Distracted driving, traffic law violations, and other negligent actions can lead to pedestrian accidents in Florida, which can cause life-threatening and disabling injuries.
But there are things that pedestrians can do to help prevent such accidents from occurring.
Here are things you can do that will help prevent you from becoming the victim of a pedestrian accident.
- Wear bright or reflective clothing when walking at night.
- Don’t text or talk on the phone or be otherwise distracted when walking.
- Always be observant of your surroundings and stay alert.
- Be sure to obey all traffic signals.
- Walk with others as being in a group makes it easier for drivers to see you.
- Stay on sidewalks.
- Always use the crosswalk to cross the street.
Alcohol also plays a significant role in the deaths of pedestrians during the year, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. During 2008, approximately 38 percent of pedestrians aged 16 and up who were fatally injured had blood-alcohol concentrations at or above 0.08 percent. That percentage rose to 53 percent for deaths that occurred from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., so be careful when you’re walking after you’ve been out drinking.
Even when you have done everything you can to protect yourself, someone else acting in a reckless or careless manner could still cause a pedestrian accident in Florida. If you were injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for those injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages.
For more on pedestrian and traffic safety, see the library of articles by Daytona Beach pedestrian accident attorney.
