Tampa police reported that a woman was killed on April 8 after being hit by a car while walking across Hillsborough Avenue. The 33-year-old Tampa woman and her friend were both reportedly attempting to cross the street between 40th and 42nd streets shortly before 9 p.m., at a section of the road where there was no crosswalk.
The woman who was hit died at the scene of the accident. Her friend was not seriously injured. One of the officers who investigated the accident said it seemed that either the women did not see the coming vehicle at all, or they severely misjudged its speed. The driver stopped after the accident and has cooperated fully with the police investigation, and there are not likely to be any charges filed against the driver.
The accident was a sobering reminder of the dangers that pedestrians face while attempting to cross busy streets. In most situations, drivers are considered to be responsible for any accidents that occur with pedestrians. However, because there was no crosswalk where the women were crossing the street and because they apparently darted into traffic without enough time for the driver to stop or avoid them, the driver cannot be held liable in this situation.
Pedestrians are reminded to always look both ways before crossing the street and to cross at marked crosswalks wherever possible. Motorists are reminded to yield to pedestrians when they are at crosswalks and to constantly remain vigilant for pedestrians entering the roadway.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a pedestrian in a car accident, speak with a dedicated Bradenton personal injury lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.