Keeping pedestrians safe is the duty of everyone. Both pedestrians as well as drivers can do things to reduce the number of accidents that occur.
Pedestrians should follow the rules of the road. This means they should opt for crossing the street at intersections or marked crosswalks. When the intersection is equipped with a traffic light, they should only cross when the signal indicates it is their turn. When sidewalks are available they should be used rather than walking in the street. If sidewalks are not present, pedestrians should make sure that they are facing traffic as they walk.
Paying attention to their surroundings is also important for pedestrians. Just as distracted drivers are more likely to be involved in crashes so too are pedestrians who are distracted. Using a cellphone to talk or text or wearing headphones could lead a pedestrian to fail to see or hear a car coming.
When walking at night the clothes a pedestrian wears could make a difference. Dressing in clothing made of reflective materials or that is light colored can help drivers to more easily see a pedestrian. In addition carrying a flashlight can be beneficial.
Drivers need to pay attention as well. If they hit and injure a pedestrian they could face a personal injury lawsuit. Via a lawsuit of this nature the injured pedestrian could seek compensation from the driver for their injuries. A similar lawsuit could also be filed by the family of a pedestrian who is killed after being struck by a car.