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The Fort Myers Police Department reported a pedestrian was injured after being struck by a car in Fort Myers on August 13, 2019 at the intersection of Colonial Boulevard and Veronica Shoemaker Boulevard. The injured pedestrian was taken to Lee Memorial Hospital for treatment, after being found conscious in the roadway.

In the first half of 2018, Florida ranked in the top five for the most pedestrian fatalities. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), an estimated 6,227 pedestrians were killed in 2018. This is an increase of 250 from 2017.

“The alarm bells continue to sound on this issue. It’s clear we need to fortify our collective efforts to protect pedestrians and reverse the trend,” GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins said in a press release about the rising number of people hit and killed by vehicles.

Anyone who is not inside a vehicle is considered to be a pedestrian by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The agency says there are some common causes of vehicle/pedestrian accidents:

• A vehicle makes either a right or left turn at an intersection.
• A pedestrian darts into the street.
• A backing vehicle fails to look or see traffic when backing from a driveway, parking lot or private road.
• The motorist or pedestrian is distracted by electronic devices or other distractions.
• School bus related accidents happen when drivers fail to obey school bus stop arms.
• Commercial bus related accidents happen when a pedestrian is crossing the street after exiting a bus.

To lower the number of pedestrians killed, the American Automobile Association (AAA) recommends that drivers keep the following in mind:

• Look out for pedestrians at all times. Keep your eyes on the road and stay alert to your surroundings.
• Follow the posted speed limits, especially in heavy pedestrian-traveled areas. This is very important in school zones and neighborhoods, as children may appear suddenly.
• Use extra precautions in bad weather conditions or poorly lit areas. It may be difficult for drivers to see oncoming pedestrians in these conditions, but it is also hard for pedestrians to see you. Make sure your lights are on and use your signals.
• Yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. Do not attempt to drive past someone trying to cross the street.
• Reduce your speed when approaching crosswalks, even if there are no pedestrians initially in sight.
• When you are stopped at a crosswalk, allow enough room between your car and the crosswalk so other drivers can see the pedestrians you have stopped for and so there is enough room for pedestrians to cross.
• Do not pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk.
• Avoid distractions such as electronic devices that take your attention off the road.
• Do not drive a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“Should you or a loved one be injured because of the negligence of another, after seeking medical attention, please contact our experienced legal team. We are available 24/7, and there are no costs or attorney fees unless we make a monetary recovery for you,” said Port Charlotte Pedestrian Accident Attorney Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Port Charlotte Pedestrian Accident Attorney,  Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.