If you enjoy running, you know there’s nothing like barreling down the pavement with nothing but your sneakers and your willpower. Although the endorphin rush might help you forget your worries, it’s important to keep safety in the forefront of your mind. Especially when running alone, or at night, there are a number of hazards that could result in a personal injury case. To prevent harm from drivers, pedestrians, animals, and cyclists, use the following tips to set out on the right foot.

3 Ways to Avoid a Personal Injury Case While Running

1. Do Your Research

If you’ve just moved to a new area of town or are visiting a new locale, stick to the treadmill if you’ve yet to vet the neighborhood. To gauge the safety hazards of your route, take a drive or a daytime walk through the area you plan to run in, or do some research on crime rates online. If you’re not sure whether a certain part of town is safe to run in alone, steer clear of it.

2. Make Yourself Visible

When running outdoors, you face a considerable amount of risk because of the speed at which you’re traveling. Unlike strolling pedestrians, drivers and bicyclists will have much less time to anticipate a sprinting or even jogging individual. To lower your risk of personal injury, wear light, reflective clothing, which will be illuminated by headlights instantly. If you’re running at night or in foggy or rainy weather, carry a flashlight or wear a headlamp.

3. Improve Your Awareness

While you can’t control the actions of nearby drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, you can raise your own awareness of their location and actions. To ensure you’re alert during your workout, don’t run outside unless you’ve gotten enough sleep and are properly hydrated and fed. If you’re on a private trail guarded from vehicles, you can wear one earbud or keep your headphones on a low volume. If you’re running in poor visibility or in an urban setting, avoid listening to music at all, so you can hear tires, horns, and other warning sounds.

If you were hurt while on a run, Ibold & O'Brien will be proud to help you devise and argue a personal injury case. Since 1980, they’ve been offering a wide range of legal services to clients in Ohio’s Geauga and Ashtabula counties. From DUI defenses to estate planning, they will be your legal advisors throughout life’s highs and lows. For more information on their personal injury services, visit their website, or call their Chardon location at (440) 285-3511.