Summary
- According to Florida pedestrian accident statistics, our state is among the deadliest places for pedestrians.
- Pedestrians are vulnerable to catastrophic injuries in collisions with motorists.
- When drivers are preoccupied or operating in low visibility conditions, the risk of a pedestrian accident can increase.
Florida is a beautiful state, one with a climate that makes it easy to get outside and take a leisurely walk. Unfortunately, our state is also incredibly dangerous when it comes to doing just that. Florida is, in fact, the most dangerous state for pedestrians.
There are a lot of factors that can contribute to a pedestrian accident. A distracted driver might be too busy talking or texting on their smartphone to realize someone has walked into their path, for example.
No matter what the cause of your pedestrian accident, the attorneys with The Eberst Law Firm will be ready to help you hold those responsible for your suffering accountable. We’ll do everything we can to help obtain the compensation you deserve so that you can recover the damages you’ve incurred.
If you would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact us online or call 1-888-CALL-JON.
How Does Florida Compare to the Rest of the United States for Pedestrian Accident Injuries and Fatalities?
Not well, to say the least. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 7,508 people lost their lives in pedestrian accidents across the US in 2022. This is the highest number since 1981. Florida accounted for 3.7 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 population, the third-highest number in the country for pedestrian fatalities.
Researchers from Smart Growth America (SGA) found that an astounding 3,420 people died in pedestrian accidents in Florida between 2016 and 2020. According to SGA, Florida is the second-most dangerous state in the country for pedestrians, behind only New Mexico.
Florida is the Most Dangerous State for Pedestrians
It’s not a stretch to say that Florida is actually the most dangerous state in the U.S. to take a walk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 713 pedestrians died in Florida in 2019 – the most in the state in the previous 10 years.
Researchers from Smart Growth America (SGA) found that an astounding 5,893 people were killed in pedestrian accidents between 2000-2019. Due to these numbers, SGA gave Florida a rating of 201.4 on its pedestrian danger index. Alabama was a distant second, with a rating of 174.6.
What Types of Injuries Occur as a Result of Pedestrian Accidents?
The types of injuries that can result when a vehicle hits a pedestrian can obviously be devastating. These are just a few of the more common ones that occur.
- Soft tissue injuries – These include sprains, muscle tears, lacerations, and others. Even though this is on the lower scale of the injuries that can happen in a pedestrian accident, they can still lead to years of severe pain, as well as permanent disfigurement.
- Traumatic brain injuries – A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a type of head injury that can result in years of debilitation. Research indicates that pedestrians hit by a vehicle have a 90% chance of suffering at least a moderate head injury and an 18% percent chance of a severe TBI. Symptoms can last for a lifetime and include loss of coordination, severe headaches, difficulty concentrating and/or speaking, dizziness, and many others.
- Spinal cord injuries – The impact of a vehicle hitting the human body can include spinal cord damage that can result in permanent paralysis or even death. This kind of injury can result in the need for long-term care that can easily reach the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Fatal SCIs can leave families with significant wrongful death damages.
Where Do Most Pedestrian Accidents Occur in Florida?
According to the SGA report, seven of the 20 most dangerous metropolitan areas for pedestrians are in Florida. These include the following:
- Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach: No. 1
- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater: No 2
- Jacksonville: No. 3
- Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford: No. 8
- Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville: No. 12
- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach: No. 14
- North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton: No 19
When Do Most Florida Pedestrian Accidents Occur?
One of the most important factors that determine how pedestrian accidents occur is the time of day. Fatalities will typically occur at night on local roads that are away from city lights because motorists simply can’t see someone trying to cross the street.
Researchers at Arizona State University found a distinct difference between the times of day that injuries in pedestrian accidents occur, and the times of day when these accidents are more likely to result in a fatality. According to the researchers, most injuries take place between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The hours between 3-6 p.m. are the peak times for injuries.
Pedestrian fatalities, on the other hand, are more likely to happen between 5:30 and 11 p.m. More pedestrian accidents occur on Friday and Saturday, while the fewest occur on Sunday.
The researchers surmised that most accidents take place between 3-6 p.m. because this is typically the time of day when there’s the most traffic, as people are coming home from work. There are several factors that could explain why most pedestrian fatalities happen at night. These include pedestrians and drivers who are drunk, as well as poor visibility.
The Average Age, Sex, and Class of Pedestrians Killed in Florida
According to the SGA report, it appears that older people, as well as those in lower-income neighborhoods, are at the highest risk of being killed. People of color are also at an exceedingly high risk. SGA reported that the number of fatalities among Black pedestrians was 82% higher than Whites from 2010-2019.
Older people – especially those who are 75 years of age or older – are often struck because they have issues either hearing or seeing oncoming vehicles. They’re also unable to move fast enough to potentially get out of harm’s way.
Those in lower-income neighborhoods are at a higher risk because these areas oftentimes don’t have marked crosswalks or sidewalks. The SGA researchers stated they believe this is the case because many state and local agencies are more interested in blaming pedestrians than they are in addressing the role that roadway design may play in causing these accidents.
Were You Involved in a Pedestrian Accident? Contact The Eberst Law Firm ASAP
If you were hit by a vehicle, or you tragically lost a loved one in this type of accident, you’re going to have a lot of questions. The pedestrian accident attorneys with The Eberst Law Firm will be here to answer them. We will work passionately to help you get the money you deserve.
Please use our online form or call 1-888-CALL-JON for a free case review.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find the best pedestrian accident lawyer to represent me?
Here are a few pieces of advice on choosing a personal injury attorney after a Florida pedestrian accident:
- Look at local law firms who specifically handle pedestrian accidents
- Check out their client reviews and results
- Go meet the pedestrian accident attorney in person; pay attention to how they treat you
If they keep brushing you off or can’t answer basic questions about how pedestrian accident claims work in Florida, take it as a sign to keep exploring your options.
Why aren’t roads designed to be more pedestrian-friendly?
The SAG researchers say many local transportation agencies are more focused on speed (or reducing delays for motorists) than safety. Pedestrians are the ones who pay the price.
Where do most pedestrian accidents happen?
National Safety Council data indicates that over 75% of pedestrian accidents occur at non-intersection locations. Likely this is because drivers aren’t primed to expect pedestrians in their path.
