It seems like more bicycle lanes and pedestrian walkways are being added to our city streets every day in the Twin Cities, and it’s great to see that more people are staying active and committing themselves to a healthy lifestyle. However, when more pedestrians and cyclists are on the paths and streets, it’s no surprise that the number of person vs. vehicle accidents are on the rise.
Recently, the Twin Cities took a closer look at when pedestrians and cyclists are at the greatest danger of being injured by a driver. In this blog, we take a closer look at the most dangerous times to be running or cycling, and we explain how you can seek compensation if you’ve been struck by a vehicle in Minnesota.
Most Dangerous Times For Pedestrians
According to the statistics, pedestrians are most likely to be hit by a vehicle during the months of October and November. This is due to a couple of different causes. For starters, there is less daylight during peak travel hours, especially after daylight savings time when it gets dark before many people make their commute home from work. Also, experts say the start of the school year means more kids are entering and exiting buses, and more parents are on the road shuttling their kids to and from school.
“When daylight saving hits, that’s when you see the spike in crashes and especially in severe crashes, the kind that are really heartbreaking,” said Bill Lindeke, a member of the St. Paul Planning Commission’s transportation committee.
Statistics show that pedestrians in Minnesota are most likely to be hit on Thursdays and Fridays between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
The Most Dangerous Times For Cyclists
Cyclists and pedestrians share many similarities in terms of when they are most likely to be hit in Minnesota. They too are most at risk between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., and they are most likely to be hit on Tuesdays and Fridays. The most dangerous months for cyclists are July and August, when many people are traveling during the warm summer months.
Other data from the research shows:
- The most dangerous hour for cyclists is between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.
- Both cyclists and pedestrians are safe on the weekends.
- When it comes to exact times, pedestrians are most likely to be struck at 5:04 p.m., 5:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
- The most dangerous intersection in the Twin Cities is at Lexington Parkway and Concordia Avenue.
Compensation For Pedestrian and Cyclists Injuries
It’s important to remember that you can receive compensation for your injuries if you were struck by a vehicle while crossing the street or cycling down a bike lane. Even if you were partly to blame for the accident, you can still seek compensation for your injuries.
If you’ve been injured by a vehicle, the first thing you want to do (besides receiving immediate medical attention if necessary) is to contact the police. They’ll be able to document everything, including witness statements and an incident report. Once this information is documented, give Hey Workers a call. We’ve helped countless pedestrians and cyclists get compensation for injuries they suffered when struck by a vehicle, and we can help you in your time of need. We’ll help walk you through the process and explain exactly what you should be doing every step of the way. With a professional in your corner, you are much more likely to maximize your compensation award.
To learn more about how we can help file a claim and win you an award, reach out to Hey Workers today.
