South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog
Fort Pierce injury lawyers are empathetic to the family who is trying to make sense of the hit-and-run accident that took place earlier this month in our area. It seems senseless for a driver to hit a pedestrian and then take off like nothing ever happened.
Pedestrian accidents in Deerfield Beach, Boynton Beach and throughout South Florida occur every day. Trying to pinpoint a specific location, time of day or even why a pedestrian is struck is nearly impossible. For example, in this particular case, the pedestrian was walking along Jenkins Road at 4:20 a.m. on a Sunday when he was struck by a vehicle on his way home. He had just stopped at a nearby gas station at 4 a.m. but no one knows what he was doing out at that hour on that particular day.
WPTV reports that police are at a loss because they have very few details leading up to or following the accident due to a passerby discovering the body later and calling the authorities with no witnesses at the scene. Officials report the 54 year-old male pedestrian was big enough to do some heavy damage to the vehicle, so they are looking for a vehicle in obvious need of repairs.
There are typically four reasons that a driver may hit someone or something and run. They are impaired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They are driving without a valid license, registration or insurance card. They are inexperienced or driving in a fit of rage and panic under the circumstances. Last, they have something to hide, like a driving a stolen car or are in violation of the law.
Unfortunately, pedestrians who are struck by a vehicle don’t walk away as freely as the driver who is never caught. Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported 482 pedestrians killed in 2009 and thousands more were seriously injured. On average from 2000-2009, more than 500 pedestrians have died each year but the pedestrian fatality rate has gradually declined per 100,000 residents during this time period. Though most would probably think children or older adults are most at risk, it is actually the 45-54 year-old age group that reported the most deaths and injuries in 2009.
Most pedestrians would agree that we need to feel safe on city streets and roadways before we venture out onto the streets. If we examine the reasons why we walk, the majority of pedestrians walk to be more healthy, save money on fuel, establish a ‘go green’ attitude by not wanting to pollute the air or just plain love the activity and outdoor weather.
FLHSMV urges Florida pedestrians to walk safely by staying out of vehicle blind spots, cross with caution, and use walking areas when they are available. Using sidewalks and crosswalks can help alert motorists that you are there and help you stay out of harm’s way.
If you need advisement because you or someone close to you has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Hollywood, Sunrise, St. Lucie or the surrounding areas, contact a personal injury lawyer at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC. Call 1-800-561-7777 for a free consultation with an experienced attorney today.
Additional Resources:
Pedestrian Scott Colson killed in Ft. Pierce hit-and-run, by Elliott Jones posted on WPTV.
More Blog Entries:
Elderly Woman Killed from Car-Pedestrian Accident in Palm Beach County, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, September 5, 2011.
73-Year-Old Woman Killed in Fort Lauderdale Teen Car Accident, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, July 11, 2011.