Is It Safe To Be A Pedestrian In Venice And Surrounding Areas?
Most people don't view walking as a dangerous activity. So, they strap shoes on their feet and take off, sometimes without a care in the world. Good for you if you can be included in that category in Venice or a surrounding location. Congratulations are in order because that means you're getting in the steps to stay active and healthy. Thus, with any luck, no health-related issues will be headed your way in the future.
Not only that, but you're likely saving yourself a ton of money. After all, have you seen the gas prices today? Sure, they may have dipped in recent weeks, but they're still high. According to Yahoo! News, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was $3.92 on August 1, 2022. Of course, there are other savings to be had by not driving too.
For instance, those who don't own cars at all don't have to worry about purchasing insurance. Or, if vehicles aren't driven, they may not need maintenance or repairs. The list can go on and on, but that's not today's focus. Instead, we are here to reveal some pedestrian crash stats and facts to show folks that they may not be 100 percent safe by traveling in this manner.
Info Obtained Via The FLHSMV
According to the FLHSMV, there were 8,117 pedestrian crashes across Florida in 2020. These events caused 1,265 incapacitating injuries and 5,039 other injuries. In addition, the accidents were responsible for 715 pedestrian fatalities. 2020 was little better than the year before as far as pedestrian crashes and injuries were concerned, but not much.
The research shows the Sunshine State accounted for 9,736 of the incidents in 2019. They created 1,524 incapacitating injuries and 6,369 other injuries. But that's not all. In that same year, 734 pedestrian fatalities came to be.
Facts From The NHTSA
Florida isn't the only place where pedestrian crashes come to light. The NHTSA or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website proves that. It is estimated that 55,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide in 2020. Meanwhile, 6,516 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes that same year. That equals one pedestrian losing their life every 81 minutes.
What Causes Pedestrian Crashes?
Sometimes, pedestrians are to blame for accidents. Perhaps a person steps off a curb right, not at a cross walk, and right in front of a car. However, it is negligent drivers who are at fault more often than not. Negligence comes in many forms, such as texting and driving, driving under the influence, failing to obey traffic laws, etc.
What should a pedestrian do if they're injured in a crash because of someone's negligence? The answer to that depends, but due to medical expenses and lost wages likely entering the picture, they may want to seek compensation for their damages. And what about family members who lose loved ones in incidents? It can also a good idea for them to go after restitution.
The winnings certainly won't make up for what they've lost, but they can prove to be helpful. For instance, the relative might could be responsible for paying for the funeral, and that won't be cheap. Research shows that the minimum cost for a funeral in Florida is $6,500 these days, but that's the minimum. Hence, that means the price could run upwards of that figure, and that's a lot of money.
Do You Need A Personal Injury Attorney?
If a pedestrian crash arises and you find yourself in need of a personal injury attorney in Venice, look no further than Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh. You'll be in great hands with the team because they bring over 150 years of law experience to the table. So, don't hesitate to contact the company to schedule a free case evaluation if an issue presents itself.
