Knoxville Personal Injury Attorney Deno Cole wants pedestrians to avoid personal injuries

Knoxville Personal Injury Attorney Deno Cole looks out for your safety.

With school about to start, Knoxville Personal Injury Attorney Deno Cole knows that means an increase in pedestrian activity in the community. This also means an increase in the risk of pedestrian injuries due to motorists’ inattention to foot traffic in the area, pedestrians failing to use caution, or both.

Pedestrian Safety

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration notes pedestrian fatalities comprise approximately 12 percent of all traffic fatalities in the country every year.  In addition, another 59,000 pedestrians are injured in roadway accidents.  In Tennessee, 46 pedestrians have been killed on state roadways in just the first few months of 2013.  That’s 11 more than in the same amount of time in 2012.

Who is most at risk?  

1. Children - In 2010, nearly one in every five children between the ages of 5 and 9 who were killed in traffic crashes was a pedestrian. 
2. Drivers and pedestrians who are alcohol-impaired - Alcohol-impairment—either for the driver or for the pedestrian—was reported in 47% of the traffic crashes that resulted in pedestrian death. 
3. Older adults - Pedestrians ages 65 and older accounted for 19% of all pedestrian deaths and an estimated 11% of all pedestrians injured in 2010.

Who has the right of way?

In Tennessee, pedestrians have the right of way at all intersections and driveways. Pedestrians do, however, have to act responsibly, making sure to use pedestrian signals and sidewalks where available. When crossing at any point other than a marked crosswalk or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, pedestrians must yield the right of way to all motor vehicles on the roadway.

Pedestrians should always use caution when walking in areas with high motor vehicle traffic. The Tennessee Department of Transportation recommends pedestrians

• Look both ways before attempting to cross a highway
• Keep a timely lookout for approaching motor vehicle traffic
• Walk facing traffic on roadways where there is no sidewalk and walk as far from the roadway as possible 

Safe Routes to School

Keeping our kids safe as they head back to school is a community priority and a statewide initiative. Safe Routes to School, a federally-funded program, provides funds to state, local, regional, and nonprofit agencies to create programs with a focus on the benefits of children walking and biking to school.

Despite every effort to keep pedestrians safe, accidents do happen and people do suffer injuries as the result of a careless motorist or a malfunctioning traffic light or some other cause. If you or your loved one is injured while walking, don’t assume it was your fault or that you have no recourse.

Deno Cole and his skilled team of professionals at the McGehee and Cole Law Firm have the knowledge and expertise to assist you with your personal injury. Dedicated to achieving the best outcome for his clients, with Deno Cole on your side, you will come out on top.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about my personal injury practice in Knoxville, Tennessee. Remember, I am here for you to bring peace of mind and protect your best interest.
Deno Cole
Personal Injury Attorney in Knoxville
www.denocole.com