Friday Night New Haven Motorcycle Accident Is A Reminder For Pedestrians

Last night a pedestrian was killed on the streets of New Haven after being struck by a motorcycle.  The New Haven motorcycle accident is a sad and fresh reminder that being a pedestrian, specifically at night, can be dangerous and safety precautions should be taken by both the driver and the pedestrian.  While it is important to remember these safety tips all of the time, it especially relevant given that October has been declared National Pedestrian Safety Month by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA.)

One of the deadliest times to be a pedestrian is at dusk or when the city turns dark.  In many cases New Haven is well lit and this can be beneficial to pedestrians trying to get around the city at night, but on side streets, that are not as well lit, danger could be around every turn.  To avoid a deadly encounter with a motorcycle or a passenger vehicle you should follow some of these steps recommended by the NHTSA.

1. Always follow the rules of the road.
2. If there are sidewalks, use them.  If there are not, find a different route, especially at night.
3. It is ideal for you to cross at a crosswalk or an intersection that has traffic lights, but if this is not available cross at an intersection that is, at a bare minimum, well-lit.
4. Avoid unnecessary distractions.  Texting while walking is something that should never be done if you’d like to stay safe.
5. Do not drink or do drugs before heading out onto the streets of New Haven or any other community.  Walking while under the influence is a sure fire way to get into some difficult situations.

While the state of Connecticut has implemented some new pedestrian safety laws in the last year, these do not always protect all pedestrians from injury or death.  In fact, pedestrian deaths skyrocketed last year which was the impetus for the new law.  In the case of this New Haven motorcycle accident fault has not been determined yet, but regardless the principals of keeping each other safe throughout the city remain the same.  As a pedestrian you need to follow the above safety steps and as a driver you need to maintain a low, reasonable speed and never drive distracted.

Sadly, injuries and even deaths occur on the streets of New Haven with some level of frequency.  If you or a loved one have experienced an injury or worse, you may need an attorney to review your case.  Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will work with you protect your long-term interests.