One of the top 10 worst cities in the nation for pedestrians is Orlando, according to a recent pedestrian safety study by Smart Growth America which ranked four Florida areas in the top 10 nationwide for pedestrian accidents.
"This crisis will continue to get worse until those with the power finally make safety for everyone who uses our roads the top priority," the 2022 Dangerous By Design study notes.
Orlando pedestrian accidents
Smart Growth America recently released its annual pedestrian safety study. Based on pedestrian accident statistics nationwide from 2016 to 2020 compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area was ranked the 8th most dangerous metropolitan area in the country for pedestrians.
Three other Florida metropolitan areas were also ranked in the top 10 for the most dangerous cities for pedestrians. The rankings are based on the pedestrian fatality rate for each metro area. The other three Florida areas in the top 10 are:
- Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach (ranked the worst city in the country for pedestrians)
- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (ranked 4th worst in the country)
- Jacksonville (6th worst in the country)
Florida pedestrian accidents on the rise
The 2022 Dangerous By Design study revealed a disturbing trend regarding pedestrian accidents. Even though there were fewer drivers on the road in 2020 due to pandemic restrictions, pedestrian fatalities nationwide increased in 2020 by 4.7 percent, from 6,237 pedestrian deaths in 2019 to 6,529 pedestrian fatalities in 2020.
Worst of all, the 2022 Dangerous By Design study believes pedestrian fatalities increased even more dramatically in 2021 based on initial accident statistics. Specifically, pedestrian fatalities increased by 11.2 percent, from 6,520 deaths in 2020 to 7,265 pedestrian fatalities in 2021.
As for Florida, pedestrian fatalities set a record in 2021, according to pedestrian death statistics compiled by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. In 2021, 842 pedestrian fatalities occurred statewide, an increase of 20.9 percent compared to 2020, when 696 pedestrians were killed in accidents in Florida.
Contact an Orlando pedestrian accident attorney.
You might think you don't need a lawyer if you or a loved one were hit by a car in Orlando or another nearby Florida community. The police are probably already investigating your accident.
But it's important to understand that the police investigation of your pedestrian accident determines whether any laws were broken. They're not worried about whether you're fairly compensated for your injury-related expenses.
That's why you need an experienced Orlando pedestrian accident lawyer from the Cerasa Law Firm to handle your injury claim. We know what evidence to look for and how to build a strong legal case, whether negotiating a settlement offer with the at-fault driver's insurance company or filing a pedestrian accident lawsuit on your behalf.
Get the Florida law firm that gets results. Contact us and schedule a free consultation with an Orlando pedestrian accident attorney who puts your best interests first.
We handle cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you only have to pay us if we secure a financial settlement or verdict for you. Call us today to learn more.