Daytona Beach Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Daytona Beach

When pedestrians are hit by a car, bus, truck, or motorcycle, they tend to sustain greater injuries than drivers and passengers. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to be killed in a car crash than passengers in vehicles.

More than 5,000 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in the United States in 2015 alone. Put another way, this means one pedestrian was killed every 1.6 hours for the entire year. In Florida, 21% of all traffic fatalities involve a pedestrian, and more than 125,000 pedestrians require emergency room treatment annually for non-fatal injuries sustained in traffic crashes. This means a pedestrian is hurt once every 7.5 minutes due to a crash involving a vehicle.

Pedestrian accident risk factors

Pedestrians over the age of 65 account for almost 20% of pedestrian deaths, and 13% of all pedestrians injured in traffic crashes. Alcohol also plays a major role in pedestrian accidents. Almost half of vehicle crashes that resulted in pedestrian deaths involved a driver or pedestrian with a blood alcohol concentration of at least 0.08.

Florida pedestrian accident prevention

Tips for Florida pedestrians

Studies show that most pedestrian deaths occur in cities. 72% of pedestrian fatalities occurred at non-intersection locations, and a staggering 74% of pedestrian fatalities happen at night. Based on this data, the CDC recommends the following:

• Increase nighttime visibility by carrying a flashlight
• Wear clothing that is reflective, or use reflective tape to increase visibility
• Whenever possible, use the crosswalk to cross the street
• In intersections where there is no crosswalk, cross at the intersection, not in the middle of the block
• When walking along the roadway, use the sidewalk if one is available
• Where no sidewalk is available, stay on a path, if available
• If no sidewalk or path is available, walk on the shoulder of the roadway facing traffic
• Stay alert – don’t be distracted by cell phones or other electronic devices
• Never presume a driver sees you

Tips for Florida drivers

Of course, pedestrians don’t bear the burden of pedestrian safety alone. Drivers must take great care when on the roadways as well. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration recommends the following:

• Look for, and expect, pedestrians everywhere
• Always come to a complete stop for pedestrians, whether they are in the crosswalk or crossing in the middle of the street
• Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk – it is likely they are stopped for a pedestrian
• Don’t drink and drive
• Be mindful of the speed limit
• Slow your vehicle when pedestrians are present
• Stay particularly focused on areas where children may be present. They can be unpredictable and don’t yet have an appreciation for how traffic works.

Contact our experienced Daytona Beach pedestrian accident attorneys

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact the personal injury lawyers at Zimmet & Zimmet. We have watched countless clients struggle to get their lives and health back after a pedestrian accident. We can’t change what happened to you or your family, but as Daytona Beach pedestrian accident attorneys, we can make sure you are fairly compensated for the injuries you sustained. Call us today at 386-255-6400 for a no cost, no obligation consultation.