Just last week, I posted a blog regarding the high incidence of pedestrian accidents in crosswalks. We are all at risk when we step on the road? Whether it's for a leisurely stroll, jog or bike ride. Just yesterday, the Academy Award winning actress Reese Witherspoon was involved in a pedestrian accident. She was struck by a car while out for a run along a street in Santa Monica, California. The actress was treated for minor injuries and released from the hospital. She was entering a pedestrian crosswalk when she was hit by an automobile. Police say the driver was an 84-year-old woman. The driver was ticketed for failure to yield in a designated crosswalk to a pedestrian.

As a Chicago personal injury attorney, it is a known fact that marked crosswalks have a high incidence of pedestrian accidents. Although, a marked crosswalk is designated to serve as a pedestrian safety devices, many accidents occur in them. In most jurisdictions the pedestrian has the right-of-way when within the designated crosswalk. Research has shown that pedestrian have a strong sense of security when entering a crosswalk. Many pedestrians have a false sense of security when using a marked crosswalk. In many cases due to this heightened feel of security, pedestrians put themselves in a dangerous position with respect to vehicles. Often times the pedestrian thinks in their head that the car will stop. What driver wouldn't stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk? Pedestrians need to utilize due caution when entering a crosswalk.

Source: Actress Witherspoon hit by car, not seriously injured, CNN, September 07, 2011