South Florida is home to some lively, beautiful, and highly walkable metropolitan areas like Miami, Tampa, Key West, Jacksonville, Sarasota, and Boca Raton. In fact, Redfin Real Estate has ranked Miami as the 5th most walkable city in the entire United States!
If you’re looking for somewhere to get by with little or no driving, then you can’t really go wrong with the lower Sunshine State. But unfortunately, that pedestrian accessibility can present a double-edged sword for pedestrians; just as high walkability can offer immense convenience for pedestrians, it can also present immense inconveniences for pedestrians.
The word “inconvenience” itself is an understatement. According to a Sun Growth America report analyzing data compiled over the last decade:
- Florida suffered 1,675 pedestrian deaths between 2010 and 2019
- Florida accounted for 9 of the Top 20 most dangerous pedestrian metro areas
- BIPOC pedestrians were victimized at an 82% higher rate than white pedestrians
- Older and lower-income pedestrians were also particularly vulnerable demographics
- Overall, Florida was the #1 deadliest of the Top 10 deadliest states for pedestrians
Far too often, negligent motorists, cyclists, and motorcyclists endanger the lives of Florida pedestrians, and far too often, they endanger the lives of people already placed in vulnerable lots in life.
These pedestrians are often struck as a result of clear negligence, callousness, and disregard exercised by the negligent drivers or riders who struck them. Moreover, when you consider that the average car weighs around two tons, that amounts to a lot of potential for injury against a pedestrian.
So what do you do right after you are injured by an irresponsible motorist or cyclist? Who can you trust to fight for you in the aftermath of such a traumatic event?
What To Do After A Pedestrian Accident In Florida
Understandably, you’ll be very disoriented and shocked after an event as traumatic as a pedestrian. That said, it’s still important that you be proactive and prudent in responding to a pedestrian collision accident – especially if you were the pedestrian who was struck.
So, how exactly do you respond with prudence and proactivity? You do so by adhering to as many of the following steps as you can:
- Call 9-1-1 to send first responders to the accident scene
- Move out of the road and to safety, if possible
- Wait for first responders to arrive
- Obtain the contact info of all parties involved, if possible
- Seek urgent medical assistance
Obviously, if you were incapacitated or left unconscious by the collision, it’s the legal responsibility of others to get you to safety, not yourself. Once you’re finally to safety and recovered from your injuries, it’s best to consider seeking legal assistance ASAP.
Choose the Right Boca Raton Pedestrian Accident Attorneys – Choose Demand The Limits
Our winning Boca Raton personal injury team has obtained successful results for our clients time and time again, including a $100,000 personal injury settlement for a pedestrian who was struck by a passing vehicle. If you or someone you know was struck as a pedestrian in Southern Florida, we can help guide you toward the road to recovery. Contact us today and arrange an initial consultation to help us help you.
