Broward Injury Lawyer Blog
A 22-year-old female driver from Fort Lauderdale was recently arrested and hit with DUI manslaughter charges after officers say she hit and killed two pedestrians while driving her mother’s vehicle.
According to the Daily Mail, the woman was arrested roughly three weeks after the accident happened in a downtown Fort Lauderdale parking lot.
Authorities report the woman was driving her mother’s Porsche west on Broward Boulevard around 2:00 a.m. when the accident happened. She allegedly lost control of the vehicle as she attempted to turn left onto Southwest Fifth Street. Her vehicle hopped over the curb, went through some bushes and sped through a parking lot, before taking down two pedestrians. One was sitting down on the curb and the other was standing next to his bicycle. Both were killed.
Our Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyers understand that pedestrians are at risk for an accident anytime they’re near traffic. Unfortunately, we cannot predict nor rely on the safe driving habits of other motorists. And Fort Lauderdale is all too popular for walkers and revelers alike. In fact, it’s been ranked among the five deadliest metro areas in the United States when it comes to pedestrian accidents.
Florida leads the nation in vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents. According to the City of Fortlauderdale, a pedestrian is injured in a traffic collision, on average, every eight minutes. Most pedestrian injuries occur as a result of combined inattentiveness of motorists and the failure of pedestrians to use crosswalks.
There are a few things that you can do as a pedestrian to help to reduce your risks of an accident in Broward County:
-First, you want to make sure that you’re aware of your surroundings at all times.
-When there are no sidewalks available for use, remember that it’s safer to walk facing oncoming traffic.
-Pedestrians are to follow all traffic devices, just as vehicles.
-You want to make sure that drivers always see you before proceeding.
-Be wary. Most drivers are nice people, but don’t count on them paying attention. Watch out – make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.
-Remember that alcohol and drugs can impair your ability to walk safely. Just as these two have a negative effect on drivers, they have negative effects on walkers, too!
-Keep an eye on our younger pedestrians. Children may not be able to understand the traffic around them. and therefore may put themselves at an increased risk for a potentially fatal accident.
-Avoid walking at night. This is when fatal pedestrian accidents are more likely to happen. Drivers have a more difficult time seeing you when it’s dark out.
-Try to avoid busy roadways. You want to use the roads less traveled whenever possible.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a traffic accident, contact Richard Ansara at 954 761-3641 or toll-free at 877-277-3780 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case.
More Blog Entries:
Pedestrian Killed by Broward Officer Accused of Speeding, Broward Injury Lawyer Blog, July 2, 2013
Broward Bicylists and Pedestrians Undoubtedly Safer in Wake of Florida Texting Ban, Broward Injury Lawyer Blog, June 8, 2013
