NORWALK, CT, USA – JUNE 11, 2021: Yellow box with cross button for pedestrians with crosswalk on Post road.
When moving to a new place, it’s important to know how safe it is. Of course, crime statistics most often come to mind, but that isn’t the only kind of safety that matters. Pedestrian, cyclist, and motorist safety are all significant factors to consider as well.
So, how does Florida rank when it comes to pedestrian safety?
The Most Dangerous States for Pedestrians, Ranked
The most dangerous state for pedestrians is, unfortunately, Florida. Florida comes in at number one with 5,893 pedestrian fatalities between the years 2010 and 2019. There is a massive difference between the number one and number two most dangerous states, as Alabama comes in second with only 936 pedestrian fatalities in the same time frame.
However, the death rate isn’t the only thing that determines how dangerous a state is for pedestrians. The population and the infrastructure put into place for pedestrians also play a huge role in determining the danger level.
The top ten most dangerous states include:
- Florida
- Alabama
- New Mexico
- Mississippi
- Delaware
- Louisiana
- Arizona
- South Carolina
- Georgia
- Texas
If you’re thinking about moving to Florida, or you already live in Florida, and you’re thinking about getting rid of your car, these are the facts you’ll want to think about before doing so. Unfortunately, many of the major metropolitan areas in Florida, such as Orlando, Tampa, and Miami, are considered extremely dangerous for pedestrians because of poor infrastructure, bad drivers, and dense traffic.
The Most Dangerous Roads In Florida for Pedestrians
Out of the entire country (not just Florida), Orlando is the most dangerous city for pedestrians. It’s known for having poor design and some of the worst drivers, which isn’t a good combination. In fact, out of the top ten most dangerous cities in the country for pedestrians, Florida cities fill out over half of the list.
When it comes to specific roads that should be avoided when walking in Florida, here are some of the most dangerous:
- Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville, FL
- 66th Street in Largo, FL
- Semoran Boulevard in Casselberry, FL
- NW 79th Street in West Little River, FL
- 34th Street North in St. Petersberg, FL
- NW 54th Street in Miami, FL
- Cortez Road West in Bradenton, FL
While these are known for being the most dangerous (amongst all types of vulnerable road users and motorists), all roads in Florida pose a threat to pedestrians in theory, and if you have to walk around, you should do so safely.
How Pedestrians Can Stay Safe
Practicing safe habits when walking in Florida is important and can be the difference between an accident occurring or not. You can’t control how well motorists drive, but you can control your own actions, some of which can be life-saving. Follow these tips to ensure that you stay as safe as possible while walking the dangerous Florida streets.
- Be predictable and make sure you’re following the rules of the road.
- Obey all traffic signs and signals.
- Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections whenever possible. Drivers expect pedestrians here and will be paying more attention.
- Don’t assume that drivers can see you.
- Wear neon or bright colors, especially when walking in the dark.
- Watch for cars backing out of driveways or parking lots.
- Don’t drink or take drugs before walking.
- If you can’t cross at a crosswalk or intersection, cross in a well-lit area where you have a good view of traffic.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Florida
Pedestrian accidents are almost always caused by the fault of motor vehicle drivers, such as a car, truck, or commercial vehicle. When drivers act with negligence, they can cause these types of accidents to occur. Negligence may look like:
- Distracted driving, such as using a cell phone, eating, applying makeup, looking for directions, or finding a playlist
- Excessive speeding or aggressive driving
- Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs
- Reckless or inexperienced driving
- Failing to stop at intersections
- Poor intersection design or maintenance
What to do If You’re Injured in an Accident
For some people, pedestrian travel simply cannot be avoided. If you don’t have a car, walking may be your only option. Even when you’re walking safely, an accident can still occur. If you’re involved in a pedestrian accident, hiring an attorney is the best decision that you can make for your case.
Injuries are often severe and can be devastating, resulting in high medical debt and huge changes to one’s quality of life. To ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve for your damages (both economic and non-economic), hire an experienced pedestrian accident attorney.
However, before you hire an attorney, there are a few steps you can take on your own to help your case.
- Contact the police as soon as possible while still at the scene of the accident. Having a police report that documents the case in your favor will be great evidence.
- Gather information from the at-fault driver and any witnesses. Don’t speak about fault or apologize in any way for the accident.
- Take pictures of your injuries, any involved vehicles, and the scene of the accident.
- Record a statement for yourself while you still remember all of the details.
- Receive immediate medical attention as soon as you leave the scene. Tell your doctor that you were involved in an accident.
Contact a Florida Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident, our experienced team of personal injury attorneys here at The Eberst Law Firm are ready to take on your case. With our years of experience, we’ll be able to get you the compensation that you deserve.
For more information or to schedule a free case evaluation, contact us online, by using our chat box, or by calling us at 352-269-0017.
