What Can Cause Pedestrian Accidents In Florida?
Michael Babboni
Law
The number of car accidents in Florida is alarmingly high, and unfortunately, there are a lot more involved in these situations than we think. When we hear about auto accidents, the first things that come to mind are vehicle collisions and road traffic accidents. However, pedestrians are also heavily involved in many car accidents out on the street and it is more common than you might think.The state has lots of open roads and freeways away from pedestrians, so how do pedestrians get involved? Here are different causes of pedestrian and car accidents:
• People Suddenly Crossing The Street - It is common to hear about drivers beating the red light, but did you know that pedestrians do it too? There are traffic lights that also let pedestrians know when it is okay to cross the street and when it is not safe. However, there are many instances when pedestrians would try to rush and make it to the other side of the road even when the light is about to turn red.
Other situations involve unsupervised kids or children who break away from their parents and rush to the road. When people are chasing after something, their attention is divided and it is too late to realize that they ran straight into speeding vehicles, resulting in an accident.
• Faded Pedestrian Lane Signs - Designate crosswalks for pedestrians are often marked by vertical lines painted on the pavement or road signs, informing both vehicle drivers and pedestrians alike. However, paint can chip and fade over time, making these signs unrecognizable or unnoticeable.
Without a visible warning sign, drivers who are speeding down the road would fail to slow down and stop when people are about to or are crossing the street. Stopping too late can lead to collisions and serious injuries.
• Pedestrians Are Unnoticeable - Visibility is important in all elements involving driving. Vehicles can make themselves visible during a heavy downpour by turning their car lights on or sounding their horns. For pedestrians, making themselves visible is a little challenging.
The best way to address this issue is to use crosswalks with bright streetlights that illuminate the surroundings. Bringing a flashlight or wearing bright colors is also prudent.
• Drivers Ignoring The Pedestrians Right Of Way - Just like how there are rules in driving, pedestrians are also given the right of way in some parts of the road. The crosswalks are the best example where pedestrians should be given priority to, with or without a traffic light to give drivers a cue. Cars should know that they should slow down when approaching a crosswalk.
The sides of the streets are also obviously made for pedestrians but some vehicles, like small cars and motorcycles, can use these streets as a shortcut or overtake and avoid traffic, thus taking away the pedestrians’ right of way.
When an accident involving a pedestrian happens, investigators will look at all the angles and factors such as those stated above. There are, of course, cases where pedestrians are also the ones who are held liable for the accident. What you can do to protect yourself is to get assistance from an auto accident lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the case.