Pedestrian Accidents

Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

In 2008, Florida held the second position in number of fatal pedestrian accidents, only trailing California; there were also more pedestrian traffic fatalities per 100,000 population in Florida than any other state. With 490 fatal pedestrian injuries—more than New York and Pennsylvania combined—in the state during 2008, Florida is a place where pedestrians need to take extreme caution. If you're a pedestrian in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, or West Palm Beach who has been struck by a vehicle, you're not alone; contact the personal injury attorneys at Levine & Glassman today to speak to a skilled attorney directly about your case.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to studies performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the following interesting statistics presented themselves in 2008.

• On average, a pedestrian was killed once every two hours throughout the nation; one was injured once every 8 minutes.
• 69,000 pedestrians were injured throughout the nation, with 4,378 total pedestrian deaths.
• Only 24% of pedestrian fatalities occurred at intersections. Most deaths occurred apart from them, where drivers weren't expecting a stop and their speeds were higher.
• Urban areas sported the highest death counts (72%) due to the increased driver and pedestrian traffic, but rural areas showed a higher death-to-injury ratio due to higher impact speeds.
• Residents over age 65 showed the highest fatality rate of any age group at 18% of all pedestrian fatalities.
• One fifth (20%) of all children age 5-9 killed in traffic accidents were pedestrians.
• 70% of all pedestrian fatalities occurred at night (between 4 p.m. and 4 a.m.) with 34% of deaths occurring on Friday and Saturday.
• 17% of fatal pedestrian crashes involved drivers under the influence of alcohol, while 40% of them involved inebriated pedestrians.

Those statistics give us a general idea of the landscape pedestrians face in dealing with motorists. Walking can be a dangerous endeavor, but being careful and attentive will help you stay out of trouble.

How do pedestrians get involved in accidents?

Often, pedestrian accidents are caused by a combination of factors, particularly driver attention and speed. Some of the most common factors involved in a pedestrian accident include:

• Inattentive / Pre-occupied Drivers
• Driver's Failure to Observe Speed Limit
• Driver's Failure to Concede Right of Way
• Driver's Failure to Observe Traffic Signals
• Poor Roadway Lighting / Reduced Visibility

Although there are many driver-oriented factors that can be at fault for a pedestrian crash, you can take steps as a pedestrian to reduce your chances of being struck by a motorist. Being proactive about your safety can help you prevent the occurrence of an accident to begin with. Some of the safety tips to keep in mind while walking include:

• Be careful crossing a side street where drivers are likely to be turning right. Since most intersections allow right turns on red, drivers could be entering that section of the road even when you have a walk signal. Always check for this before you enter the crosswalk.
• If possible, use a crosswalk. Drivers are required to yield the right of way to you at crosswalk or intersection. This doesn't mean you should abandon safety, however. Always look both ways before crossing a street, even at an intersection.
• Increase your visibility at night by wearing reflective gear or carrying a flashlight.
• If no sidewalk is available and you must walk in the street, walk facing traffic so you can see what's coming.

Being alert and attentive while you're walking can significantly reduce the chance of an injury due to being struck by a motorist.

What kind of injuries do these accidents cause?

A vehicle striking a pedestrian can cause serious injuries, even at relatively low speeds. A vehicle's weight and frame contribute to a significant amount of potential damage that can be done to a person. Some of the common major injuries that can occur in a pedestrian crash are:

• Brain Injury / Concussions
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Paralysis
• Paraplegia
• Quadriplegia / Tetraplegia
• Fractured / Broken Bones

Most injuries in pedestrian accidents occur from contact with the vehicle, but almost as many occur from contact with the ground or other objects. If the initial impact doesn't injure you, the resulting fall could still cause you fairly significant damage. Most vehicular damage occurs near the bottom of the body, so head and spine injuries are often a result of ground contact.

When a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle, contact is usually made with the front of vehicle. This means the bumper will make first contact followed shortly thereafter by the hood. Generally, vehicle contact occurs between the knees and thighs on an adult and between the thighs and torso on a child. Larger vehicles, like trucks and SUVs, will strike higher points on the body.

What can I do if I've been injured?

The first thing to do is gather information. On the scene of the accident, you will want to contact the police, gain information about the driver, and find witnesses who can substantiate your side of the story for when the police arrive.

Nearly one in five pedestrian accidents are hit-and-run encounters, in which case each of these things is even more important. Obtaining driver information can be difficult—especially when you've just been hit by a car—but you may be able to find a witness who saw the accident and took down the information. Contacting the police and giving them the necessary information will also help find the individual who caused your injury.

The next step is to contact an attorney. Having experienced representation on your side will make the process of dealing with your injuries, insurance companies, and medical expenses progress much more smoothly. No one wants to file reports and deal with paperwork when they're injured. Let the attorneys at Levine & Glassman help you work through your case details and set your personal injury lawsuit in motion.

Levine & Glassman, P.A. - Florida Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Being a pedestrian can seem like a major disadvantage when it comes to the road. A pedestrian lacks the speed and durability of a vehicle. Vehicles are piloted by people, though, and people make mistakes. If you've been struck and injured by a vehicle, call or contact the personal injury attorneys at Levine & Glassman today to set up a free consultation.

Pedestrian Accident Information Center

WalkingInfo.org - Site devoted the promotion of a pedestrian-friendly world

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety - Independent organization that tries to reduce the losses of roadway crashes

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - Governmental organization dedicated to highway and roadway safety