Pedestrian safety has become a growing concern in communities across the country, and a recent pedestrian accident at Forest Hills station in Boston serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers people face when walking near traffic.
On Oct. 12, Glenn Inghram lost his life when an MBTA bus struck him in a crosswalk outside the Forest Hills busway, according to StreetsblogMass. This incident has galvanized neighbors to demand immediate safety improvements for the area – a call that underscores the urgency of addressing longstanding pedestrian safety issues.
StreetsblogMass reports that the neighborhood’s call for action did not go unnoticed. Boston’s Chief of Streets, Jascha Franklin-Hodge, responded with a promise to make significant short-term safety improvements near the accident site.
Tragic accident puts focus on pedestrian safety
The city said it planned to implement a fully protected pedestrian signal phase at Tower Street, which will stop all vehicular movement while pedestrians are crossing. This measure directly addresses the dangerous signal configuration that allowed both pedestrians and vehicles to navigate the crosswalk simultaneously – an issue that likely contributed to Inghram’s death.
While making signal improvements can reduce the risk to pedestrians, driver negligence is often the biggest factor in serious and fatal pedestrian accidents. Drivers can do their part to avoid striking pedestrians sharing the road. Here are tips to keep in mind when pedestrians are sharing the road.
How drivers can prevent pedestrian injuries and fatalities
- Stay alert and avoid distractions: Keep your full attention on the road. Avoid using your phone, eating, or multitasking while driving. Distracted driving significantly increases the risk of hitting a pedestrian.
- Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks: Always stop for pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks. Failing to yield not only endangers lives but may also result in legal liability.
- Follow speed limits, especially in pedestrian zones: Speeding reduces reaction time and increases the severity of accidents. Obey posted speed limits, particularly in areas near schools, parks, and residential neighborhoods.
- Be extra cautious in poor visibility: Drive slowly and use headlights in low-light conditions such as nighttime, fog, rain, or snow. Always be prepared to stop if pedestrians are harder to see.
- Make eye contact with pedestrians: Making eye contact ensures that both the driver and the pedestrian are aware of each other’s intentions, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings that can lead to devastating collisions.
Seeking legal help after being hit by a car and injured
If you were injured or a loved one died in a Boston pedestrian accident, contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone right away. Our attorneys are strong advocates for pedestrians injured in accidents or families grieving after a death due to negligence.
With our pedestrian accident attorneys on your side, you will have an advocate who can investigate the accident to establish fault by analyzing evidence such as police reports, surveillance footage, and witness statements. This helps identify liable parties, whether it’s a negligent driver, government entity, or defective roadway design.
Let our dedicated legal team handle all the communication with the insurance companies, which ensures you are not pressured into accepting an unfair settlement that doesn't come close to covering the full extent of your losses. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and, in wrongful death cases, funeral costs and emotional losses.
Navigating the legal process after a pedestrian accident can be overwhelming for victims and families. At the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone, we can manage court filings, deadlines, and negotiations, offering you peace of mind. If necessary, we can file a wrongful death claim to provide financial relief and accountability.
Contact us today to see how we can help you. There are no obligations, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. Tell them you mean business!