Public Transportation And Traffic Safety Concerns
Taking public transportation usually takes the a lot of the worry and stress out of trying to deal with traffic and the hassle of getting around. You leave the details up to the bus or taxi driver, you avoid putting wear and tear on your car, and alleviate much of the concern of being involved in an auto accident and risking damage to your vehicle. All you have to do is wait for your ride at the pre-arranged taxi pick-up location or bus stop, right? As one elderly woman recently learned, you can just as quickly be involved in an auto accident by doing just that. While waiting for a city bus in Miami, a wheelchair-bound woman was struck by a car that hit also hit a building and a bus stop bench as well as knocking her out of her wheelchair. Miraculously, she suffered only minor injuries as a result of the incident that could have easily caused far more serious damage and injuries and, according to the report, the driver was not facing any charges.
Pedestrian Accidents
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2015 Traffic Safety Facts publication defines, for its purposes, a pedestrian as anyone who is involved in a vehicle traffic crash who is on foot walking, running, jogging or hiking, or who is sitting or lying down. It also notes the shocking and sobering statistic that in 2013 a pedestrian was killed every two hours in a traffic crash, and every eight minutes a pedestrian suffered an injury as a result of a traffic crash. The Pedestrian & Bicycle Information Center, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, notes that Florida had one of the highest rates of pedestrian deaths in the country, second only to California. Their website notes that there has been a slight decrease in these types of accidents in recent years; this may be a result of fewer people who are walking in general or to improvements in education and behavior. As part of their initiative to reduce pedestrian accidents, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center’s Pedestrian Safety Workshop focuses on the special circumstances and concerns surrounding older adults. In states such as Florida that have a higher elderly population, these types of programs may be especially helpful in seeing the trend of the decrease in pedestrian accidents continue.
Let Us Assist You Today
If you have been involved in an auto accident , whether as a pedestrian or otherwise, and have suffered personal injuries as a result, contact Boone & Davis to learn what recourse you may have and how to recover damages you have suffered. Our legal professionals will review the facts of your case and help you to understand your rights and responsibilities under Florida law. In stressful times following an accident, you want to be able to turn to someone you can trust to provide competent and reliable guidance, and the attorneys at our firm have the experience with all types of personal injury cases to confidently and compassionately answer all your questions. Reach out to us by phone at 954.556.5260 or by visiting us online to schedule your complimentary consultation so we can help you get started today.
