Traveling on Foot Can be Catastrophic in Florida
With the mild weather and sunshine filled days it is no wonder that Florida is a place where people love to be outside. However, the Sunshine State is also known as one of the worst places for pedestrian accidents. According to accident reports between 2008 and 2017, pedestrian deaths have been steadily on the rise. During the 10 year span, there were 5,433 deaths. This is an average of 2.73 deaths per 100,000 people. The national average? Only 1.55 deaths per 100,000.
The Dangerous by Design report showed that some 50,000 pedestrians were struck and killed by vehicles in the decade prior to 2017 and of those, a whopping 11 percent occurred in Florida. These staggering statistics show that although heading out on foot may be good for your health, it can also be a hazardous way to get around.
Dangerous Areas for Pedestrians
Pedestrian accidents have always been a concern for traffic safety officials, and it’s no wonder why. Traveling by foot leaves people so much more vulnerable to injuries and deaths when involved in accidents where the other involved parties are in a motor vehicle. Recent statistics show the dangers of such travel are only getting worse. Deaths due to motor vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents have spiked over 35 percent in the past decade. Regions with the highest pedestrian danger index include the following:
- Orlando, Kissimmee, and Sanford
- Palm Bay, Titusville, and Melbourne
- Deltona, Ormond Beach, and Daytona Beach
- Bradenton, North Port, and Sarasota
- Lakeland and Winter Haven
- Jacksonville
- Fort Myers and Cape Coral
- Petersburg, Tampa, and Clearwater
While the Miami-Dade area wasn’t on the list, it did have nearly 1,550 pedestrian deaths over the decade long period, the highest number of pedestrian deaths in the U.S. between 2008 and 2017.
Pedestrian Accident Lawsuits
If you or your loved one has suffered serious injuries or died due to a pedestrian vs. motor vehicle accident in Florida, there are a few ways that you can recover damages for your lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your legal options.
Your attorney will review the personal injury protection insurance coverage, or PIP, that all drivers are required to have based on Florida’s insurance laws. Of course, pedestrians are not required to have this coverage, however, many of them still have this coverage if they also have a vehicle. If you do not have your own PIP coverage, the law allows for the PIP coverage of the driver who struck you to be extended to you.
Unfortunately, most PIP coverage is only $10,000. If you have suffered extensive injuries, this clearly is not going to take care of all of your expenses. Your attorney can help you research other options for obtaining additional compensation for your injuries and losses.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you have suffered injuries as a pedestrian, contact the West Palm Beach pedestrian accident attorneys at Pike & Lustig, LLP today and let us help you get the compensation that you are entitled to. We are eager to assist you today.
Resource:
miamiherald.com/news/local/article224923045.html
https://www.turnpikelaw.com/pedestrian-hit-killed-by-sheriffs-deputy-in-brandon/
