PEDESTRIAN INJURY ACCIDENTS ARE PROLIFIC IN FLORIDA
Florida is a very difficult and dangerous place for pedestrians. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) shows that Florida has the 3rd most pedestrian deaths yearly in the United States with 771 pedestrian deaths. (See the following NHTSA link FARS Encyclopedia: States – Pedestrians.) The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles states that in 2022, there were 10,013 pedestrian-related crashes (5% decrease from 2021) in Florida, with 765 fatalities (8% decrease from 2021). Pedestrian Safety – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. This is why the very experienced attorneys at www.FightingForFamilies.com have always fought for injured pedestrians in the State of Florida: 10,000 Florida pedestrian injury cases per year, combined with more than 700 automobile versus pedestrian deaths.
In Tampa Bay the numbers of pedestrians injured or killed every year is some of the highest in the nation. Pedestrian deaths soar 80% in past 15 years in Florida. Specifically in the Tampa Bay area there has been a yearly average of 200 pedestrians killed.
At www.FightingForFamilies.com we have been fighting for injured pedestrians for more than 25 years. Some of those pedestrian cases have unfortunately been death cases.
According to the FloridaPedestrianandBicycleStrategicSafetyPlan.pdf Florida represented 6 percent of the U.S. population in 2011, but accounted for 11 percent of all U.S. pedestrian fatalities and 17.4 percent of all U.S. bicycle fatalities. And According to the “Dangerous by Design” report, Florida has the top four metropolitan areas on the list of most dangerous large metro areas for walking in the U.S.: 1) Orlando-Kissimmee, 2) Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, 3) Jacksonville, and 4) Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach.
The Governors’ Highway Safety Association report for 2025, found at the following link, Early 2024 U.S. Pedestrian Fatalities Up 48% From a Decade Ago | Governors Highway Safety Association, showed the following increase in pedestrian accidents and deaths:
Each year, GHSA offers the first look at state and national trends in pedestrian traffic deaths from January through June based on preliminary data provided by State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs). The data analysis found that while pedestrian deaths during the first six months of 2024 fell slightly from the year before, they are 12% higher than 2019 and up a shocking 48% since 2014. Over the last decade, deaths of people on foot have risen at a pace nearly seven times higher than U.S. population growth (7%).
WHAT IS CAUSING THE INCREASE IN PEDESTRIAN INJURY ACCIDENTS?
The Governors’ 2025 report has the following factors:
Why are roads so dangerous for people walking? A combination of overlapping and interrelated factors. A steep drop in traffic enforcement nationwide since 2020 has let dangerous driving behaviors run amok. Roads are largely designed to prioritize fast-moving vehicle traffic instead of slower speeds that are safer for people on foot. Many communities lack infrastructure – such as sidewalks, crosswalks and lighting – that help protect pedestrians. And the U.S. vehicle fleet is increasingly dominated by larger, heavier vehicles that are more likely to injure or kill people walking.
FIND THE RIGHT ATTORNEYS WHO HANDLE PEDESTRIAN INJURY ACCIDENTS, YOU NEED TO DO THIS QUICKLY.
At www.FightingForFamilies.com we handle pedestrian injury cases. It is important to retain counsel right away and this is because preservation of evidence from the scene, from witnesses, the vehicle black box (“EDR” data), photographs of skid marks, etc., is critical to this type of case. Recognize that if a vehicle has an EDR black box, that data needs to be pulled from that vehicle as soon as possible so it will not be overwritten. Also, if the property damage to the vehicle was extensive, the insurer for that vehicle often gets rid of the vehicle within just a couple of days in some cases. Also, one of the first things we do for our injured pedestrian clients is to check the injury scene for potential video of the crash. This has to be done quickly so any video will not be erased of overwritten. Be assured, at www.FightingForFamilies.com the same day an injured pedestrian signs with our firm, a Notification letter goes to both the at-fault driver(s) and the owner(s) of all involved vehicles.
There is never a charge to talk about your case.
WE ARE READY RIGHT NOW
ALL OF FLORIDA 800-253-2531
TAMPA BAY AREA 727-399-2222
SUN CITY CENTER 813-999-2221
THE VILLAGES 352-633-6900
