You may have read our recent post about the bill approved by the Colorado House of Representatives. You’ll be happy to hear that Gov. John Hickenlooper signed the bill into law June 6.
This law will take effect on July 1, doubling the statute of limitations from five years to 10 years. The government has been taking action in this issue due to the staggering number of hit and run accidents in Colorado. These accidents have left pedestrians and drivers with serious, sometimes fatal, injuries.
Not only is the state government taking action on this statewide issue, but the general public is as well using social media. Using the hashtag #JustStopCO, bystanders are posting images and news about hit-and-run car accidents in Colorado.
At Sears & Associates, P.C., we take the accidents and injuries quite seriously. The last thing we want is for you to fall victim to a hit-and-run accident. Unfortunately, we are constantly at risk, especially as pedestrians. According to 2012 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a pedestrian is killed every two hours and injured every seven minutes, on average.
With this knowledge, the NHTSA provides safety tips for pedestrians. These are the three easiest tips to follow to be a safe pedestrian:
- Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available. If they aren’t available, walk facing the traffic.
- Wear bright clothing during the day. At night, use a flashlight and/or wear reflective materials.
- Only cross the street at crosswalks and traffic lights. If crosswalks are not available, cross in an area that is well lit.
If you become a victim of a hit and run accident, be sure to contact an experienced personal injury attorney for the help you need.
What are some other important safety tips for pedestrians you believe are worth sharing?
