Boston Injury Lawyer Blog
A 77-year-old Cape Cod man died early this morning in a traffic collision on Lower County Road in Dennis, Massachusetts.
Albert Alissi died at the accident scene after being hit by a 1999 Mercury Sable being driven by Dennisport resident Todd Jenkins, 42. Jenkins then hit a hydrant, which caused a flood and a sinkhole.
Jenkins was treated at Cape Cod Hospital where he was later released.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that 4,881 pedestrians were killed in traffic collisions in 2005, while 64,000 others were injured.
The Federal Highway Administration says that the chances of dying in a pedestrian accident grow as a person gets older. An elderly person’s hearing and eyesight might become worse, their reflexes may become slower, and they may be unable to walk quickly.
Safety.com offers a number of safety tips for pedestrians, including:
• Walk on sidewalks. If you must walk on a road with no sidewalks, walk facing traffic.
• Cross only at street corners, preferably those with a traffic light, and within marked crosswalks.
• Wear bright-colored or reflective clothing, especially if you have to walk at night.
• Avoid walking in the dark and during bad weather such as snow, rain, ice, or fog.
• Look left, right, and left again before crossing the street, and be on the lookout for turning or backing vehicles.
• Make eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of a vehicle. Stay out of the driver’s blind spot.
• Learn the proper use of “Walk/Don’t Walk” signals.
• Walk and cross with other pedestrians whenever possible.
• Wear proper and well-maintained footwear.
Injuries in pedestrian accidents can be catastrophic if not fatal. Injuries can include spinal injuries, brain injuries, burn injuries, and broken bones. If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian crash, you should speak to a personal injury attorney immediately to see if the liable party can be held civilly and financially accountable for your recovery costs.
A good personal injury lawyer can also file a wrongful death claim for you if your loved one was a pedestrian killed in a traffic accident.
Pedestrian Crash Facts,
Walkinginfo.org
Focusing on the Senior Pedestrian, Federal Highway Administration
Street Smarts for Senior Pedestrians, Safety.com
Related Web Resource:
Pedestrians: 2005 Traffic Safety Facts, NHTSA
In Massachusetts, the personal injury law firm of Altman & Altman LLP has successfully represented many persons in pedestrian accident and wrongful death cases throughout the state.
Contact Altman & Altman LLP today and ask for your free case evaluation. We can discuss your options with you and deal with any other parties involved.
Cape Man Hit, Killed By Car, WCBVTV.com, August 21, 2007
