A pedestrian accident in Southwest Florida is a common event. This is not surprising since we are blessed with excellent weather throughout most of the year, which makes walking a great activity for the young and old alike.
Pedestrians use our sidewalks, neighborhood streets, and gated community roads to walk for exercise, walk their dogs, kids walking to school or the school bus stop, trip to the store, and crossing streets at crosswalks. There are more active pedestrians today than at any time in recent memory walking with a purpose.
Pedestrian Accident Injury Occurs Weekly in Southwest Florida
Alarmingly, because of increased vehicle traffic on our roads, there are an increasing number of serious and deadly pedestrian accidents. A pedestrian accident in Southwest Florida occurs on average several times per week.
For example, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports the large number of serious injured pedestrians on our local streets and roads:
- Lee County: nearly 200 pedestrian injuries per year
- Charlotte County: nearly 50 pedestrian injuries per year
- Collier County: nearly 75 pedestrian injuries per year
Locally, older adults and younger children through teenagers are at highest risk, and most vulnerable to a pedestrian accident. Unfortunately, there are instances where pedestrians do not use crosswalks when they exist.
Motorists Can Avoid a Pedestrian Accident
In many other instances, however, drivers of cars, trucks, and vans fail to yield to pedestrians. Under Florida law, pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks, and drivers must yield to walkers. This means, for example, that when a pedestrian is crossing the street in a crosswalk, vehicles making right turns or left turns must give the pedestrian the right of way. Sadly, many motorists fail to do so.
Our pedestrian accident rate at intersections is on the rise, and often times the driver of the motor vehicle failed to yield. Pedestrian injuries also frequently occur near shopping center entrance and exit driveways, in which the driver of the car, truck, or van simply pulls up too far without looking.
Pedestrian Accident Injuries
When motor vehicles strike pedestrians, then consequences are often critical. Injuries such as head injury, arm fractures, leg fractures, disfigurement, brain injury, and spine injury, are common. Sadly, pedestrian deaths are also a common aftermath.
When a driver of a van, truck, or car negligently strikes a pedestrian, then a claim may be made against the driver and owner of the vehicle. A driver’s auto insurance policy often pays significant compensation when an experienced lawyer represents the injury victim.
Fort Myers Injury Lawyer Represents Pedestrian Accident Injury Victims
Fort Myers injury lawyer David Harris represents severely injured persons and their families after a vehicle pedestrian accident. Experienced, focused, and driven for results, David seeks full compensation for you. Your injuries, pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost income are big factors.
Focus on healing, and allow your doctors, nurses, and therapists to help. While you work on recovering from your pedestrian accident, your counsel focuses on your financial well-being. Call David or fill out our simple form right here for a free discussion about your circumstances.
