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Florida is one of the most dangerous states for pedestrians. Pedestrian fatality rates are nearly twice the national average. Additionally, I have, in the past, blogged on the dangers faced by bicyclists in Florida, where the fatality rate is four times the national average. I have heard, but not confirmed, Gulf Boulevard is the most […]
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Florida is one of the most dangerous states for pedestrians. Pedestrian fatality rates are nearly twice the national average. Additionally, I have, in the past, blogged on the dangers faced by bicyclists in Florida, where the fatality rate is four times the national average. I have heard, but not confirmed, Gulf Boulevard is the most dangerous stretch of road for pedestrians in the entire country. Having driven it regularly for the last 8 years, I cannot say that I disagree. While many accidents between pedestrians and a vehicle are completely the fault of the driver, sometimes the pedestrian does not follow the law regarding pedestrian interactions with traffic. The most common mistake I see made by pedestrians is jaywalking.
Jaywalking
First, jaywalking is not a legal term. You will not find the word “jaywalking” in any Florida Statute. That said, the Florida Statutes do prohibit certain actions by pedestrians. The basic rules which should be followed by all pedestrians are:
1. Pedestrians shall obey the pedestrian traffic signals.
2. Pedestrians shall not walk on the road unless there are no sidewalks or there are special circumstances.
3. If pedestrian is walking on the road, the pedestrian shall walk along the shoulder facing oncoming traffic.
4. No hitchhiking.
5. The pedestrian has the right of way when crossing the street at a controlled intersection, provided the pedestrian control permits crossing.
6. At an intersection controlled by stop signs, the pedestrian has the right of way.
7. Pedestrians shall yield the right of way to all vehicles if they are not at a controlled intersection or in a marked crosswalk.
8. Pedestrians attempting to cross in a non-marked area shall cross directly and take the shortest route possible across the roadway.
Jaywalking usually refers to any activity which would violate or be prohibited by the list, above. Failure to obey the above rules may cause the pedestrian to be at fault or partially at fault for the accident. The injured pedestrian may still be able to recover for their injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney will carefully investigate the case to determine whether there are circumstances such as excessive speed, a distracted driver or whether there was alcohol involved. The damages recovered may be reduced if the injured pedestrian was jaywalking, but that injured person may still be entitled to a recovery.
Injuries to Pedestrians Involved in Accident are Likely to be Severe
It should go without saying, but when a pedestrian is involved in an accident with a car the results can be devastating. Roughly 25% of Florida pedestrians involved in an accident with a car, suffer either fatal or incapacitating injuries. It is extremely unlikely that a pedestrian will walk away from an accident with no injuries. The injuries suffered by pedestrians can be severe and include:
1. Death;
2. Traumatic brain injury and/or concussions;
3. Spinal cord damage and/or paralysis;
4. Disfigurement;
5. Fractured or broken bones;
6. Nerve damage;
7. Lacerations, contusions and road rash; and
8. Neck and back injuries.
Have you or a loved one been injured in pedestrian accident? Contact an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney at Jones Law Group today. Make an appointment today to come in for a free consultation. If you have been involved in an accident, you should immediately call Jones Law Group at (727) 571-1333 during regular business hours or (727) 753-8657 on weekends or after regular business hours. We will evaluate your case for free and you will never pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for your injuries.
Jones Law Group
5622 Central Avenue
St. Pete, FL 33707
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Nearly 25 million people have to visit emergency rooms in the U.S. each year. A major contributing factor is personal injury accidents. When someone’s negligence causes another to suffer, the victim should be able to obtain the compensation they deserve from the negligent party’s insurance company. But dealing with an insurance claim can be challenging, […]
If a bicyclist is injured in a collision, the negligent party can be held legally responsible for compensating their damages. Summary Bicycle accidents often result from the negligent behavior of one party, whose intentionally reckless or mistake-filled behavior exposes the bicyclist to harm. Some examples of negligent behavior that can cause a bicycle accident include […]
If you don’t ride, then you might think that every two-wheel vehicle is the same. But Florida law treats motorcycles differently from other popular types of motorized vehicles, such as mopeds and scooters. But even though there are differences as far as the law is concerned, the unfortunate reality is that accidents involving motorcycles, mopeds […]
An estimated 1.5 million Americans develop a traumatic brain injury every year. These injuries happen when the brain’s normal functions are disrupted. A disruption like this can occur when a person’s head is impacted in some way. That can happen when the head forcefully meets a surface or sustains a blow. If someone’s head is […]
Speak with us before time runs out! In Florida, you have a limited window to file a personal injury case, so speak to an Attorney today.
Call our personal injury law office directly at (727) 512-9847
Jones Law Group is a dedicated personal injury lawyer in St. Petersburg, FL, serving the Tampa Bay area since 2006. Our experienced attorneys specialize in car accidents, slip and fall cases, employment law disputes, construction law issues, and overtime wage claims, fighting for maximum compensation on a contingency fee basis. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case.
Call our personal injury law office at (727) 512-9847
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