Fatal Pedestrian Accidents In Florida
Florida’s balmy weather and many attractions make walking in the state a tempting prospect. Unfortunately, doing so can prove extremely dangerous, especially in recent years. In fact, a new report from the Governors’ Highway Safety Association found that the rate of fatal pedestrian accidents in Florida has risen by nearly 30 percent, making it the second most dangerous state in the U.S. for pedestrians.
Risk Factors
Pedestrian accidents can happen in any place where both pedestrians and motorists are present. They do, however, tend to occur more often in urban areas, where traffic is more likely to be congested and at night, when visibility is impaired. Individuals of a certain age also seem to be more at risk of being involved in a pedestrian accident, including adults over the age of 65 years old, who account for more than 20 percent of pedestrian deaths. Tragically, one in five children under the age of 15 years old who died in car accidents in 2020 were pedestrians. A lot of factors are thought to contribute to the alarming trend of increasing pedestrian fatalities in Florida, including:
- High vehicle speed;
- Larger vehicle size;
- Inferior pedestrian infrastructure; and
- Growing driver distraction.
When these factors, or another form of driver negligence contributes to or causes a pedestrian accident, the at-fault party can be held liable for the resulting damages.
Financial Compensation for Fatal Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are some of the most vulnerable road users and are more likely than vehicle occupants to sustain fatal injuries in the event of a collision. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and internal injuries, all of which can prove deadly. Unfortunately, pedestrians tend to have a more difficult time recovering damages after sustaining an injury. This is especially true in cases that involve a wrongful death, where damages will far exceed any available PIP coverage. In these instances, the surviving relatives of the accident victim can step outside the no-fault system and seek compensation directly from the at-fault party by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. If successful, claimants could recover compensation for:
- The victim’s medical bills;
- The victim’s lost income and benefits;
- The victim’s pain and suffering; and
- The family members’ emotional distress and loss of companionship.
While no amount of money can compensate a family for the untimely loss of a loved one, it can go a long way towards enabling surviving relatives to pay off medical bills and household expenses, while they go through the grieving process. Call our office today to learn more about how an experienced lawyer can help with your own legal claim.
Helping Tampa Accident Victims for Nearly 40 Years
If you lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident and have questions about how to hold the at-fault party accountable, don’t hesitate to call the experienced and compassionate Tampa wrongful death lawyers at Anderson & Anderson for advice. Set up a free consultation by calling 813-251-0072 or by completing one of our online contact forms.
Sources:
ghsa.org/resources/news-releases/GHSA/Ped-Spotlight-Full-Report22
state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0600-0699/0627/Sections/0627.736.html
