A man in a wheelchair died from injuries he suffered in February 2 accident involving a pickup truck St. Petersburg, Florida.
According to local police, the accident occurred just after 3 p.m. at the intersection of 55th Street North and First Avenue North. A nearby resident said it is somewhat common see or hear cars zipping past at high speeds. He heard the crash happen that afternoon, first hearing a vehicle slam on its brakes and then a large thud. When he walked out of his home, he saw the motorized wheelchair trapped underneath the pickup.
The man driving the truck reportedly said he was not speeding and claimed the man in the wheelchair “came out of nowhere.” The driver is cooperating with investigators. The 61-year-old victim was transported to a nearby hospital, but later passed away.
Locals say the intersection needs a traffic light to prevent further accidents from occurring, as there has been a history of serious crashes. With a playground located just a couple blocks away, it is also an area where many children are crossing the street.
Liability and pedestrian accidents
All motorists must obey the rules of the road and yield to pedestrians. Even if a pedestrian does not have the right of way, a driver should slow down and avoid a collision, if possible. This includes instances in which a person on foot may be crossing the street illegally.
There are some circumstances, however, in which a driver simply cannot be expected to stop on time and avoid hitting a person. This may be the case if a pedestrian jumps out into traffic or is wearing dark colors after the sun has gone down. In these situations, a motorist may not be considered liable if an accident occurs.
For further information on determining liability after a car or pedestrian accident, contact a skilled Bradenton personal injury lawyer with Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.