A female pedestrian was seriously injured after a vehicle reportedly struck her in Sanford, Florida. According to police, the woman was walking her bike across the road in a crosswalk when a vehicle approached traveling southbound and struck her. She sustained serious injuries and was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, where she was listed in critical condition.
Although the pedestrian was walking across the street in a crosswalk, she was reportedly doing so at a red light. The approaching vehicle had the green light and likely did not see the woman before it was too late.
Causes of pedestrian crashes
Accidents under these circumstances are somewhat common, as many pedestrians attempt to cross on a red light or “don’t walk” sign because they do not see any traffic coming. They may underestimate the speed of oncoming vehicles, failing to complete the crossing in time to avoid a crash.
On the other hand, drivers who fail to pay attention to the road in front of them may fail to see pedestrians, resulting in an accident. The most common scenarios involve motorists turning at an intersection and striking pedestrians in crosswalks, as they forget to account for the fact that there may be people traveling on foot.
Both pedestrians and motorists have a responsibility to pay attention at all times to help avoid these dangerous accidents. Everyone is expected to follow traffic laws, which means stopping fully at intersections and only proceeding at green lights and/or “walk” signs. To help achieve greater levels of safety, pedestrians and bicyclists should wear bright, reflective clothing at night to increase their visibility.
After a serious pedestrian or bike accident in Florida, be sure to speak with a dedicated personal injury lawyer at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh to learn about your legal options.