Most Common Pedestrian/Bicycle Accidents
Walking and riding a bicycle are great ways to get around, but bike and pedestrian accidents are some of the most serious traffic accidents on our roads. If a motorist’s negligence leaves you or someone you love injured in a pedestrian or bike accident, you shouldn’t wait to consult with an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury attorney.
Compelling Statistics
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shares all of the following statistics related to bike and pedestrian accidents:
- The number of accidents involving either a pedestrian or bicyclist has been on the rise since 2009.
- In 2017, there were nearly 6,000 traffic fatalities involving pedestrians and 783 traffic fatalities involving bicyclists.
- One of the most important factors in pedestrian and bike accidents is motorist behavior.
- In 2017 alone, Florida saw 125 fatal bike accidents, which is more than any other state.
When you are out and about on foot or on your bike, always make safety your number one priority.
Motorist Negligence
Motorists’ driving behaviors are one of the leading causes of bike and pedestrian accidents. Let’s take a closer look:
- Failing to Comply with Traffic Laws – When a motorist takes it upon himself or herself to ignore the rules of the road, he or she greatly increases the risk to pedestrians and bikers. Failing to yield the right-of-way is a prime example, but running traffic lights, ignoring stop signs, and many other infractions can also prove deadly.
- Speeding – When a motorist fails to respect the speed limit (or fails to drive at a speed that safely accommodates for the inferior condition of a road), it greatly increases the chance that a collision with a bicyclist or pedestrian will be fatal. If a motorist is traveling at 31 miles per hour, the risk that a pedestrian accident will be fatal is 8 percent, but if the motorist is traveling at 47 miles per hour, the risk rises to 50 percent.
Distracted Drivers
A significant percentage of pedestrians and bicyclists are struck while moving through intersections, and this fact speaks to driver distraction. Pedestrians and bicyclists are obviously more difficult to see than other vehicles are, but motorists are responsible for sharing our roads safely with everyone who travels on them.
Distracted drivers don’t pay adequate attention to the road ahead, which puts vulnerable pedestrians and bicyclists at even greater risk. The most dangerous distraction out there – and the one that’s also most prevalent – is texting and other forms of interaction with one’s smartphone, which makes noticing a pedestrian or bike in a crosswalk far more difficult.
Call an Accomplished St. Petersburg Pedestrian and Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
When you’re on foot or on your bike, you’re seriously vulnerable to serious injuries in the event of a traffic accident. The resourceful St. Petersburg bicycle accident and pedestrian accident attorneys at Tragos, Sartes & Tragos dedicate their work to helping clients like you recover for your devastating losses after pedestrian and bike accidents. We’re here for you, too, so please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at (727) 441-9030 for more information today.