St. Petersburg Pedestrian Accident Lawyer 

At some point during each day, we all are pedestrians. Some people enjoy walking as a form of exercise, but even those who prefer other activities still have to go from the parking lot to their office or cross the street to meet friends at a restaurant.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that pedestrian deaths increased from 5,977 deaths in 2017 to 6,283 in 2018. For every death, many more pedestrians are hit by a driver and suffer life-changing injuries. If you or a loved one has been hit by a driver while walking, it is time to speak with a qualified St. Petersburg pedestrian accident lawyer about your case.

Common Locations of Pedestrian Accidents

• Crosswalks or Intersections –Pedestrians are at high-risk whenever they cross in front of vehicles. While cars should be stopped when a pedestrian has the right of way, drivers who run red lights or make a right hand turn without looking put pedestrians’ lives at risk.
• Parking Lots – Cars do come equipped with new technology such as back up cameras and noise alerts, but drivers must still be attentive to their surroundings when exiting a parking space and cannot rely strictly on these added features. According to the National Safety Council, nine percent of all pedestrian deaths in parking lots come from backing up incidents.
• Streets without Sidewalks – Some residential streets do not have sidewalks or properly maintained ones. When pedestrians are forced into the street they become more vulnerable to a car swerving, turning, or hitting them head-on. Drivers on residential streets can be extra distracted trying to follow directions or mistakenly think that since they are going slower speeds they can let their attention drift. The consequences can be fatal, especially if the vehicle is large.

In addition to where a pedestrian is, the time of day impacts how dangerous it can be. For instance, dusk makes it harder for drivers to see and bad weather can lead to poor visibility. If a driver does not slow for the changing driving conditions, they are more likely to harm a pedestrian.

Activities that Reduce Driver Alertness on the Road and Endanger Pedestrians

• Talking or texting on the phone;
• Trying to handle the needs of children in the car;
• Drowsy driving;
• Driving while emotionally distracted;
• Messing with the stereo or navigation system;
• Picking an item off the ground or from the backseat;
• Drunk driving;
• Driving under the influence of prescription or illegal drugs;
• Speeding to avoid being late; and
• More. 

Contact Us If You Have Been Hit as a Pedestrian in St. Petersburg

If you or a loved one has been hit by a driver while walking, you likely have suffered some traumatic injuries that will take time to recover from. Let the skilled St. Petersburg pedestrian attorneys at the Law Office of Steven G. Lavely handle the legal work so you can focus on your healing. We can investigate your case to prove liability, determine what insurance policies apply, file a personal injury claim on your behalf, and advocate for the best compensation possible. Contact our offices today at 727-550-8800 to schedule a free consultation today where we can discuss your case in more detail.