Pedestrian Killed In Orange Park Crash
Pedestrians are vulnerable when they’re out on the roadways with vehicles. They have no protection, which means they can get seriously injured when hit by a car.
Sadly, this was what recently happened in Orange Park. A pedestrian was killed in a crash on the evening of August 12 at Blanding Boulevard and Parkwood Drive.
A Volkswagen sedan was traveling south on Blanding Boulevard while a 33-year-old woman from Orange Park was crossing the pedestrian crosswalk at the intersection. The Volkswagen had a green light when the pedestrian crossed the road. She was hit by the sedan. The woman was taken to HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, where she later died.
Several pedestrian crashes have happened in the area since June. Between 2016 and 2020, Florida was the second most deadliest state in the nation for pedestrian accidents. Senior citizens are especially at risk as well as those in low-income neighborhoods. These populations get hit and killed at the highest rates.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian crashes are almost always caused by driver negligence. When it’s the pedestrian’s fault, failure to check the crosswalk is normally the main reason. Here are several other reasons why pedestrians crashes occur:
- Low visibility. Low visibility was likely a factor in this case, as the accident happened at night. In fact, more than half of pedestrian accidents happen at night. Among pedestrian fatalities at night, most happen on unlit roads. In addition, there is a greater likelihood that drivers are intoxicated when driving after dark.
- Speeding may be fun but it comes with a lot of risks. When drivers are speeding, they are less likely to notice a pedestrian in the road. This means they may not be able to come to a stop in time to avoid hitting a pedestrian.
- Alcohol use. In many pedestrian crashes, either the driver or the pedestrian is under the influence of alcohol. Just one drink can lead to decreased judgment and slower reaction times.
- Distracted driving. Distracted driving is a serious issue. Many drivers are distracted by their cell phones and this is a major cause of pedestrian accidents. Eating, grooming, reading, and talking to passengers are other actions that can cause accidents.
- Failure to yield. Not yielding at stop signs and stop lights is a major cause of pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians, for the most part, have the right of way at intersections, so in these cases, the drivers are often at fault.
Contact Us Today
Pedestrians need to be careful when walking on and around roadways, especially at night. Darkness decreases visibility and makes accidents more likely to occur.
If you have been injured, seek legal help from the Florida pedestrian accident attorneys at Meldon Law. We’ll help you get the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation today by calling (800) 373-8000 or filling out the online form. We have three offices to serve you: Gainesville, Ocala, and Fort Lauderdale.
Source:
news4jax.com/news/local/2022/08/13/pedestrian-struck-by-vehicle-on-blanding-at-arora-boulevard/
