Pedestrian Accidents
Whether you only walk occasionally, or if that is your main mode of transportation, Florida is a beautiful place to get around on foot. However, pedestrians are at risk when they head out and have to interact with vehicles and accidents involving pedestrians happen every day. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were over 9,300 pedestrian accidents in 2018. Of these, 720 pedestrians were killed and over 7,000 pedestrians were injured.
Florida Laws Regarding Pedestrians
There are a few different laws that pertain to pedestrians in Florida. The most important is Florida Statute §316.130, which states, in part, that:
- Pedestrians must obey all traffic control devices unless they’re otherwise directed by a police officer.
- If there’s a sidewalk, pedestrians must use it. If there’s not, pedestrians should walk on the shoulder of the road facing traffic (i.e. on the left side of the road).
- If there is a crosswalk present, drivers have to wait for pedestrians to cross the road before proceeding.
- If there is no crosswalk, pedestrians must wait until traffic is clear before crossing the road. They cannot step into the road if there’s a car so close it’s impossible for them to stop in time.
- Unless specific traffic control devices allow it, pedestrians may not cross an intersection diagonally.
- There’s much more to this statute, but these are the main points. It’s important to note that there’s no specific “jaywalking” law in Florida. Rather, unless you’re at a crosswalk, you must yield to vehicle traffic.
Are Drivers Always to Blame?
Most pedestrian accidents in Florida are caused by negligent drivers, but that is not always the case. Pedestrians can be found at fault for these accidents as well, even if only partially.
For example, you may walk out into the road in a location that does not have a crosswalk, and an approaching car may be speeding excessively. In this case, both you and the driver may be held partly at fault. Under Florida’s comparative negligence law, if you are found partly to blame for the crash, any compensation you receive may be reduced.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
If you or a loved one were injured as a pedestrian, call Aventis Law Firm for a free consultation. We will work with you to learn about the facts of your case and let you know how we may be able to help you get compensation for your injuries.