Walking should not be dangerous. Since 2009, pedestrian deaths have increased by 83% (According to the CDC DATA), resulting in 7,522 fatalities in 2022, representing 18% of all crash deaths. Hit-and-run crashes now cause 25% of fatal pedestrian accidents, up from 20% in 2013. Although preliminary estimates indicate a slight 2% decrease in pedestrian fatalities for 2023, the numbers remain alarmingly high. Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys works to protect Florida pedestrians from increasing dangers through awareness and legal representation for victims.
Walking anywhere throughout cities and towns, and rural areas exposes you to genuine threats. The majority of pedestrian incidents occur in urban zones, which make up 85% of total accidents, yet hazards exist throughout all areas. The most fatal accidents occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. since visibility declines and alcohol involvement reaches 37% in nighttime pedestrian accident deaths. Friday and Saturday nights carry the highest risk.
Public roads offer all citizens the right to walk safely. Our practice as pedestrian injury attorneys exposes us to daily cases of devastating injuries and financial burdens, and permanent life changes for pedestrians. The majority of such incidents would have been preventable through enhanced understanding of actual accident causes.
This guide analyzes the actual sources of auto pedestrian accidents alongside providing effective methods to safeguard your family members. The understanding of these hazards during daily walks across busy intersections and quiet neighborhood streets will protect your life. We stand ready to assist you if you sustain injuries while walking. At Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys, we fight to get you the compensation you deserve. A Florida experienced pedestrian accident attorney near me can help guide you through your legal options.
The 9 Real Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Most city crashes occur on approximately 15 to 20 percent of the total road network.
The events leading to pedestrian accidents follow patterns. Your knowledge of these causes helps you defend yourself against dangerous situations while allowing you to detect driver negligence that leads to injuries.
The act of turning left poses fatal risks to pedestrians. The percentage of left turn-related crashes exceeds right turn crashes by 22% at intersections, even though right turns make up only 1.2% of all intersection incidents. Vehicles turning left proceed at increased speeds while drivers experience restricted visibility from inside their vehicles. Left-turning vehicles that strike pedestrians lead to fatal outcomes three times more often than those hit by right-turning vehicles.
Distracted drivers kill pedestrians. Distracted driving resulted in 3,275 fatalities throughout 2023. Text messages force drivers to take their eyes from the road for five seconds, which equals driving a football field without vision while blindfolded at 55 mph. The number of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities caused by distracted driving reached 621 cases during incidents where attention played a role.
Serious injuries result from walking while distracted. People who walk while using their phones tend to overlook traffic signals before stepping into crosswalks and fail to stop for traffic signals and walk at faster speeds across intersections. The number of patients treated at hospitals because of distracted walking has surged dramatically.
Speed kills pedestrians. Pedestrian fatality risk elevates dramatically when driving speed increases from 10% to 23 mph to reach 90% at 58 mph. SUVs with tall front ends boost the potential for injuries at every speed level.
Other factors increase pedestrian danger. The lack of visibility leads to 76% of night-time fatalities. The influence of alcohol consumption contributes to 42% of pedestrian death cases. Multiple factors, such as insufficient crosswalks combined with bad road design and poor weather, and construction zones without sufficient pedestrian protection systems, all play a role in creating accidents. These conditions normally produce pedestrian motor vehicle accident claims.
The dangerous situations develop when these risk factors merge. You have the right to claim medical expenses compensation, together with lost income and pain and suffering damages, when a driver shows negligence that leads to your pedestrian injury. A nearby qualified pedestrian accident lawyer can assist you with filing your claim.
Who Is Most at Risk and Where Does It Happen
In our pedestrian injury cases at Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys, we’ve seen how elderly individuals and men are disproportionately impacted, especially in high-speed zones or poorly lit areas.
The risk of pedestrian accidents varies substantially based on age group. The fatality rate among people aged 60–64 stands at 3.18 per 100,000 population. The 65-and-older age group represents 19% of pedestrian fatalities, though they compose only 15% of the total population. The aging process affects the way people walk while simultaneously impairing their balance capabilities and their capacity to determine the speed and distance of moving vehicles.
Men endure substantially greater dangers than women do. The total number of pedestrian deaths in 2022 shows that males represent 70% of all victims.
The area in which you stand will determine your level of risk exposure. The majority of pedestrian deaths occur in urban areas, but rural crashes result in almost double the fatality rate. Non-intersection areas constitute 73% of all fatal locations, whereas crossroads represent the remaining 27%. Your safety risks extend beyond traditional intersections because drivers rarely expect pedestrians on these stretches of road. These are often where pedestrian accident lawsuits originate.
The most dangerous period of the day occurs in the evening. The time between 6–8:59 p.m. proves fatal for the most pedestrians since it claims 26% of all pedestrian fatalities. The period between 9–11:59 p.m. ranks second with 25%.
Your survival chances depend heavily on the type of road you walk on. Major roads beyond interstates and freeways claim the lives of sixty percent of pedestrian accident victims. The number of fatalities on city roads with 40 mph speed limits or less amounts to 51%, whereas rural roads with 55 mph or higher speed limits account for 63% of all fatalities.
Winter months present an extra threat to safety. Pedestrian deaths in 2022 reached 30% during October through December.
How to Stay Safe as a Pedestrian
Transportation Alternatives exists as a 50-year nonprofit advocacy group in New York City, which works to claim transportation space for pedestrians and cyclists, and bus riders. — Philip Miatkowski (Senior Director of Research and Policy at Transportation Alternatives)
You must stay alert throughout every moment. Your awareness functions as your main defense against pedestrian injuries. The 9,188 pedestrian fatalities in 2022 demonstrate that staying alert serves as the most effective method to prevent accidents.
Use sidewalks whenever possible. Walk with your face turned towards traffic when there is no sidewalk because this position helps you detect approaching vehicles.
You should never count on drivers stopping at crosswalks. Check for driver contact before attempting to cross any street.
Make yourself visible. Bright clothing should be used during daytime hours, but reflective materials should be used instead at night.
Put away distractions. The number of people walking while distracted has increased by 100% since 2004.
Understand nighttime visibility. The period from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. accounts for 76% of all pedestrian accident deaths so it is essential to be visible.
Protecting Yourself and Getting Help
Most pedestrian accidents stem from which factor? The primary causes of pedestrian accidents include left turns and distracted drivers and pedestrians, combined with speeding vehicles and visibility issues, and alcohol consumption.
Who faces the greatest risk? The highest risk falls on male pedestrians who walk during night hours on major roads. Your chances of suffering serious injuries increase after a pedestrian is hit by a car.
What steps should you take to stay safe while walking? Stay alert while walking and avoid distractions while using sidewalks with visible clothing. Before stepping across the street, always look at drivers.
If you suffer injuries from an accident, what should you do? Seek medical attention. Document the scene. Contact a pedestrian accident attorney or a pedestrian accident law firm for help. Find pedestrian accident attorneys near me by using the search term to begin your next step.
At Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys, we represent pedestrian accident victims across Florida. If you’ve been hit by a car while walking, contact our Florida pedestrian accident lawyers today for a free consultation and let us help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys stands as one of Florida’s most trusted personal injury law firms because of their decades-long combined legal experience and their recovery of millions for injured clients. Our team handles each case with personal dedication while using aggressive methods to make negligent drivers responsible. Our law firm helps clients who have suffered injuries throughout Florida, including Tampa, Sarasota, Orlando, Fort Myers, Lakeland, St. Petersburg, Lakeland and Bradenton.
