Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Florida

Florida continues to see its fair share of pedestrian accidents. Some of these accidents are so severe that they end up straining a victim financially. Pedestrians don’t have outside protection. When an accident happens, they take the full force of the impact. Because these injuries can be life-altering, it’s important for both pedestrians and drivers to be careful on the road. With that said, here are the common causes of pedestrian accidents.

Distracted Driving

Drivers can easily become distracted when driving. Until now, many of them still use their phones while driving. Unfortunately, this has led to many injuries and even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 7000 pedestrians died in 2020 because of being hit by cars. That’s just how serious pedestrian accidents are. And it’s not just drivers who are distracted. Even pedestrians often get distracted on the road and get hit while walking.

Bad Weather

Poor weather can also cause pedestrian accidents. For instance, if it’s raining heavily, it can hinder visibility, preventing drivers from seeing pedestrians and stopping on time. Slippery roads also make it difficult for a vehicle to stop on time. Aside from that, pedestrians can slip and fall on the road because of bad weather, getting hit by cars.

Driving Under the Influence

Another cause of pedestrian accidents is driving under the influence. Although alcohol is the most commonly abused substance, other drugs like opioids, amphetamines, and hallucinogens can also affect the driver’s driving ability. Driving under the influence doesn’t just put the driver at risk, but also pedestrians. If a drunk driver has hit you, hire a pedestrian accident lawyer in Vero Beach. The lawyer will represent your interests and ensure you get fair compensation.

Crossing the Road Under the Influence

Just like drunk drivers can hit pedestrians, drunk pedestrians increase their chances of getting hit. Your judgment and motor function are impaired if you’re drunk or under the influence of a drug. That means you’re likely to do something reckless, like crossing the road without checking for oncoming cars. If it’s discovered that you were drunkenly crossing the road or street, you will be considered partially at fault, affecting a potential claim.

Wearing Dark Clothes at Night

Pedestrian accidents are more common at night. If you’re walking at night, wear light-colored clothes, especially if you know your streets aren’t well-lit. Dark clothes make it harder for drivers to see you. Better yet, carry a flashlight and turn it on when you cross streets. While most intersections are well-lit, it’s still challenging for drivers to see drivers who are in dark clothes. At the same time, drivers should be careful on the road and expect to encounter pedestrians on the streets even at night.

Failure to Yield to Pedestrians

Not all drivers are courteous enough to allow pedestrians to pass. It’s a rule of thumb that drivers should give pedestrians the right of way. However, not all drivers do that. This has seen Florida experiencing a huge number of pedestrian accidents. In fact, according to news, Florida has the second highest rate of pedestrian accidents. Being courteous enough to allow pedestrians to cross the road can save many lives.

Environmental Hazards

Any environmental hazards like construction and slippery sidewalks create inconveniences on the road. They can force pedestrians to walk in areas where they shouldn’t be. For instance, sidewalk construction can force a pedestrian to move to the road. And since most drivers don’t anticipate pedestrians there, road accidents occur.

Most pedestrian accidents can be avoided. Both drivers and pedestrians need to be more careful, pay attention to the road and be courteous.