South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog
An elderly woman from Boca Raton was killed in a recent car-pedestrian accident in Palm Beach County, according to The Palm Beach Post News. According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office the 85-year-old woman passed away at the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami after she was involved in the accident earlier in August at the 22000 block of Camino Del Mar.
The accident report stated that the accident happened as the elderly woman was waiting at the crosswalk for her caretaker. The caretaker ran over the woman as she attempted to back to vehicle up. The driver hit the gas pedal instead of the brake and hit the curb, then a wood pole and then the elderly woman. After the incident, she was initially taken to Delray Medical Center and then later transported to Jackson Hospital. Charges against the driver are currently pending, according to media reports.
Our pedestrian attorneys in Pembroke Pines, Oakland Park and Cooper City understand that older pedestrians are more vulnerable to pedestrian accidents than their younger counterparts.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 800 people over the age of 64 were killed in pedestrian-traffic accidents in the United States in 2009. This elderly population accounted for nearly 20 percent of all of the pedestrian accidents reported for the entire year. With the increase in the elderly population, an increase of roughly 13 percent from 2000 to 2009, we can expect more elderly pedestrians to be traveling our roadways. Serious accidents involving these individuals can be prevented with safe, alert and cautious driving habits.
For the elderly population, more than 60 percent of pedestrian deaths that occurred in 2009 happened at non-intersection locations.
There are a number of unfortunate factors contributing to the risks of elderly pedestrian accidents:
-Elderly residents are more likely to experience hearing and vision difficulties.
-Many seniors are less mobile as they require the use of a wheelchair, a walker or a cane.
-Many elderly residents suffer from age-related illnesses that affect their mental health, like dementia.
-Seniors may find it difficult to cross the street in the amount of time allotted by crosswalk signals.
Here are some senior-friendly safety tips for those walking our streets:
-Make sure you’ve got enough time to cross a street. Don’t start crossing a street unless you know how long the WALK signal has been lit up for. It’s wise for you to wait until the next cycle if you’re not sure.
-Have your eyes and ears checked periodically. Aids to help these senses can greatly reduce your risks of being involved in a serious accident.
-Don’t be shy. Ask for help if you need it. Most residents understand that seniors may require some assistance and won’t hesitate to help.
-Don’t assume that drivers will stop. Always assume that a driver can’t see you. Unfortunately, motorists have been known to fly by elderly seniors with little to no regard for their safety.
The Coconut Creek pedestrian accident attorneys at Freeman & Mallard have been successfully and aggressively representing accident victims and their families in Fort Lauderdale, Miamar, and Ft. Pierce /Port St. Lucie for years. Call us today to schedule a no-obligation appointment to discuss your case at 1-800-529-2368.
Additional Resources:
Suburban Boca Raton woman, 85, dies after early August accident, by Julius Whigham II, The Palm Beach Post News
More Blog Entries:
Man Struck by Three Cars in West Palm Pedestrian Accident, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, July 15, 2011
New Report Ranks Florida First in Fatal Pedestrian Accidents, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, June 7, 2011