Pinellas County Building Pedestrian Bridge To Help Lower Accident Numbers

Florida has been a notoriously dangerous place for pedestrians in recent years, with many different metro areas being ranked among the most hazardous in the United States. Pinellas County is starting to do something about it in their area, building a major pedestrian overpass over the Courtney Campbell Causeway, near State Road 60 and Bayshore Boulevard.

‘Overrepresented’ In Pedestrian Accidents

The urban planning think tank Smart Growth America publishes an annual report called Dangerous by Design, assessing the overall danger for pedestrians in every U.S. state. Florida has consistently had multiple metro areas rank in the top 10 most dangerous, and while the state’s 2024 showing was better – only two metro areas ranked in the top 10, compared to six and seven in years past – the state is still overrepresented in terms of overall fatalities, coming in second overall.

One of the major reasons for Florida’s high numbers is a lack of infrastructure, particularly in lower-income areas. Without infrastructure like pedestrian bridges, people walking, cycling, or using assistive devices must share the road – literally – with much larger vehicles whose drivers may not even notice their presence. State officials hope that bridges like this new endeavor in Pinellas County will help to eliminate that issue.

How Serious Are Your Injuries?

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Florida, it is important to keep in mind that you may be able to make a claim with your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance if your injuries are minor – in Florida, a PIP policy follows the holder, rather than the vehicle. In other words, you do not have to be in your vehicle for PIP coverage to apply in an accident.

If your injuries are “significant and permanent,” you may be able to file suit against the driver you allege caused you harm. Pedestrians have exactly the same rights and responsibilities as any other road user, meaning that both pedestrian and vehicle driver are required to act with a reasonable level of care for others. A failure to do so can lead to claims of negligence.

Contact An Orlando Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Because of the relative mismatch in terms of size and strength, a pedestrian will usually be injured far more severely in an accident than the driver or passenger of a vehicle. If you have been injured in this type of crash, an Orlando pedestrian accident attorney from the Hornsby Law Group may be able to help. Call our office today at (407) 499-8887 to schedule a consultation.

Source:

fox13news.com/news/officials-build-pinellas-pedestrian-overpass-prevent-pedestrian-bicyclist-crashes