Category: Pedestrian Accidents

A pedestrian accident is different from an auto accident in many ways. For one, when you get into your automobile to drive, the first thing you do (hopefully!) is buckle your seatbelt. But when you go outside to walk home from school, dinner or an event, no one thinks “I better watch out that I don’t get hit by a car.” It’s a given, sort of, that you will make it to your destination safely, but being hit by a car can be a life altering experience, and tragedies such as fatalities or permanent injury can happen as a result of an accident.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Pedestrian fatalities have declined by 1.7 percent to 4,735, but that number is still 15 percent higher than the low in 2009 of 4,109 pedestrian fatalities. From 2011 to 2013 there were 25,900 pedestrian accidents in Florida, 75 percent of them resulting in injury or death. According to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, “Florida has become one of the most dangerous states in the United States for pedestrians.”

A 19-year-old University of South Florida student is in critical condition after being struck by a car. While in the crosswalk attempting to cross 50th Street at Sun Ridge Palm Drive, Elizabeth Courtney was crossing was struck by a Nissan Altima driven by Ernest Washington, 30, of Tampa Fl. Washington was cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk.

An elderly couple, Francine Freedman, 80, and Philip Kendall, 85, were killed recently after being struck by a car on State Road A1A in Deerfield Beach. The couple was crossing at a point where a streetlight was not working but it is unclear according to investigators if that contributed to the accident. A neighbor who came out of his house when he heard the accident stated that the crossing was noted to be dangerous at night because of the lack of lighting due the the streetlight being out of order.

The family of the Freedman’s or the Kendalls may have a wrongful death claim against the city of Deerfield Beach, or FPL (the operator and owner of the streetlamp) for their negligence in not addressing a deficient street lamp that may not have had the area lit well, contributing to the fatal pedestrian accident.

In Largo, Florida, Sarah Arlia, a 32-year old mother, was crossing the street “outside of the crosswalk” with her 5-year-old son and 6-week-old daughter when the family was struck by a car causing the death of the infant girl. The driver stated that he saw the family but not soon enough to stop. The three were directly struck at the car’s full speed as there was no time at all to break. The car was driven by 65-year old Sandra Neki.

One can never assume that just because lines are painted on a highway, a driver will necessarily obey them and stop or slow down. It’s always better to err on the side of patience and caution. It’s it up to us all when we are pedestrians to exercise the same level of caution and awareness while walking that we would exercise when we are driving.

Injured in a West Palm Beach left turn accident? You may want to consult a car accident attorney in West Palm Beach.

A left turn is considered one of the most dangerous driving maneuvers. Why are left turns so dangerous? When making a left turn, a driver must turn into oncoming traffic this creates a danger for everyone in the intersection and puts the driver at an increased risk of injury in a West Palm Beach traffic accident.

Injuries from a left turn accident can be catastrophic. The car in the intersection may be travelling at a high rate of speed. The impact can causehead injuries, spinal cord injuries, lacerations, internal injuries, contusions and fractures. Often these crashes are fatal.

Because of the risk of serious accidents, there are more rules for left turns than for right turns. Most states require that drivers turn on their left turn signal at least 100 feet before making a left turn. A driver give the right of way to all oncoming traffic regardless of what the traffic light says, and the driver must make the left turn without endangering an oncoming vehicle.

How to make a safe left turn:

1. Make sure your car is in the correct lane to make a left hand turn. The lane may or may not be marked, but it is usually the lane closest to the center line.
2. Slow down and signal that you intend to make a left turn. You should begin signaling 100 feet from the intersection.
3. Wait until there is no on-coming traffic before entering the intersection. Yield to any cars, trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians or bicycles approaching from the opposite direction.
4. Look in all directions before making your turn.
5. Slow down and proceed with caution into the intersection.
6. Stay right of the center line and turn into the appropriate lane.

Because Florida drivers making a left turn are responsible for making sure the turn can be completed safely, they are usually considered to be at fault if a West Palm Beach left-turn accident occurs. There are some exceptions, but if a diver was making a left turn when a Florida traffic accident occurred, it is the driver’s duty to prove that he was not the cause of the accident. This is true even if the driver had a green arrow.

In this case, the driver must prove that the arrow was green the entire time he was turning left that he had pre-empted the green light at the intersection.

In the unfortunate event that you are involved in a Florida left turn accident, it is important that you consult with a car accident attorney in West Palm Beach. Determining fault for a left turn accidents can be complex, and you don’t want to be held liable for damages that were not your fault.

A typical injury lawyer in West Palm Beach is bombarded with horrific tales of pedestrian accidents on a regular basis. What are some common situations in which pedestrians find themselves threatened and injured? What can you to do protect yourself?

3 Common Pedestrian Accident Scenarios in West Palm Beach (and Elsewhere)

Intersection/Crosswalk Mayhem

Whenever pedestrian traffic meets vehicular traffic, opportunities for disaster may emerge. Even when drivers and pedestrians are on their “best behavior” – and even when intersections are designed well – accidents can still happen.

Why? Simply put, human beings did not evolve to drive cars, trucks, or motorcycles, so our ability to do things like gauge stopping distances of fast-moving cars is inherently poor.

What you can do: Avoid busy intersections, if possible. When you cross the street, look both ways and turn off distractions, such as cell phones.

Alcohol + Narcotics + Walking = Recipe for Disaster

In their bestselling book, SuperFreakonomics, authors Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner build the case that DUI pedestrians are, mile for mile, more dangerous than DUI drivers.

What you can do: If and when you consume alcohol, prescription medications, or other narcotics, avoid driving. Call a cab or ask a sober person to drive you to your destination.

Pedestrians Tempting Fate

Pedestrians who cross where they shouldn’t, walk along busy streets at night without reflective clothing, and engage in other acts of obvious stupidity put themselves at a higher risk.

What to do: Abide by rules of common sense (e.g. don’t wear all black and go jogging on a busy street at night). Also, take time to read about potential root causes of pedestrian accidents – especially if you walk or run a lot near roads. Your education is ultimately your best defense.

If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident in West Palm Beach or elsewhere, the team at the law offices of Craig Goldenfarb can help.