Despite Florida spending millions of dollars on education and public safety campaigns, the state is home to hundreds of pedestrian deaths every year, many of which result from car accidents.
According to an ABC Action News review conducted earlier this year, which reviewed data covering the Tampa Bay area, at least one pedestrian is hit per day while walking on streets in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. The review determined that Hillsborough County ranks fourth in Florida for total pedestrian deaths. Pinellas County ranked seventh, and Pasco County ranked tenth. While the ABC review found jaywalking to be a frequent occurrence leading to car accidents, the Florida Department of Transportation also attributes the increase in pedestrian fatalities to population growth and a higher number of drivers in the state.
A recent “Dangerous by Design” report by Smart Growth America determined that 49,340 pedestrian deaths occurred due to car accidents from 2008 to 2017 across the United States, with Florida accounting for 5,433 of those fatalities. Smart Growth America also listed regions in Florida in the top six spots nationwide for pedestrian deaths based on data gathered from specific metropolitan areas: the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area ranked ninth between 2008 and 2017 with 900 pedestrian fatalities.
The report noted that one of the main reasons for the increasing number of pedestrian deaths is the fact that streets are currently designed with vehicles in mind as opposed to pedestrian safety. Specifically, the report says that state and federal policies, funding, and standards account for high vehicle speeds rather than safety for pedestrians.
Both of these reports reveal how vulnerable pedestrians are to car crashes in Tampa, along with other regions in Florida. They also suggest that both pedestrians and drivers should stay aware of their surroundings and follow traffic safety guidelines to help avoid accidents, while road design should place more emphasis on preventing injury to both drivers and pedestrians.
If you have been involved in a car accident and sustained injuries as a result, consult with a dependable and knowledgeable personal injury attorney as soon as possible. With the help of an experienced lawyer, you may be entitled to compensation through a liability claim against a driver or another third party.
Frank Charles Miranda, P.A. provides skilled representation for individuals who have been injured in car accidents, including pedestrians. Call our office in Tampa at 813-902-3925 or contact us online for a free consultation to learn more about your options.