It is becoming more dangerous to be a pedestrian in Florida and other states. Recent studies show that pedestrian accidents are occurring more frequently and becoming deadlier. This means you do not necessarily have to walk long distances to be in danger. You may be at risk by simply crossing the street or walking across a parking lot to your car.
Injuries you may suffer in a pedestrian accident can be extensive and life-changing. The trend indicates that you have a higher chance of catastrophic or even fatal injuries than in recent years. If you do suffer injuries as a pedestrian, you have the right to seek compensation from every possible source.
Stay safe!
In the past decade, pedestrian accidents have increased almost 50 percent, and more often, those crashes have deadly results. According to analysts, the jump in fatalities is because there are more SUVs and vehicles with high horsepower on the roads, which can cause greater damage, especially if they are traveling at high speeds. In fact, it may shock you to learn that the number of pedestrians struck by SUVs increased over 80 percent in the past few years.
Some other facts about the increase in pedestrian accidents include the following:
- You are more likely to be the victim of a pedestrian accident at night.
- The largest increases in fatal pedestrian accidents occurred in urban areas.
- Pedestrian accidents occur most often on arterial roads, which is a road that directs traffic to freeways.
- You are most vulnerable if you attempt to cross an arterial road or any road in mid-block instead of at an intersection.
Taking the proper precautions when walking at night, especially crossing the street, is one way to decrease the chances of becoming a victim of an accident.
Who is responsible?
Because many roads are not for pedestrian traffic, more cities are exploring ways to make them safer for pedestrians. You may notice the addition of specialized crosswalks with flashing yellow or red lights. Some arterial roads or highways may include medians, so you do not have to race across multiple lanes of traffic going in different directions. The addition of sidewalks may be a relief to you if you have had harrowing experiences walking along the shoulder of a busy road.
Nevertheless, all the improvements will make little difference if drivers are speeding and distracted. In fact, you may do everything possible to remain safe on foot and still face a long recovery from injuries suffered in an accident. If this happens to you, there are legal resources available to help you.