A pedestrian lost his life on Sunday night as he was walking along a ramp off a busy Volusia County highway. The victim was a 67-year-old Deland man. He was struck by a car driven by a 21-year-old Deltona man as he was walking on the shoulder of the ramp leading from State Road 472 to the northbound lines of U.S. Highway 17-92. He succumbed to his injuries and died shortly after he was transported to AdventHealth in Orange City, FL.
Pedestrian deaths are not uncommon in Volusia County. According to a 2019 study released by National Complete Streets Coalition, a program of Smart Growth America, Florida holds eight of the top ten most dangerous places in the country for pedestrians. The Volusia County/Daytona Beach area was ranked as the second most dangerous area in the country for pedestrians with the greater Orlando area topping the national list for pedestrian fatalities.
The study looked at pedestrian deaths over the course of ten years beginning in 2008 to determine which areas were the most dangerous to walk. Pedestrian deaths between 2008 and 2017 were 212 in the Daytona Beach area, including Volusia County, while Orlando stayed at the top with 656 deaths.
Many attribute the area’s tourist density to the main reason for the high number of deaths, especially during highly populated times, including Bike Week and the Daytona 500. Additionally, the Daytona Beach area is a common hot spot Spring Break destination.
According to the study, pedestrian deaths are not restricted to one specific area in Volusia County. Many have been reported on the beachside area while others have been reported on Williamson Boulevard.
The National Complete Streets Coalition study looks at several different factors when ranking metropolitan areas, including the number of pedestrians struck and killed by cars, how many people live in the area, and how many people walk to their jobs. According to the study, if they had reviewed the annual number of pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents, the Volusia County/Daytona Beach area would rank at the top of the list. The data revealed, 3.95 pedestrian residents per 100,000 die annually in the area.
Losing a loved one in something as catastrophic as a pedestrian accident can be extremely traumatic. The same can be said for individuals injured in a pedestrian accident. While they may have claims for their injuries, determining what those claims are is not always so black and white depending on the circumstances of the case. Courts and insurance companies look at the actions of both the driver and the pedestrian when making determinations as to who is at fault. Whether the pedestrian accident was caused by a distracted driver, a drunk driver or a driver who failed to exercise caution in a crosswalk or intersection, you can count on our Orlando pedestrian accident attorneys to protect your legal rights and get you the compensation you deserve.
If you were seriously injured in a pedestrian accident, or if someone close to you has died as a result of careless driver anywhere in the State of Florida, contact our law firm today for a free consultation. The attorneys at Wooten Kimbrough Damaso & Dennis, P.A. is comprised of award-winning trial lawyers who have obtained record setting verdicts for the injured and their families in Central Florida and around the world. From investigating the cause of the accident to helping you get the medical treatment you need; our experienced legal team is here to assist you every step of the way.
