A pedestrian is in critical condition after being hit by a car while crossing Beneva Road in Sarasota in late August.
The pedestrian, a 67-year old man, suffered critical injuries after the Chevy Malibu of 22-year-old Ishmael Malik Holt struck him. The accident took place as Holt attempted to make a left-hand turn at an intersection. Charges against Holt are pending, but police officials reported that they do not believe he was operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash.
Pedestrian accidents
According to a 2006 report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 60,000 pedestrians are injured each year in the United States. Pedestrians often suffer severe injuries in these collisions, even when a vehicle is traveling as slow as 10 miles per hour.
Despite the great risk of injury involved in pedestrian accidents, the driver is not always found to be at fault. If you are a pedestrian, it is important that you follow traffic laws to ensure both your safety as well as that of other pedestrians, drivers, passengers and bystanders.
While walking, always cross streets at a corner and use traffic signals to guide you when you move to the other side of a street. Intersections are among the most common places in which pedestrian accidents take place, as motorists may not allow proper response time to see or maneuver around people using the crosswalk. To increase your visibility, wear bright or reflective clothing while walking at night. You may also choose to carry a flashlight.
If you have been injured in an accident and would like to learn more about your legal options, speak with a knowledgeable Bradenton pedestrian accident attorney at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.