Florida Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Walking is a great way to get around, especially in sunny Florida. Sadly, statistics reveal that Florida is the deadliest state for pedestrians, with the most dangerous cities to walk in being Tampa, Orlando, Clearwater, and Jacksonville. Many of these accidents are the result of careless drivers who fail in their duty to operate their vehicles in a lawful and safe manner, but there are also many accidents that occur as a result of unsafe streets and intersections.

Consider these pedestrian accident statistics:

• According to a 2014 report by Smart Growth America, 47,025 pedestrians were killed in the U.S. between 2003 and 2012
• An estimated 676,000 people were injured after being struck by a car or truck, which equates to roughly one pedestrian injury every eight minutes
• One in five fatal pedestrian accidents kill older Americans
• Over 60% of pedestrian deaths occur on roads with speed limits of 40 mph or more, while 9% occur on roads with speed limits below 30 mph

Because Florida consistently ranks worst on the pedestrian safety index and has a sizable elderly population, the state has set up task forces in order to enhance enforcement and launch education programs aimed at reducing fatalities. Advocates of safer streets for pedestrians are calling on Congress to adopt the Safe Streets Act, which would require that all federally funded road projects consider bicyclists and pedestrians and not just drivers. Ways to make roads safer for pedestrians include extending sidewalks, adding bike lanes, redesigning intersections, and reducing the distance between pedestrian crosswalks.

With more than 30 percent of Americans that do not drive, our roadways should not discount their safety. If you or someone you know has been injured in a pedestrian accident, or if you have suffered the loss of a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. We encourage you to contact a Tampa pedestrian accident attorney at Darrigo & Diaz, Attorneys at Law to schedule a free personal injury or wrongful death consultation during which we can discuss your potential case. With more than 200 years of combined experience and millions of dollars recovered for clients, you can trust in our team to guide you through your case with one goal in mind: to protect your best interests by pursuing maximum compensation.

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