Most Dangerous Metro Areas For Pedestrians In Florida
Florida is home to some fairly walkable and picturesque cities, like Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Orlando, and Miami. Unfortunately, this walkability can also be an extremely double-edged sword for both pedestrians and drivers who aren’t careful.
According to data, Florida has the 3rd-highest number of licensed drivers out of any state in the entire country - roughly 14.6 million as of 2020. That’s a lot of drivers on our roadways and a lot of risk for potential driver-pedestrian collisions.
Unfortunately, that risk holds very true statistically. Per Smart Growth America:
- The number of walking pedestrians struck and killed by drivers increased 45 percent over the last decade (2010-2019)
- Over 53,435 pedestrians were struck and killed by drivers
- The largest fatality share is individuals 75 and older
- BIPOC pedestrians suffer the greatest fatality risk (82 to 221% percent higher than white Americans, respectively)
Dangerous road design is a major issue across the country, as far too much infrastructure remains outmoded, outdated, and unmaintained. Unfortunately, the state of Florida is no exception to this problem.
Find out the most dangerous areas for pedestrians in Florida and who they should turn to in the event of a motor vehicle collision. Our Tampa pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to help.
The Most Dangerous Metro Areas For Pedestrians
Out of the top 20 most dangerous metropolitan areas for pedestrians in the United States, Florida claims nine (or almost half) of those metro areas. Those areas in question are:
- Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford: 740 pedestrian fatalities, 3 per 100k people, 295 Pedestrian Danger Index
- Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville: 168 pedestrian fatalities, 2.9 per 100k, 260.9 Pedestrian Danger Index
- Deltona-Daytona-Ormond Beach: 235 pedestrian fatalities, 3.6 per 100k, 260 Pedestrian Danger Index
- North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton: 199 pedestrian fatalities, 2.5 per 100k, 248 Pedestrian Danger Index
- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater: 968 pedestrian fatalities, 3.1 per 100k, 222.9 Pedestrian Danger Index
- Lakeland-Winter Haven: 162 pedestrian fatalities, 2.4 per 100k, 214.6 Pedestrian Danger Index
- Jacksonville: 462 pedestrian fatalities, 3.1 per 100k, 204.7 Pedestrian Danger Index
- Cape Coral-Fort Myers: 170 pedestrian fatalities, 2.3 per 100k, 192.5 Pedestrian Danger Index
- Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach: 1,675 pedestrian fatalities, 2.8 per 100k, 171.9 Pedestrian Danger Index
Although the greater Miami area encompasses the highest fatality number, both for the state and nation at large, Kissimmee leads with the deadliest risk percentage per capita. If you’re a pedestrian who encounters such danger, what should you do?
What To Do After A Pedestrian Accident
Here are some essential steps you should take if you’re struck by a car while walking:
- Seek urgent medical assistance. Call 911 if you’re able to do so.
- Document your injuries and the crash scene, if possible.
- Do not discuss accident fault or apologize for anything.
- Notify your insurance company about the crash.
- Refer to experienced, reputable, and reliable legal assistance.
Speak with a Tampa Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Tampa is a dangerous area for pedestrians, and Matthews Injury Law is ready to help anyone injured in a collision. If you or someone you know was involved in a Tampa pedestrian collision, our team can help you recover. Call our office at 813-530-1000 or fill out our contact form today to learn more.