Florida Remains One of the Deadliest US States for Pedestrian Crashes

In 2022, Florida ranked third in the United States for pedestrian deaths. While this ranking represents a slight improvement over 2021’s second-place ranking, it means that Florida is still one of the most dangerous states for pedestrians.

Pedestrian accident rates are increasing nationwide. If you or someone you love is injured in a pedestrian crash, talk to an experienced Florida pedestrian injury lawyer immediately. 

Pedestrian Accident Statistics in Florida

In 2022, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) recorded 10,013 pedestrian-related accidents within the state. Pedestrian crashes claimed 765 lives in Florida that year. 

2022’s total of 765 deaths marked a 5 percent decrease from the 2021 total, according to the FLHSMV. Yet it also placed Florida third in the rankings of deadliest US states for pedestrians – behind only California and Texas, states with much larger populations and more densely populated urban areas. Georgia ranked fourth with 335 pedestrian deaths. 

The slight decrease in accidents and deaths between 2021 and 2022 is an exception in a larger trend. Between 2010 and 2021, pedestrian deaths increased 77 percent in Florida. Other types of traffic deaths increased by only 25 percent. The Governors Highway Safety Association notes that 2021’s pedestrian death total was the highest Florida has seen in 40 years. 

Why Pedestrian Accidents Are Becoming More Dangerous

Pedestrians and drivers share a responsibility to keep the roads safe for everyone on them. In a collision between a driver and a pedestrian, however, the person on foot is far more likely to suffer serious injuries or death than the one in the vehicle. 

Several factors contribute to the rising rates of pedestrian injuries and deaths, including vehicle design, speeding rates, and driving under the influence.

Vehicle Design

Many newer vehicles are designed for increased driver and passenger safety. However, these designs can make the vehicle more dangerous to a pedestrian in a crash.

In the past ten years, automakers have favored vehicles that stand taller than older models, with a more blunt front end. A vehicle with a front end that is four to five feet high poses a higher risk to pedestrians than a vehicle with a lower, sloped front end. 

When a taller vehicle hits a pedestrian, it is more likely to strike the person’s upper body. This collision can cause spinal cord or internal organ damage. These injuries are more likely to prove deadly than a collision that strikes only a person’s legs. 

Similarly, a blunt front end transfers more force to a pedestrian’s body than a sloped front end. These vehicles can cause more damage in a pedestrian crash. Pickup trucks and SUVs often have these higher, more blunt front ends. 

Speeding

Speeding rates increased during the 2020 pandemic and have not yet returned to previous levels. Speeding includes both exceeding the posted speed limit and driving too fast for conditions. 

When a driver speeds, the driver has less time to see a pedestrian in the road ahead and less time to respond once a pedestrian is spotted. Speeding also increases the force with which a vehicle hits a pedestrian. These factors make it harder for drivers to prevent a pedestrian crash, and they increase the risk of death or serious injury once the crash occurs. 

Driving Under The Influence

Like speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs peaked shortly after the pandemic lockdowns and hasn’t declined to pre-pandemic levels. More drivers are on Florida roads while drunk or drugged than in previous years. 

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs affects a driver’s ability to spot pedestrians, plan a safe response, and execute that plan. Impaired sight, slower cognition, and delayed reaction times can combine to cause a deadly accident – one the pedestrian could do nothing to prevent. 

Pedestrians can take steps to protect themselves, such as by crossing at marked intersections and looking carefully for traffic before crossing the road. Yet pedestrians cannot control drivers’ behavior. A careless driver can cause injuries even when a pedestrian has taken care. 

What to Do If You’ve Been Injured in a Pedestrian Accident

If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, don’t wait. Talk to an experienced Florida pedestrian accident attorney today. If you’ve lost a loved one in a deadly crash, a Florida injury lawyer can also answer your questions about a wrongful death claim. Attorney David W. Magann is here to help. Call us today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation.