Runner Seriously Injured After Being Struck By Runaway Tire
Imagine you are out for your morning run – the last thing you expect is to have to dodge tires to avoid getting hit. This is exactly the situation a local runner faced, however, as she ran along the Rickenbacker Causeway. Unfortunately, the woman was not so lucky as to be able to get out of harm’s way. A tractor trailer that was driving on the Rickenbacker near the runner lost two tires and one of them ended up hitting the woman. The driver of the tractor trailer was unaware that the tires had even been lost, but the runner suffered serious injuries as a result of the incident.
Initiatives Raising Awareness Of Vulnerable Road Users And Safety Issues
While this was certainly a bizarre, freak accident, accidents involving pedestrians occur quite frequently, often with tragic results. Florida attempts to protect pedestrians, who are classified as one of several groups regarded as vulnerable road users. Along with bike riders and motorcyclists, pedestrians are involved in a significant amount of accidents every year in Florida, and a large number of these accidents result in fatalities. The Miami-Dade area has the distinction of having the most pedestrian deaths in the state. Florida’s efforts to raise awareness of the unique safety needs and concerns of pedestrians have included campaigns and programs led by members of a variety of organizations in cooperation with the Florida Department of Transportation.
A Driver’s Responsibility When Pedestrian Accidents Occur
Despite the ever-increasing efforts to raise awareness of pedestrian safety issues – all vulnerable road users, for that matter – accident still do and will continue to occur. When they do, it is most important that victims get the medical attention they need as quickly as possible. Florida Code Section 316.027 sets forth the responsibility of the driver involved in a crash with a vulnerable road user to stop at the accident site. The driver must then provide contact information to the injured person and help to ensure that the injured person receives the medical attention they need; the willful violation of this requirement is a felony of the third degree. Clearly the State of Florida takes the safety of a vulnerable road user quite seriously, as it should – in a state with such a high percentage of outdoor activities to be enjoyed, the importance of the safety of those who choose to enjoy them should never be minimized.
Let Us Assist You Today
When accidents occur, your first call should be to Boone & Davis in Fort Lauderdale. You may be entitled to recover for your injuries under Florida law. Our legal professionals will sit down with you to discuss the facts of your case and give you an honest and complete explanation of your rights and responsibilities and what you may expect to happen through the legal process. Our attorneys have obtained successful results for their clients and will work hard to do the same for you. Contact us now by phone at 954.556.5260 or via our website to schedule your no cost, no obligation appointment with our truck accident attorneys so that we may help you get started towards a full recovery today.
