Preventing West Palm Beach Pedestrian Accidents

Did you know that Florida leads the nation in pedestrian accidents? The top four most dangerous metropolitan areas for pedestrians are (in order):

1. Orlando-Kissimmee (2.86 deaths per 100,000 residents)
2. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (3.52 deaths per 100,000 residents)
3. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach (3.04 deaths per 100,000 residents)
4. Jacksonville (2.61 deaths per 100,000 residents)

A pedestrian is defined as any person who is travelling, but is not in or upon a motor vehicle or other vehicle. On average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 120 minutes and injured every 8 minutes. In 2009, a total of 4,092 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States and more than 59,000 pedestrians sustained injuries. Because a car is so much larger than a person, most of these injuries were serious.

Pedestrian Safety Tips

• Obey traffic signals, especially "Walk/Don't Walk."

• Use sidewalks whenever possible.

• If there are no sidewalks, try to walk facing road traffic.

• Cross streets at crosswalks. If there are no crosswalks, cross at corners and look for traffic before crossing.

• Look left, right and left again before crossing. Watch for turning cars.

• Never cross between parked cars.

• Stay off freeways and other restricted zones where drivers do not expect pedestrians.

• Be visible. In the day time, wear bright colors. At night, wear light colors and wear jackets and backpacks with reflective details. Carry a flashlight when it is very dark.

• Remember, drivers may be distracted or may not see you. Try to make eye contact with drivers to be sure you are seen.

• Pay attention. Don't talk on a cell phone or wear earphones when crossing the street.

• Use extra caution when crossing multiple-lane, higher speed streets.

One more tip: Pedestrians under the influence of drugs or alcohol are at a higher risk of becoming a pedestrian accident victim. Thirty-five percent of pedestrians who are killed in pedestrian accidents are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Just as they impact a person’s ability to drive, these substances can impair your ability to walk safely and make good walking decisions. When you are the influence, ask a sober friend to walk you home or take a cab.

Pedestrian accidents are especially dangerous for children and older adults. Share these pedestrian safety tips with your child.

If your loved one has been injured or killed in a West Palm Beach pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to insurance compensation. Palm Beach accident attorney Craig Goldenfarb can help. Contact the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb, P.A. at 1-800-GOLD-LAW to schedule a free case evaluation.

Does the insurance company say that you are not eligible for compensation? This may not be true. Download our free guide: “What the Insurance Companies Don't Want You to Know” to learn more.