An 83-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed on Monday, June 13, by a Kia Sedona as he reportedly walked in its path while in a crosswalk on County Road 54 near the intersection of U.S. 301. According to witnesses, the oncoming traffic had the green light, reports TBO.com. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital where he later died.
Our condolences are extended to the friends and family members of this traffic victim.
According to traffic accident statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2009, 59,000 pedestrians were injured and 4,092 were killed in a traffic-related crash. Those numbers represent 3 percent of all injuries resulting from traffic accidents and 12 percent of all traffic fatalities. While overall traffic deaths appear to be on the decline, at their lowest level in five years, the number of pedestrian traffic deaths seems to be creeping upward. Nationally, a pedestrian is killed every 128 minutes in a collision with a motor vehicle and a pedestrian is injured every 9 minutes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports the top four states for pedestrian fatalities are California, Florida, Texas, and New York, which make up 42 percent of all pedestrian fatalities that occur in the nation.
At the Farah & Farah law firm, our pedestrian accident lawyers in Jacksonville understand there can be many causes of a pedestrian injury or fatality in a traffic-related crash. It seems that few drivers are actually paying attention to the serious business of driving and as a result, we see a variety of avoidable traffic crashes.
The state reminds us that it is each driver’s responsibility to Share the Road with all other forms of transportation including those on foot, bicyclists, motorcycles, and other passenger vehicles and trucks. If you or a loved one have been in an accident where the at-fault party failed to see you, their negligence may make them responsible for your medical costs and lost wages. We can discuss your options in a complimentary consultation.
Sources: http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/jun/13/zephyrhills-man-83-dies-after-being-struck-by-vehi-ar-237205/, http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811392.pdf and http://www.iihs.org/research/fatality_facts_2008/pedestrians.html
