Pedestrian Injury Risks in South Florida
If you live in South Florida, you are familiar with its beautiful views, vibrant communities, and bustling streets. While all of the activity in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and the surrounding areas brings a lot of pleasure, it also creates accident risks for individuals who travel by foot. Pedestrian injury risks are connected to traffic congestion, distracted driving, and other factors.
By raising awareness of the dangers pedestrians face and holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions, everyone in Florida can work towards creating safer streets. Talk to a Boca Raton personal injury lawyer to learn more.
Heightened Pedestrian Dangers in Florida
While the Sunshine State has many lifestyle benefits, it is an unfortunate reality that Florida also ranks among the states with the highest number of pedestrian accidents in the country. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, pedestrian fatalities accounted for a significant portion of traffic-related deaths in recent years.
Every accident has its own unique details to review, but several factors contribute to heightened pedestrian injury risks in Florida cities.
- Busy intersections. Areas with heavy traffic volumes, such as well-traveled intersections, are prime locations for pedestrian accidents, especially if drivers fail to yield to pedestrians or disobey traffic signals.
- High-speed roads. If a street has a higher speed limit, it poses greater risks to pedestrians as collisions at higher speeds are more likely to result in severe injuries should an accident occur.
- Tourist areas. Popular tourist destinations can experience a higher risk of accidents, particularly if drivers are unfamiliar with the area or distracted by sightseeing.
- Areas that are poorly illuminated. Dimly lit streets or areas with inadequate street lighting can make pedestrians less visible to drivers, increasing the likelihood of collisions.
Of course, accidents are unexpected events that can happen in both low and high-risk areas. Pedestrians and bicyclists need to be aware of their environment wherever they are.
Steps to Promote Safe Walking
While pedestrians often have the right of way, there are additional steps they can take to reduce their risk of injury, such as always crossing the street at marked crosswalks and obeying traffic signals, even if it means walking a bit further to reach a safe crossing point. It is also important for pedestrians to avoid distractions so they are aware of approaching vehicles.
And if you are a pedestrian crossing the street, try to establish eye contact to ensure drivers are aware of your presence. Many also find it is helpful to wear bright or reflective clothing, especially when walking at night, to make yourself more visible to drivers.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, talk to a seasoned Boca Raton personal injury lawyer. Doing so means you can protect your rights and pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Were you struck by a vehicle when walking in Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, or Pompano Beach? Talk to the attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez about your damage recovery options. Call 561-660-9421 today.
