Pedestrian Safety Tips For Walkers, Joggers, And Everyone Else Between
Brian O Sutter
Personal Injury
Did you know that there were many pedestrian accidents in Florida in 2018 and 2019? It's true. According to the FLHSMV, in 2018, the state accounted for 9,356 pedestrian crashes. Those events caused 6,392 injuries, 1,543 incapacitating injuries, and 720 fatalities. Meanwhile, in 2019, there were 9,736 episodes here. They were responsible for 6,369 injuries, 1,524 incapacitating injuries, and 734 deaths. Yep, those were definitely a rough couple of years. Of course, 2020 and 2021 likely haven't been much better for pedestrians, but those stats aren't out yet. However, we can turn to Florida news stories to get some insight into the situation.
Just look at these headlines:
• WWSB on MSN.com: Pedestrian critically injured following crash in North Port
• Orlando Sentinel on MSN.com: Pedestrian struck, killed by vehicle in east Orange County neighborhood
• Village News: More than 700 pedestrians killed last year in accidents in Florida
• Sarasota Herald-Tribune on MSN.com: Pedestrian crossing U.S. 41 hit and killed in Bradenton crash
Thus, as you can see, being a runner, jogger, or walker in The Sunshine State can be dangerous at times. We are going to share some safety tips for pedestrians here. Hopefully, that will keep you out of harm's way. But, before getting to them, just know that if you get seriously hurt in an accident with a negligent driver, All Injuries Law Firm, P.A., is here to help. An attorney from our team can seek compensation from a negligent, reckless, or careless motorist. Then, you can use the winnings to offset medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Don't fret if a loved one passed away in such an event. A personal injury attorney from our firm can be of assistance with that too. In addition, if compensation is awarded, you'll be able to use it on the deceased party's final expenses. So, please, don't hesitate to contact us whenever the need arises. With all that out of the way, it is now time to move on to the pedestrian safety tips.
Refuse To Walk And Text
People know how dangerous it is to drive and text. The consequences of doing that have been etched into their brains. However, getting distracted while walking can be problematic too. For instance, if an individual can't unglue their eyes from a phone screen, they could easily walk out in front of and get hit by a moving car. If that happens, serious injuries might enter the picture. Then again, the person may die from getting struck as well.
Be A Sober Pedestrian
Floridians in Port Charlotte, North Port, and other locations also know not to drink and drive. Sure, a lot of motorists still do so, but they know they shouldn't. But, it is equally as important for pedestrians to remain sober while walking, jogging, or running—the chances of a person getting into an accident increase significantly when booze is part of the equation. Just imagine, you could stumble, fall into traffic, and get hit by a vehicle. So, do yourself and everybody else a favor, don't get buzzed as a pedestrian.
Stay Hand In Hand With Your Child While Crossing The Street
If you're crossing the street with a child, always make it a point to hold their hand. Failing to do so could result in them running into the street. Once there, a driver might not see them, or if they do, they might not see them in time to apply the brake. Then, the child could get struck, changing the lives of everyone involved.
With any luck, you can use these tips to keep pedestrian crashes at bay. Of course, we'd rather see you safe and injury-free than hurt. But, if you need legal representation, just know that our firm is only a phone call away.