Pedestrian accidents resulted in 899 deaths in Florida in 2021 alone, and thousands of injuries. This makes Florida the second-deadliest state for pedestrians in the nation.
Fortunately, we can all help in reducing these numbers and making Florida safe for everyone. Drivers can help by:
Pedestrian accidents are a leading cause of injury in Plantation and other South Florida communities. Whether you live in Miami, Homestead, Plantation, or any other city or town, there are things you can do to reduce the risk of pedestrian accidents—especially if you’re a parent.
Children are unfortunately especially at risk of pedestrian accidents. They may walk to school, for example, and may be less visible to drivers because they are smaller. Kids can also forget about the rules of road safety when they’re excited about getting somewhere and may accidentally dart into the street.
The back-to-school routine and morning commute can always feel hectic. Car accidents in Homestead and across southern Florida often occur during the morning commute, thanks to a combination of distraction, fatigue, rushing, and the general chaos of the morning hour. This year, the back-to-school driving routine can become even riskier because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is because:
Child passengers face some unique risks when it comes to Homestead car accidents. The smaller bodies of children are more likely to be adversely affected by crashes and children have little say about who drives them. Parents have a responsibility to ensure those who transport their children are safe.
Moreover, parents have a duty to teach car safety early. Children start learning about road safety long before they apply for a driver’s permit at age 16. Kids also need to learn how to stay safe around cars so they can safely navigate being a pedestrian. Here’s how you can make sure your children grow up ready to live near cars:
Now that we are headed back to school, most parents need to think about the school commute. For many children and families in Hollywood and South Florida, this is the riskiest part of the day. Heavy morning and afternoon traffic as well as congestion at school drop off and pick up zones can mean pedestrian accidents and car accidents are a greater danger.
School bus injuries, car accidents, and pedestrian accidents can lead to a range of devastating injuries, including head injuries, fractures, sprains and other serious injuries. During the school year, parents on the morning and afternoon commute are competing with other workers, other parents, and school buses who are all sharing the road. Here’s how to make your commute safer:
At this time of year, parents and families are getting ready for back to school, and that means school buses. While school buses are generally safe, they are involved in traffic collisions which can cause devastating injuries.
In Hollywood and other communities, pedestrian accidents are actually more likely with school buses. The greatest moments of danger for children are when they are disembarking or boarding the bus. There are a few ways you can help keep your kids safe:
You may think your children are too young to talk to about car safety before the age of 16 or so, but it is one of the most important conversations you will have with your kids, regardless of their age. The reality is that long before your children have their learner’s permit, they will be driven around by other people, including family, friends, babysitters, and more. They are still at risk of auto accidents, long before they can drive. In fact, car accidents in Hollywood and other South Florida communities are a leading cause of injuries and fatalities involving children.
Of course, the adults in your child’s life have a responsibility to keep your child safe. However, it’s never too early to start teaching your children a healthy respect for cars and teaching them the good habits they will need for the rest of their life. From an early age, you will want to talk to them about several topics:
A study from the Governors Highway Safety Association has found that fatalities for pedestrian accidents in 2018 increased. In fact, 2018 will be the most deadly year for pedestrian injuries since the 1990s.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, an estimated 6227 US pedestrian suffered fatal injuries in 2018. Researchers suggest more SUVs on the roads, more risky driving behaviors, and more pedestrians walking more often.
Parking lot accidents in Homestead and across Florida do cause serious injury, even though they usually do not involve high speeds. Even slowed down to slip into a parking spot, multiple directions of traffic, close quarters, and a combination of pedestrian, car, and truck traffic can all spell danger for drivers.
Parking lot accidents lead to many types of injuries, including crushing injuries, head trauma, back injury, soft tissue injury, whiplash, and other injuries. You especially want to be careful in these zones of the parking lot:
New studies about electric scooters show what many parents in Homestead and other communities already know: e-scooters are responsible for serious injuries. While popular, electric scooters caused thousands of injuries last year and there is growing concern about the life-threatening injuries possible with this mode of transportation.
Unfortunately, many injuries with these devices affect children under the age of 18. Common injuries include head trauma, fractures, facial abrasions, and other serious injuries. You can reduce your risk of collisions if you:
Florida Car Accident Lawyer Blog