Florida Streets May Still be Dangerous for Pedestrians During the COVID-19 Emergency
Although pedestrian traffic has hit an all-time low in Florida due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida remains a dangerous place for pedestrians. In fact, according to the Miami Herald, Florida has one of the highest rates of pedestrian accidents in the nation. Struggling to pay for medical bills after being injured in a pedestrian accident is the last thing that many of us need to worry about during this difficult time, making it especially important for pedestrians who have been injured in car crashes, to speak with an experienced Fort Lauderdale auto accident lawyer who can help them bear the burden of seeking compensation for their losses.
Poor Road Design
In recent years, safety advocates have begun to point to the design of Florida’s roads when attempting to determine the cause of the state’s extremely high pedestrian accident rate. Specifically, critics point to the fact that while streets were designed to be more reliable and better for cars, they were not designed with pedestrians in mind, even at crosswalks and intersections. For instance, wider roads have also become increasingly popular across the state, leaving many pedestrians to cross multiple lanes of busy traffic, significantly increasing their risk of injury.
Poor lighting at crosswalks and intersections (especially on roads with less traffic) also contributes to hundreds of pedestrian accidents every year. These crossings are critical to pedestrian safety, as around two-thirds of all pedestrian accidents take place at night when visibility is poorest, meaning that safe crosswalks are often the only thing that stands between a pedestrian and a careless driver. Not all pedestrian accidents, however, can be attributed to improper road design, but can unfortunately be linked to negligence on the part of a motorist.
Motorist Negligence
Whether due to the violation of a traffic law, intoxication, or simple carelessness, negligence on the part of a motorist can have devastating consequences for pedestrians who do not have the benefit of seat belts or airbags. For these reasons, injuries sustained by pedestrians in these types of accidents tend to be particularly devastating, resulting in expensive medical bills, job loss, and in some cases, permanent disability. Often, the best chance that injured pedestrians when faced with these costs is to seek compensation from the at-fault driver who caused the accident in the first place.
Consult an Experienced Florida Car Accident Lawyer
If you were recently injured in a collision with a motorist in Fort Lauderdale or somewhere else in Florida, you may be feeling confused as to your legal options going forward. Having an experienced attorney on your side can make all the difference in clarifying your legal options and improving your likelihood of success, so if you or a loved one were injured in a pedestrian accident, please don’t hesitate to call the experienced car accident lawyers at Boone & Davis to learn more about your options for potential recovery. Our initial consultations are offered free of charge, so please don’t hesitate to call our office at 954-566-9919 or to send us an online message with a description of your case today.
Resources:
safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/other_topics/fhwasa09027/resources/Florida%20Pedestrian%20Facilities%20Planning%20and%20Design%20Handbook.pdf
miamiherald.com/news/local/article224923045.html
https://www.booneanddavislaw.com/the-risk-factors-of-drowsy-driving/
