Floridians are lucky that their mild winters mean that it is easy and pleasant to take a walk on sunny days, whether the walk is to get from Point A to Point B, or whether it is simply to get some fresh air and exercise. However, as one report found, taking a walk in the Sunshine State can easily lead to auto-pedestrian accidents.
The auto-pedestrian accident problem in Florida
According to a Governors Highway Safety Association report, the year 2019 saw an estimated 6,590 pedestrian fatalities — the greatest number of pedestrian fatalities in over 30 years. In fact, Florida is one of five states that combined accounted for 47% of all pedestrian fatalities in 2019. Across the nation in 2018 6,227 individuals died in auto-pedestrian accidents.
Why the uptick in auto-pedestrian accidents?
The report found that the majority of fatal auto-pedestrian accidents took place on local roads rather than intersections and at night rather than during the day. This implies that there is a need for safer road crossing at non-intersection locations and a need to increase the visibility of pedestrians and vehicles.
However, it is ultimately up to motorists to uphold their duty of care and practice pedestrian awareness, as well as avoid other negligent behaviors, including driving above the posted speed limit, distracted driving, drunk driving and drowsy driving.
Pursuing compensation following an auto-pedestrian accident
If you are injured in an auto-pedestrian accident, or if a loved one was killed in an auto-pedestrian accident, the collision could have a major impact on your life for years to come. Some people in such situations choose to pursue financial compensation to cover the many expenses they suffered due to the collision. This post does not offer legal advice, so those in the Fort Lauderdale area who are the victims of an auto-pedestrian accident may want to consult with a personal injury attorney so they can learn more about their rights and options moving forward.