Headlines That Reveal The Dangers Posed To Pedestrians Along Florida's Roadways
Pedestrian accidents are nothing new. Instead, they are issues that have been occurring for years and years. Don't just take the word of this article, though; there are stats to back up this claim. According to Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, The Sunshine State accounted for 9,085 pedestrian crashes in 2015, another 9,102 in 2016, and 9,420 in 2017.
These episodes are quite scary for everyone involved. After all, skin and bones are not a match for a 1,000 plus pound vehicle. As per the 2017 accidents, the research indicates that 8,126 injuries were sustained. Wounds can include anything from burns to broken bones to traumatic brain injury. Additionally, the 2017 events led to 659 pedestrian fatalities.
For this post, we are going to focus on the wrongful death aspect. Family members are left grieving the loss of a loved one that was taken before his or her time. Then, they have to start funeral preparations, which are not cheap. An article posted on bestliferates.org states that an average, plain Jane funeral in the United States runs between $8,000 and $10,000. That is not an amount that most households have hanging around in a checking or savings account.
Hence, a spouse, brother, sister, mother, father, or another relative may have to take out a second mortgage or loan to pay for the event. Thus, they can run into financial hardships later on. However, if the motorist acted negligently, the family may be entitled to compensation, which can help pay for the funeral. Negligent acts include things like driving under the influence, speeding, texting while behind the wheel, and more.
An Experienced Law Firm Can Prove Fault
It can be challenging to prove that the other party was being reckless at the time of the incident. Yet, our team has the experience and know-how to do just that. We will get witness testimonies, obtain the police report, secure surveillance camera footage, and collect other types of evidence to build a robust case. So, don't delay any longer. If your loved one was taken from you too early because of someone's negligence, contact our office for a free consultation today. We will explain where your claim stands, without causing you to have to break the bank. Then, if everything checks out, our partners will fight on your behalf to recover the settlement that your family deserves.
Pedestrian Accidents Happen Quite Frequently
The numbers above show how often pedestrian accidents occur. Yet, most people don't fully grasp the significance of the situation until they hear about or see an issue that took place close to home. Therefore, Floridians should take a look at some of these headlines from our area to gain insight into the matter.
• Orlando Sentinel – Pedestrian Killed In Crash On Colonial Drive
• Sun-Sentinel – "He Came Out Of Nowhere," Says Driver In Crash That Killed Pedestrian On I-95 Overpass
• U.S. News & World Report – Trooper: University Student Kills Pedestrian In Crash
• WPLG – Car Strikes Pedestrian, Then Crashes Into Building In Miami Gardens
Hence, citizens shouldn't go around thinking that a pedestrian accident could not ever affect their family. These stories reveal that the incidents often occur closer to home than one might believe. Just know that our firm is here to help if a situation ever presents itself.