In an incident that's become all too common on the roads of Florida, a 22-year-old pedestrian in Cocoa Beach was killed by a motorist in late July. Daniel Byron, Jr. was in the intersection of North Atlantic Avenue and First Street North when he was hit by a vehicle. He died of his injuries shortly after being admitted to the hospital.
The driver of the vehicle was subsequently charged with drunken driving-related manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident.
Danger in the Streets for Florida Pedestrians
According to the Dangerous By Design 2011 report - which is compiled by Transportation for America and the AARP - Florida is one of the most dangerous states for pedestrians, with the Orlando, Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville areas being the worst in the state.
According to the report, 5,163 pedestrians were killed around the state from 2000 to 2009. In fact, for the last ten years, Florida has been one of the top three states for pedestrian accident fatalities in the nation. Among the reasons for this large trend of pedestrian deaths are the warm weather, which gives people more opportunities to walk outside and put themselves at risk; the large number or tourists that come to the state; and the roads, which are not designed in a way that promotes pedestrian safety.
Staying Safe on Florida's Roads
Some things that pedestrians can do to keep themselves safe include wearing light or reflective clothing when walking at night, walking on sidewalks whenever possible and paying close attention when crossing intersections.
Unfortunately, all of the safety precautions in the world will not prevent pedestrian accidents if drivers are not also being careful. Motorists who injure pedestrians may not only be criminally responsible, but they may also be held liable for damages to the injured person. If you have been injured by a motorist, or if a family member was killed in a pedestrian-motorist accident, contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney in Orlando to advise you of your rights.
