A tragic accident in which a man was struck by a car while walking his bicycle in a dark area of a roadway spotlights the rising risk of pedestrian accidents in Florida and across the country.
The 38-year-old Lady Lake resident was walking his bike northbound inside lane of U.S. 441 when a Hyundai Sonata struck him, the Ocala StarBanner reports. The driver told police officers that he did not see the man, who was traveling in a dark part of the roadway around 6:00 a.m. when the collision happened.
According to a recent study by AAA, fatal accidents involving pedestrians struck by cars have jumped by more than 50% over the last decade. The research shows that walking on roadways after and in areas not designated for pedestrians is a recipe for disaster.
“Virtually all of the increase in the number of pedestrian fatalities since 2016 has occurred in darkness and 90% of it occurred at non-intersection locations on urban arterials,” AAA said.
Although the Florida accident involved a mid-size car, research shows that sport utility vehicles pose a particular threat to people on two feet. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, SUVs are more likely than other cars to cause fatalities in accidents with pedestrians.
Your Legal Rights After a Fatal Accident in The Villages
When a person is killed in an accident in Florida, his or her loved ones have the right to seek compensation from those responsible. That includes compensation for financial losses associated with the accident, as well as for loss of support, love and companionship, and pain and suffering in some cases.
No amount of money can ever allow you to go back in time and stop an accident from happening. However, it can help ease some of the financial strain that often comes with losing a loved one.
To get that compensation, you have to be able to prove legal liability. An experienced wrongful death attorney can help you understand your rights and options build the strongest possible case.
Speak with a Villages Wrongful Death Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian, car, golf cart or other accident, you have the right to seek compensation from those responsible for the collision. It is vital that you have an experienced personal injury attorney in your corner.
Tim Babiarz is a Villages wrongful death lawyer who has been fighting for people injured in a wide range of collisions for more than two decades. He is committed to helping people get the full compensation available under the law.
Our office is conveniently located in the Villages. We are also proud to represent clients throughout the area, including in Ocala, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Summerfield and beyond. Call (352) 205-7559 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Villages wrongful death lawyer.
