Pedestrians are always at risk when they take a walk

Pedestrians are always at risk when they take a walk

One of the best things about living in Portland is that fresh air and a moderate climate make it the perfect place for taking a walk.  Sometimes it’s for pleasure, and other times it’s for health and exercise.  But there’s no denying it is a popular activity among locals.

The vast majority of the time, being a pedestrian is completely safe, especially when you take note of your surroundings, and pay attention to bike riders, automobiles and other hazards you may encounter.  And while most people will never be involved in a pedestrian accident, the fact is that every time you take a walk, you do accept that you’re going to encounter hazards along the way.  Some of these might include:

  • Slippery sidewalks and streets
  • Poor lighting in common areas, on trails and in parks
  • Sidewalks and stairways that are in disrepair
  • Unsafe areas in and around construction zones
  • Inattentive or aggressive drivers, bikers and joggers
  • Tripping hazards such as garbage and debris piled up on public walkways

Even if you’re cautious, you can still become the victim of a pedestrian accident through no fault of your own.  When this happens, you need to protect your rights and seek compensation for injuries and other expenses related to your incident.

An experienced Portland pedestrian accident attorney will be your greatest asset in helping you get full recovery for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and other money you are entitled to.  The most important thing you can do is to retain an attorney as early on as possible so that they can keep you from making mistakes in dealing with insurance companies, doctors and others who may be involved in your case.

If your accident took place on private property, then an attorney may be able to leverage your case under the guidance of premises liability laws as well.

No matter what the situation, drivers, property owners, bikers, joggers, motorcycle riders and anyone else who shares an open space with members of the walking public has a responsibility to maintain a certain level of safety when they are out and about or face the consequences of their negligent actions.

Dawson Law Group serves Portland and surrounding Oregon communities.

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