Pedestrian Accidents In Daytona Beach: Two People Killed In Separate Incidents On Same Day
Walking provides great exercise as well as a means for many people to get around Daytona Beach and the surrounding Volusia County area. Unfortunately, those who engage in this activity need to be aware of the risks. Decreasing daylight hours impact visibility and with little to protect pedestrians in crashes involving motor vehicles, injuries suffered in Daytona Beach pedestrian accidents have a tendency to be severe. Two recent pedestrian fatalities that occurred on the same day highlight the potential dangers.
Pedestrian Accidents Claim Lives of Two Volusia County Women
On a recent Sunday evening, a simple walk proved deadly for two different women in Volusia County. According to a November 16, 2020 report by the Daytona Beach News-Journal, the first pedestrian accident happened at roughly 6:00 p.m., when a Deland woman was killed instantly after being struck by a passing motorist as she attempted to cross U.S. 17 at Williamsburg Road. Just an hour and a half later, another woman was struck while using a crosswalk at Saxon Boulevard by an SUV making a left turn. The victim was airlifted to a local hospital but later succumbed to her injuries. In each of these pedestrian accidents, the drivers were unharmed.
With little to protect them in crashes, pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users. Serious and potentially life-threatening injuries they suffer often include:
- Burn injuries, due to contact with hot engine parts and fluids;
- Crushing injuries, resulting in internal bleeding and damage to body organs or systems;
- Deep cuts and lacerations, caused by contact with crushed metal and broken glass;
- Head injuries, resulting in concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI);
- Multiple broken bones, which can result in permanent disabilities;
- Spinal cord injuries, which may cause partial or complete paralysis.
Pedestrian Accident Risks In Daytona Beach
The Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reports that roughly 6,500 people are killed in pedestrian accidents across the country each year while hundreds of thousands of others suffer serious and potentially disabling personal injuries. Sadly, Florida has one of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the country, second only to California.
Considering traffic conditions in Daytona Beach and throughout Volusia County as well as the number of people who typically rely on walking either as a hobby or means of transportation, residents here are at increased risk. Common factors that make fatal pedestrian accidents more likely to happen include:
- Walking after dark, when visibility is decreased;
- Walking on busy roads and highways, in which drivers are likely traveling at higher speeds;
- Walking on weekends or holidays, which is when the risk of drunk drivers is highest;
- Walking in areas without crosswalks, sidewalks, or traffic signals.
Let Us Help You Today
While multiple factors may play a role in pedestrian accidents, the reckless driving behavior of motorists is generally to blame. At Bundza & Rodriguez, P.A., we help victims and their families in these cases hold those at-fault accountable. Contact our Daytona Beach pedestrian accident attorneys to request a consultation today.
Resource:
news-journalonline.com/story/news/crime/2020/11/16/2-women-crossing-roads-volusia-county-sunday-killed-accidents/6313699002/
