Pedestrian Safety and Pedestrian Accident Prevention in Southwest Florida

An annual average of around 6,000 pedestrians are killed in car accidents and a further 137,000 are hospitalized. Pedestrian accidents can have devastating consequences, especially when pedestrians are hit by high-speed vehicles. For those in southwest Florida looking to avoid a pedestrian accident, there are a few statistics to keep in mind:

• Almost half of all pedestrian accidents are in some way related to alcohol – About 47% of pedestrian accidents, on average, are in some way related to alcohol. Either the pedestrian is under the influence of alcohol while walking the streets of Southwest Florida, or the driver of the vehicle was alcoholic before he got behind the wheel. Avoiding too much alcohol while walking on local streets and avoiding alcohol while driving a car is a very effective way to avoid a pedestrian accident.

• Children and the elderly are most at risk – When it comes to the demographics of those involved in pedestrian accidents, 20% of pedestrian deaths are 65 years or older, and 1 in 5 children in fatal car accidents in 2017 were pedestrians in pedestrian accidents. People who require assistance crossing streets should be accompanied safely whenever possible, and drivers should always keep a close eye on sidewalks and intersections when driving through residential or pedestrianized areas.

• Most pedestrian accidents happen at night and in urban areas – Places like Sarasota or Florida’s Suncoast tourism regions will experience more pedestrian accidents compared to more rural areas. It makes sense – more urban areas have more people, and that means more people are moving around any time of the day or night. Pedestrians should always wear bright colors or reflective clothing when walking at night, cross intersections responsibly, and be mindful of their surroundings. Vehicles passing through these pedestrian zones should be extra vigilant and even in areas where pedestrians are not normally allowed to cross.

Frequent accidental injuries from pedestrians

Pedestrian accidents can range from minor to severe to fatal injuries. The most common accidental injuries among pedestrians include:

• head injuries – Up to 38% of pedestrian-related accidents are associated with head or face injuries. This often occurs when the head or face hits either the windshield or hood of a vehicle, and it results in some of the most devastating and long-lasting injuries. Traumatic brain injuries have different and complex pathways to recovery, with no two injuries behaving in exactly the same way. Pedestrians with these types of injuries may need long-term medical intervention to maintain a positive quality of life.

• Soft tissue injuries – A soft tissue injury can be as “light” as a minor sprain or as severe as an internal laceration. In pedestrian accidents at low speed or in very minor accidents, the pedestrian can leave the scene of the accident with little more than minor soft tissue injuries such as bruises and sprains or strains. Severe soft tissue injuries, such as B. cuts require immediate medical attention.

• Broken bones – Broken bones are one of the most common accidental injuries to pedestrians. A hairline crack fracture in the foot may not require more than a plaster cast for some time, but a complicated fracture in the leg could require surgery, physical therapy, and extended medical care. Broken bones can keep people off their feet for weeks or even months, cause significant pain, and require significant compensation if the pedestrian accident was caused by the negligence of another party.

Whether you have a few bumps and bruises or you need an extended hospital stay, it’s important to reach out to a skilled personal injury attorney after a pedestrian accident.

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David Goldman

See similar https://www.justicepays.com/news/pedestrian-safety-and-avoiding-pedestrian-accidents-in-southwest-florida

The post Pedestrian Safety and Pedestrian Accident Prevention in Southwest Florida first appeared on Daily Florida Press.

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