Many Miami area residents take advantage of the Florida weather and take walks around their neighborhood, downtown and along the beach. Most of the time pedestrians are able to safely walk when cars are around, but occasionally a pedestrian accident happens in which a death occurs.
Smart Growth America has ranked the top cities in the United States that are most dangerous for pedestrians. Eight of the top 10 cities are in Florida, with Fort Myers-Cape Coral topping the list and the Miami area coming in at number 11. In 2014, over 4,800 pedestrians were killed by cars and those who are over the age of 65 are 50 percent more likely to be hit by a car. Smart Growth America believes that many of these deaths are caused by the way streets are designed where cars are traveling too fast and there is no pedestrian infrastructure in place.
Many families in the Miami area and across Florida have been affected by a pedestrian accident. When a loved one is killed because of a pedestrian accident it is a stressful and traumatic time. These loved ones are breadwinners, companions and valuable family members. Compensation may be available for medical expenses, funeral expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages.
While nothing can bring back the loss of a loved one, compensation can help the family move on. If negligence was a factor in a pedestrian accident, the victim’s family may have the legal right to hold the negligent party responsible for their mistake.