Pedestrian Accidents Involving Runners in Virginia

The running community is an active part of Virginia’s society. Many individuals enjoy running throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. These locations include paved, urban areas (running more in suburban and rural areas); running on trails; as well as actually running on the shoulder of the roadway. Due to the popularity of running, pedestrian accidents involving runners in Virginia are relatively common. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident while running, speak to a determined pedestrian accident attorney that could advocate for you.

Rules and Areas to Protect Pedestrians

Runners are pedestrians and have to follow the same rules of the road as other pedestrians. They are protected. Virginia has established a network of mixed paths and trails that are not accessible for motorized vehicles. In addition, path roadways that are commonly used as running routes and pathways off the main road often include marked pedestrian crossings when they cross the roadway. This is for runner’s safety to help protect them and to make sure that they have a safe place to cross the road. The runners following the rules of the road is an important consideration as well.

Areas Zoned With Running in Mind

Runners commonly run on mixed paths, sidewalks, neighborhood roads as well as rural roads, trails, things of that nature. Suburban areas are probably the most common areas that have zones with runners in mind. It is very common to see sidewalks, asphalt trails and paved trails that follow along main roads and corridors as well as neighborhood roads to provide a safe place for runners that are separate and apart from the roadway.

Often the running trails will have crosswalks. Depending on where it is and what type of trail it is, there may also be a traffic control device such is a stop sign or even a traffic light that provides safe access for runners to cross highways.

Driving Behaviors That Could Lead to Accidents

The driving behaviors that may put runners at risk of being injured in pedestrian accidents involving runners in Virginia are listed below:

• Distracted driving
• Excessive speed
• Drinking and driving
• Fatigue driving

Risky Running Behaviors To Avoid

Distracted running is running with their cell phone or headphones that drown out the level of traffic; running without conscious regard for where they are; obeying the rules of the road; running through traffic; these are all things that may put a runner at risk and are dangerous behaviors that runners have. Another dangerous behavior would be failing to obey traffic signals and not crossing at designated controlled intersections.

Steps to Take Following an Accident

Once individuals are injured in pedestrian accidents involving runners in Virginia, they should follow-up with their emergency medical provider and talk with their primary care physician in receiving the treatment necessary. If they contact law enforcement, they should follow-up with law enforcement and make sure that they are cooperative with any law enforcement investigation that may occur as a result of their running incident. A qualified pedestrian accident attorney could devote the time and resources necessary to achieving a positive outcome for them.