Bad Roads a Leading Cause of Pedestrian Deaths

Florida is at the top of another list. Unfortunately, this time the list isn’t great news for pedestrians. According to information in a recent study, Florida has been named as the state with the highest number of pedestrian wrongful deaths due to car accidents in the United States. Surprisingly, pedestrians in Parkland, Pembroke Pines and Fort Lauderdale are four times more likely to die because of a car accident than in places like New York or Boston.

While the study states that the primary blame for this is that pedestrians are distracted by their phones, other factors that come into play are crossing outside of the marked crosswalks and being intoxicated.

Additional Reasons Behind High Pedestrian Deaths in Florida

The older roadways in Florida, which were never designed to accommodate active populations, typically play a role in pedestrian accidents. This is especially the case since many of these roads lack pedestrian-friendly crosswalks and sidewalks. In most cases, if a pedestrian wishes to cross the road in these situations, they have to walk pretty far to gain access to a crosswalk. Unfortunately, due to this significant distance, many pedestrians choose to cross where they are, rather than finding a crosswalk, putting them in great danger of being hit.

Helping the Pedestrian Accident Problem

The majority of pedestrian-centric cities in Florida have made efforts to make roadways safer for pedestrians. They limit the width of some residential streets to just 25 feet, which provides pedestrians more space to avoid traffic. Additionally, some intersections are designed to be harder for drivers to make high-speed turns and crosswalk signals have been retimed, allowing pedestrians more time to get across the road.

Road Conditions Leading to Pedestrian Accidents

While it is still important for motorists and pedestrians to proceed with caution when on the road, many times the fault of an accident can be the condition of the actual road.

For example, potholes and other road damage can lead to cars swerving and hitting pedestrians accidentally. Also, poorly designed roads may make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians around a curve or on a hill. Add this to the fact that may drivers and pedestrians are distracted, and it is evident why the number of car-related pedestrian deaths is so high.

Why Hiring a Lawyer is Beneficial

If you are ever involved in an accident because you were hit by a car, then you need to seek legal representation. A personal injury lawyer in Florida can review the facts of your case and investigate the accident scene. They can determine who was at fault in the accident and help you get the compensation you deserve for the injuries and damages you sustained.

If you have questions or need help with your personal injury claim, contact the attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez by calling 561-660-9421. You can speak with someone who understands the laws of your case and who can help you understand your rights.