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Pedestrian accidents in Palmetto Bay and other South Florida cities are a serious cause of concern. While Florida offers beautiful walking trails, green spaces, and a mild climate that is perfect for walking, pedestrians who want to enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise do face the issue of possibly being involved in a serious accident and being severely injured. Pedestrian accidents often lead to spinal cord injuries, fractures, soft tissue damage, and head injuries in Palmetto Bay and other communities. All too often, these types of accidents lead to permanent or fatal injuries.

There many issues that lead to these types of personal injuries in Palmetto Bay and other Florida cities:

1) Visibility. Visibility issues can make it hard for motorists to see pedestrians. Visibility issues can result from dark nighttime conditions, weather conditions, inadequate lighting on city streets, fog, and other issues. Pedestrians can help avoid pedestrian-car accidents in Palmetto Bay and other communities by wearing reflective clothing and light clothing that is easy to spot.

2) Distraction. Distracted driving causes many car and truck accidents in Palmetto Bay and across Florida each year. Distracted driving can also easily lead to pedestrian accidents. Drivers who are looking at mobile devices, or changing music, or otherwise distracted may not notice a pedestrian crossing and may collide with a pedestrian because they cannot stop in time.

3) Speed. Speeding can make it harder for motorists to stop in time to avoid a collision with a pedestrian.

4) Road and sidewalk conditions. Road and sidewalk conditions are a key factor leading to many pedestrian accidents. Some communities are already making changes by providing additional barriers, wider sidewalks, and other features which can make it easier for pedestrians and cars to share the road. One issue that often occurs with pedestrian accidents is that pedestrians and cars must share the road in some areas due to lack of sidewalks. Providing added places for walking, as well as providing additional walking trails where pedestrians can walk separate from traffic can help reduce the instances of pedestrian accidents across South Florida.

5) Driver error. In many cases, drivers make errors that lead to accidents. Drivers may ignore traffic signals and signs, may speed, may drive distracted or drunk, or may make other choices that affect their ability to spot and react appropriately to pedestrians.

6) Pedestrian error. In some cases, pedestrians make errors that can lead to a collision. For example, pedestrians will sometimes walk in the dark without wearing reflective clothing or will step out between cars and into traffic without looking both ways.

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Halloween night presents a number of challenges for drivers, the biggest challenge being the groups of trick-or-treaters out on the streets. Hialeah pedestrian accidents are in fact a much greater threat to trick-or-treaters than injuries caused by candy. To avoid a Hialeah traffic accident this year, consider the following tips:

1) Consider a curfew and other rules for teen drivers. Teen drivers are most at risk because they are less experienced. Set some rules or consider having new drivers avoid driving entirely on Halloween night to prevent Hialeah pedestrian accidents.

2) Consider a party instead of trick-or-treating. Hosting a party rather than having children trick-or-treat can be a safe alternative that still stays fun. If you are hosting a Halloween party that is not just for kids, either make it alcohol-free or have a safe transportation option for your guests to avoid the risk of Hialeah drunk driving accidents.

3) Have everyone outfitted with visible costumes. If you have children who are trick-or-treating, ensure that the costumes are safe. The costumes should not have long hems that can pose a trip hazard or masks and hoods that block visibility. Costumes should be highly visible and should have reflective strips to make them more visible to motorists.

4) If your children go trick-or-treating, insist that they go with an adult and in a group. An adult can supervise to ensure that children do not run out into the road while a group of children can ensure that they are more visible.

5) If you are taking children trick or treating, walk along one side of the street before crossing at a crosswalk and working down the opposite side of the road. Children often want to run back and forth across the road, but this can increase the odds of a Hialeah car accident.

6) If you will be driving on Halloween night and Halloween afternoon, exercise extra caution. Children may start trick-or-treating early and not all will follow safety rules or cross at crosswalks.

7) Consider a night in. If there is nowhere you have to drive on Halloween night, consider renting movies or staying in on that night. The fewer cars are on the roads, the safer the streets will be with the extra influx of pedestrians.

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According to a recent study, elderly pedestrians may be more at risk than elderly drivers. According to the study, conducted at the University of Plymouth, pedestrians over the age of 70 were five times more likely to suffer fatal injuries when they headed out to walk, when compared with pedestrians between the ages of 21 to 29. Jonathan Rolison, who led the study, said that making the roads safer for all pedestrians means not only creating safer roads for elderly drivers but also safer streets for elderly pedestrians.

The research study reviewed U.K. police data for fatal traffic accidents that took place from 1989 to 2009. According to researchers, the results suggested that the risk of fatal injuries was similar for younger drivers and older drivers. For drivers under the age of 29, 13 in 100 million drives resulted in a fatality. For drivers over 70, the rate was 14 in 100 million driving trips. It was when researchers looked fatality rates among pedestrians that they saw a significant difference based on age. For elderly pedestrians, 23 in 100 million walking trips were fatal, a rate that was five times higher than the rate of pedestrian fatalities for younger walkers.

While a great deal has been written about the risk of Miami car accidents for elderly drivers, this latest research suggests that Miami pedestrian accidents may be an even greater concern. Many experts believe that the elderly are more at risk for Miami traffic accidents due to such conditions as dementia, eye problems, and other health conditions which can affect an elderly person’s ability to drive safely. However, some of the same health conditions that the elderly have a disproportionately high risk for also make the elderly vulnerable to pedestrian accidents. Moreover, since many elderly residents of Miami decide to take walks in order to maintain their health and in order to get around, Miami pedestrian accidents can be a significant issue – even when an elderly driver decides to give up their keys and stop driving.

It is everyone’s responsibility to make the streets of Miami as safe as possible, and that does mean making streets safer for pedestrians. Of course, there many things that elderly pedestrians and their families can do in order to keep elderly pedestrians safer. For example, elderly pedestrians can wear visible clothing and sturdy shoes in order to prevent pedestrian accidents. They can also take good care of their health in order to ensure that Miami slip and fall accidents are less of a risk. However, it is also up to legislators and the city to ensure that sidewalks and public spaces are safe for all pedestrians.

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Chicago recently unrolled its pedestrian safety plan, joining the ranks of cities such as Portland and New York, which have their own plans for preventing serious pedestrian accidents. The Chicago plan has 250 recommendations to prevent injuries and fatalities. Could Fort Lauderdale benefit from a similar plan? Some of the recommendations in the Chicago policy could help prevent Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents as well:

1) Chicanes. Chicanes are extra turns added to a roadway to slow traffic down. Since in many cases Fort Lauderdale traffic accidents are caused by speeding, reducing traffic speed can be a good way to slash the risk of accidents.

2) Pedestrian islands. In some cases, Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents occur because a car enters a pedestrian area. Pedestrian islands keep pedestrians separated from cars and discourage pedestrians from entering traffic.

3) Midblock curb bumpouts. These narrow portions of a street to slow traffic, usually by extending the curb. This is yet another way to reduce speed in order to help prevent Fort Lauderdale car accidents.

4) A system for repairing two high-collision areas and four dangerous intersections each year. The Chicago plan calls for authorities to find and address dangerous intersections and corridors annually. Fort Lauderdale also has high collision areas and areas that are considered especially dangerous. Identifying and rectifying these problems can help prevent traffic accidents.

5) Speed humps. Reducing speed with speed bumps is effective, according to experts, because speed bumps work whether there is enforcement or not. Most cars will slow down rather than taking speed bumps at a high speed, making them more effective than simply lowering the speed limits.

6) Pedestrian scrambles. A pedestrian scramble stops all vehicle traffic at an intersection and allows pedestrians to walk in every direction at the same time. Pedestrians can even walk diagonally. Pedestrian scrambles work because they prevent pedestrians and cars from sharing an intersection at the same time. It helps prevent Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents caused by cars turning into a pedestrian area.

7) Road diets. Road diets reduce the number of lanes on some roads, reducing traffic and therefore crashes. Former Florida Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator Dan Burden is a fan of road diets, noting that they improve road safety and may help prevent Fort Lauderdale bicycle accidents and Florida traffic accidents.

Roundabouts. These round intersections separate pedestrians from traffic entirely, by having pedestrians stay one car length outside of the intersection. When crossing this type of intersection, pedestrians only face oncoming traffic from one area and traffic is slowed down significantly in roundabouts, which could also reduce the risk of Fort Lauderdale traffic accidents.

9) An improved pedestrian network, including wayfinding systems and better walking access points to public transit. In some cases, Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents occur simply because pedestrians do not have safe areas to walk. For example, some neighborhoods do not have adequate sidewalks.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

Pedestrian accidents are among the most serious Hialeah traffic accidents in that pedestrians involved in these accidents almost always face serious injuries or even fatal injuries. The size and force of a car, coupled with the fact that pedestrians have little to no protection from the impact of a car crash, combine to create serious accidents. While the driver in this type of accident will often walk away unharmed, the pedestrian is typically rushed to a hospital with Hialeah head injuries, spinal cord injuries, or other life-threatening injuries. According to experts, there are many things that can be done to prevent these types of accidents:

1) Place barriers at intersections. Some experts feel that physical barriers at high-risk intersections would help prevent pedestrians from walking into traffic and helps provide a level of protection for pedestrians waiting to cross a street.

2) Provide more spaces for pedestrians. One issue that often leads to Hialeah pedestrian accidents is the fact that in many cases pedestrians and drivers need to share a space. For example, some residential areas have wide lawns but no sidewalks, forcing pedestrians into the road. Even in places where there are sidewalks, there may not be adequate crosswalks and intersection spaces for pedestrians. Some experts also feel that providing more green spaces and walking trails for pedestrians ensures that there are recreational walking areas that are well away from cars.

3) Educate pedestrians. Pedestrians need to be aware of the dangers of traffic. They need to understand, for example, that texting or listening to music while walking can be distracting, and just as drivers need to focus on the road, so do pedestrians to help prevent accidents.

4) Educate drivers. Drivers need to be reminded often that there is a risk in not anticipating hazards. When drivers drive by a park or school, for example, they should be prepared for the possibility of pedestrians stepping out into traffic. Just as pedestrians play a role in preventing accidents, so do drivers.

5) Address the issue of distracted driving. Currently, Florida does not have any texting bans and of course many types of distractions possible while driving – such as eating or changing music – are not banned anywhere. Nevertheless, distracted driving has been proven to be a contributing factor to many Hialeah car accidents and pedestrian accidents. When drivers are not focused on the road, they can easily fail to notice a pedestrian cross the street.

6) Re-evaluate public transit routes for pedestrian safety. One of the biggest dangers for pedestrian accidents involves the moment when public transit users step off a bus. In many cases, passengers attempt to cross the street and find their way blocked by a bus or traffic. Different street designs at major bus stops would ensure that pedestrians can disembark from a bus safely – right to a safe pedestrian area.

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Car manufacturers have been introducing new safety features to market their products and to create safer roadways. From seat belts to air bags, safety features help prevent injuries when a car is involved in a Miami car accident. However, the latest wave of safety features for cars is aimed not just at preventing injuries, but also at preventing accidents from occurring in the first place.

One of the latest of these features has exciting implications for possibly preventing Miami pedestrian accidents in the future. The new features include what are known as advanced safety vehicles (ASV) as well as specially-developed car bodies that reduce the impact when pedestrians are hit.

One system, the Eye Sight system, used in Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. cars, sounds a large alarm when the car approaches too closely to an object or a person. If the car continues to move forward, the device automatically applies the brakes slightly. If the driver still does not move to prevent a car accident, the car automatically brakes at a distance from the object. The system works in conjunction with a camera and sensors. When the car approaches any object too closely, the device automatically acts to prevent a collision. The device may be less sensitive in bad weather and may not work in cases where pedestrians jump in front of a car suddenly, however.

Some models of cars in Japan already have the system as of 2008 and an updated version of the Eye Sight system was released in 2010. The system was developed as part of a larger effort to develop ASV cars, an imitative supported by the then- Transport Ministry in Japan in 1991. Among other developments created as a result of that initiative are devices which sound an alarm if a car swerves. That device is developed to wave fatigued drivers if they nod off at the wheel.

Another development involves increasing the shock absorbency of car hoods and increasing the space between the hood and the engine. These innovations are meant to reduce some of the injuries which occur in pedestrian accidents. In these accidents, fatal injuries mostly occur when pedestrians sustain injuries by crashing through the hood into the engine. The new developments are meant to reduce this type of fatal injury.

While manufacturers and experts agree that the new devices will not prevent all accidents and are no substitute for good driving, the devices are intended to help drivers. Currently, only luxury cars have the features. This means that in Japan less than 1% of cars have the special features. However, if the devices prove useful in preventing car crashes and injuries, they may eventually become more standard on both sides of the Atlantic. They may eventually help prevent Miami traffic accidents and injuries as well.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog

During the holidays and the weeks leading up to the holidays, Florida car accidents often increase in frequency. There are many reasons for this. Many of us are driving more often to take care of holiday errands and visits. As well, slippery roads can easily lead to car accidents. Shorter days and less visibility are a contributing factor to many accidents at this time of year and unfortunately, Florida drunk driving accidents are also more common at this time of year, as some motorists partake of good cheer and decide to drive home.

Florida pedestrian accidents are also more common at this time of year. Unfortunately, many of us are in crowded store parking lots, rushing about with our to-do lists. High stress and more traffic in pedestrian and car shared areas can lead to more accidents. As well, there are often more pedestrians about as people walk from store to store or head out to visit friends. There are also more delivery persons making deliveries, meaning more people walking about. Now is the time to do your part to prevent Florida car accidents and pedestrian accidents. Here’s how:

1) Have a plan for getting home safely. If you decide to drink at a holiday event, make sure that you have money to get home or a plan to get home. Preventing Florida drunk driving accidents starts with planning ahead.

2) Be alert for more pedestrians and more cars on the roads. More trucks are on the roads at this time of year, too, as stores go into overdrive to meet consumer demand. Adjust your driving.

3) Adjust your driving to weather conditions. It gets darker at this time of year, which means less visibility. At the same time, holiday lights can cause glare or distract drivers. Wet roads can further compound these problems, especially with more people on the road. Slow down, use your lights and wipers, and stay alert.

4) Note and respect new pedestrian areas. Some stores create new pedestrian areas in order to encourage shoppers. These pedestrian areas may result in closed parking lots or closed streets. Stay tuned to traffic updates on your radio so that you can anticipate and respect these pedestrian areas.

5) Put away your mobile device. Distracted driving is deadly at any time of year, but it is especially dangerous during the holidays, when extra traffic and poorer lighting put you at even greater risk. Your phone conversation or text is not worth the heartbreak you would cause a family this holiday season if you caused an accident. Put your mobile device away and turn it off when driving.

6) Get your car tuned up. Make sure your breaks are in good working order, your tires are in top shape and your wipers and wiper fluid are ready for wet weather. When your car is in good shape, it responds better and allows you to avoid collisions more easily.

Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog