Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

Transportation for America recently released their 2011 edition of their pedestrian safety report. This report examines the most recent data of pedestrian accidents in Fort Myers and elsewhere throughout the country. This study looked information of pedestrian accidents between 2000 to 2009 and concluded that Florida is number one for pedestrian fatalities.

The study reveals that Lee County reported to have witnessed nearly 200 pedestrian deaths over the last 10 years. These deaths made up nearly 20 percent of all recorded traffic fatalities for this time period. Pedestrian fatalities are more than 40 percent higher than that of the national average. Collier County saw more than 50 pedestrian deaths in the last 10 years, which makes up nearly 10 percent of all traffic deaths in the area, according to the News-Press.

Our Fort Myers pedestrian accident attorneys understand that accidents involving a motor vehicle and a pedestrian can often end with fatal results, especially in Florida. For this reason, we urge all motorists to be extra cautious when driving on our roadways and to keep an eye out for our pedestrians as we're ranked number one in a contest we don't want to win.

After analyzing this information, Dangerous by Design 2011 looks over the results and creates ways to tackle the epidemic with solutions to decrease pedestrian death and injury on our roadways.

With the Sunshine State providing such beautiful weather year around, it is no surprise than many residents and visitors enjoy getting out in the open air to enjoy what our area has to offer.

The new reports states that, in the examined years, approximately 47,000 pedestrians were killed walking along our nation's streets. It also shows that another 668,000 pedestrians were injured during this time period.

The new additions of the report let us take a closer look into the areas that are most dangerous to our pedestrians. The website offers a link to visit an interactive map to see just how many accidents have occurred on roadways in your community.

Florida ranks as the number one most dangerous state for pedestrians as it has continuously seen the most pedestrian deaths. More than 5,000 pedestrians were killed during this time period in our state alone. These fatalities cost the state more than $22 billion.

Most of U.S. pedestrian fatalities occur on "arterial" roads that are just dangerous by design as they have been engineered to accommodate speedy traffic instead of pedestrian traffic.

If you'd like to help create change for pedestrian safety, you are urged to contact Congress and notify them about which areas needs improvements. With your help, pedestrian safety advocates hope to sway Congress to keep funding to help ensure the safety of our pedestrians.