Articles Posted in Pedestrian Accidents

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is currently working on improving 10 intersections along 4^th Street in St. Petersburg in an effort to make the area more walkable for pedestrians and cyclists.

In order to stop drivers from speeding through 4^th Street, crews are installing curb bulb-outs, features that narrow the roadways giving pedestrians more space to walk. An FDOT spokesperson said these curb bulb-outs will also help to stop speeding drivers as they will yield more to pedestrians, thus reducing the high number of collisions.

FDOT data shows that from 2015-2019 there were 364 traffic accidents that occurred along 4th Street, 17 of these involved pedestrians.

Also, a part of the project are new signs to make drivers more aware of bicyclists and pedestrians.

A similar project was recently completed on 3^rd Street, which prompted city officials to seek the same work on 4^th Street. FDOT officials aim to make downtown more walkable than it currently is.

The construction on 4^th Street is anticipated to be completely by early next year.

So far in 2023 Pinellas County has seen 522 traffic crashes, resulting in 4 fatalities and 313 injuries, according to reports from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). We are just 26 days into 2023 and the county has seen 17 bicycle crashes, 13 motorcycle collisions, and 17 pedestrian accidents resulting in 3 deaths.

In 2022, Pinellas County had 15,660 traffic crashes resulting in 121 deaths and 9,212 injuries. Bicycle crashes reached 578 resulting in 13 fatalities. Motorcycle crashes reached 435 resulting in 31 deaths. Pedestrian crashes totaled 474 with 36 fatalities.

In 2021, Pinellas County had 16,464 traffic accidents resulting in 158 fatalities and 9,428 injuries. Bicycle crashes reached 546 with 16 deaths and pedestrian accidents totaled 499 with 61 deaths. Continue reading

The number of people racing through the active crosswalk of 5th Avenue North at 25th Street North has more than just the neighborhood buzzing with complaints. It now has the attention of Real Time Traffic Expert Chuck Henson.

The crosswalk has been compared to playing a game of “Frogger,” where you press the ‘walk’ button and expect cars to stop for pedestrians, but they do not.

Due to the fact that St. Petersburg High School is located right at this intersection, the reason for concern is more than validated.

The St. Petersburg Police Department has reported that there have been 58 crashes between 21st Street and 34th Street just within the past five months. Three of these resulted in fatalities.

Interesting Fact: For the month of February, the intersection of 34th Street and 5th Avenue North was ranked as the second worst intersection in St. Petersburg.

With so many accidents occurring at this popular crosswalk, our Tampa Pedestrian Accident Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton would like to offer up a few tips that can help keep everyone using the roadways safer. These simple steps only take five seconds, and could very well save a life.

Pedestrians

1. Always cross at the marked crosswalk.
2. Look left and right and make sure the roadway is clear before walking, regardless of if there is a signal that says you are “OK” to walk.
3. If you see a vehicle approach, make eye contact with the driver in an attempt to make sure they see you before you walk.
4. Look before you walk past stopped vehicles, even if they have waved you to go ahead. You need to make sure ALL lanes are clear before proceeding.

Drivers

1. ALWAYS yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk and an intersection.
2. Make sure you are prepared to stop at all marked crosswalks. Keep your eyes open and slow down at crosswalks.
3. Look out for skateboarders, bikers, etc. as they can approach crosswalks much faster than those on foot.
4. Come to a complete stop at crosswalks and intersections and make sure there are no pedestrians present before continuing on.
5. Wait until pedestrians have crossed completely before you resume your travel.
6. Do not pass another vehicle that is slowing down or stopping at a crosswalk.

Continue reading

Two Plant City High School students were killed in a motorcycle crash Friday at the intersection of Bay to Bay Boulevard and Lois Avenue, where a traffic signal and other safety improvements are under review.

The city of Tampa staff in conjunction with Hillsborough County have been trying to secure funding for years to improve the safety at this dangerous intersection, but the money just isn’t available, according to reports.

Ove the past two months, Tampa city staff have been looking at taking temporary measures to keep pedestrians safe from the short distance near a school and park, such as a pedestrian-activated crossing (a rectangular flashing beacon) like the ones you can see Bayshore Boulevard.

No matter how you get around these days, everyone, at some point in the day, is a pedestrian. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pedestrian deaths across the U.S. are on the rise. 

The numbers don’t lie. According to reports done by the NHTSA, 6,283 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents in 2018. These numbers represent a 3.4% increase from 2017 and the highest we have seen since 1990. This same information shows that a pedestrian died every 84 minutes in 2018, which translates to 17% of all traffic deaths. 

With the novel coronavirus present this summer, it may feel like you are walking a lot more. Whether you are strolling through your neighborhood or walking to the grocery store, there are a few safety tips that our Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton would like to share with you: 

• Stay on a sidewalk or designated walking path, if one is available. If there is not one present, then remember to walk in the direction facing traffic staying as far away from cars as possible. 
• Before you cross the street, make sure you are at a marked crosswalk or intersection where motorists will expect to see pedestrians. If there is no designated crosswalk or intersection, then wait for a gap in traffic and cross when you have enough time to make it safely to the other side of the street. Make sure you still stay alert for oncoming traffic as you cross. 
• Stay alert and minimize distractions like headphones and cell phones as you could miss hearing any potential warnings, like a car horn, sirens, or you could fail to see a traffic signal at a crosswalk. 
• Drunk walking is dangerous. The NHTSA reports that 33% of deadly pedestrian crashes involved a drunk pedestrian in 2018. You can get home safer by calling a friend to come and get you, or using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. 
• Do not just assume motorists will see you, as they could be distracted or even under the influence of drugs or alcohol. You can help boost your visibility by wearing bright colored clothes during the day, and if you must walk at night, wear reflective clothing and use a flashlight. 

Just like pedestrians need to exercise caution when walking, so do drivers when they get behind the wheel. There are many dangers on the roadways, but keeping a watchful eye at all times can help you get to and from your destinations safely and in one piece. The following safety reminders serve to help drivers avoid a pedestrian crash: 

• Always be on the lookout for pedestrians. You will see people walking morning, noon, and night, so always keep your eyes adjusted to walkers. 
• You must follow the laws regarding pedestrians in Florida. You can review Florida laws on pedestrians here. 
• Exercise added caution when you are in areas where children may be present, such as schools, neighborhoods, parks, etc. 
• Do not pass cars that are stopped in crosswalks as they could be allowing pedestrians to pass. 
• Be patient and slow down! Obey posted speed limits. Speed limits are lower in pedestrian-heavy areas because in the event of an accident, pedestrians have a better chance at surviving a lower speed crash. 

No one plans to be involved in a pedestrian accident, but they definitely happen, and that is why our Tampa Pedestrian Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton are here to help you understand your rights. Whether you were injured or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, we can make sure all critical evidence is preserved and work to resolve your case through negotiations or trial, when necessary. 

Like we mentioned before, pedestrian accidents are unexpected, and these tragedies can be devastating. Let us help you and your family pursue full and fair compensation for all damages so that you can focus on putting the pieces of your life back together. 

Continue reading

On Sunday, a five-year-old Florida boy was struck and killed and his mother injured by a driver who failed to stop, according to authorities.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office said in a news release that deputies are searching for a light-colored sedan following Saturday night’s crash.

Officials said the mother and son were walking along a road about 9:30 p.m. when both were hit by the car that never stopped.

Deputies tried CPR on the boy before he was flown to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The mother was also injured but is expected to survive.

The sheriff’s office released surveillance photos of a light-colored sedan described as “of interest” that was in the area at the time.

Anytime pedestrian hit and run accidents are reported in the news, it is unfortunate to hear about what has happened to the victims. Sadly, these accidents are not uncommon and there are countless other victims who suffered the same fate. Car accidents are still a huge problem in this day and age, as they still continue to happen on a regular basis. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car accidents occur almost every minute of every day, and every 16 minutes, someone dies from a car accident. This means that every year there are about 6 million car accidents, and 37,000 lives are taken.

Car accidents are especially deadly for pedestrians. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) estimates that the number of pedestrian deaths in the U.S. was 6,000 in 2017, a 25-year high. This is a 27% increase from 2007 to 2016. 

Severe and fatal injuries can occur when a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle. Even at low vehicle speeds, the damage done to pedestrians can be deadly. Common injuries associated with pedestrian accidents include:

• Cuts and lacerations
• Internal injuries
• Broken bones and fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Head/brain injuries
• Death

There are five states that had the largest number of pedestrian fatalities in 2017, and Florida made the list. California, Florida, New York, Arizona, and Texas all accounted for about 43% of pedestrian fatalities during the first half of 2017 despite the fact that they are home to only 30% of the U.S. population. The GHSA also reports that children and the elderly are the most vulnerable in pedestrian accidents.

You may be wondering about deadly hit and run crashes. According to a study done by roadside-assistance giant AAA, there were 2,049 hit-and-run deaths that occurred in 2016. This number is the highest annual total on record, and in the decade leading up to that number, 682,000 hit-and-run crashes happened each year.

Car accidents, especially motor vehicle vs. pedestrians and hit and run collisions, can be quite traumatic and very difficult for the victims and their respective families. Thankfully, there are lawyers that specialize in these types of auto accidents, so if you are a victim of this kind of accident, our Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton are here to help you protect your rights and fight for the justice that you deserve.

Pedestrian Safety Tips for All Drivers

As drivers, there are ways we can help keep the roads safe for everyone, including pedestrians. We urge you to follow these guidelines to help keep pedestrians safe while driving:

1. Always keep an eye out for pedestrians and remain vigilant in heavy traffic areas and crosswalks.
2. Always obey the speed limit. This is especially important when you are driving in school zones and inside neighborhoods because you will likely see an increase in pedestrians.
3. Always drive slower in areas with poor lighting or bad road conditions. 
4. When you are backing out of a driveway or parking lot, look for pedestrians first. 
5. Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk.

Continue reading