Florida Residents at High Risks for Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents in Broward County and Elsewhere

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were nearly 650 people killed and another 50,000 injured in bicycle accidents in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere in 2009. These types of accidents accounted for about 2 percent of all of the people who died in traffic-related accidents during the year.

The NHTSA also reports that there were more than 4,090 pedestrians killed on U.S. roadways in 2009. In addition to these fatalities, another 60,000 pedestrians were injured during this time. This all means that in the U.S., a pedestrian was killed every 2 hours, and one was injured every 9 minutes in 2009.

When it comes to bicycle and pedestrian accidents, our Broward County accident lawyers understand that Florida residents and visitors are at high risks for both injury and death along our roadways. In 2009, Florida was the only state to record more than 100 bicycle deaths. California was the only state in the country to witness more than Florida’s 466 pedestrian deaths in 2009.

Bicycle Accident Statistics, 2009:

-Most accident fatalities (70 percent) occurred in urban areas.

-Most bicycle accidents occurred at non-intersection locations.

-More than 70 percent of bicyclist fatalities happen during the day, between 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. This illustrates a near 10 percent increase in the number of fatalities during this time period from the 2009 statistics.

-Bicyclists who are 12-years-old and younger accounted for nearly 15 percent of everyone who was killed and 20 percent of those who were injured in traffic-related accidents.

-Bicyclists who are 16-years-old and younger accounted for nearly 30 percent of all of everyone who was killed and 40 percent of those who were injured in traffic-related accidents.

-Bicyclists age 45- to 54-years-old experienced the most bicycle accident fatalities (20%).

-Male bicyclists were more often killed in accidents than female bicyclists.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics, 2009:

-Most, more than 90 percent, fatal pedestrian accidents happened in urban areas.

-More than 75 percent of pedestrian fatalities happened at non-intersection areas.

-Roughly 90 percent of pedestrian deaths happened during normal weather conditions, instead of in rain, fog or snow.

-About 70 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents happened during the evening hours.

-Pedestrians who were over the age of 70 accounted for nearly 20 percent of all fatalities and nearly 10 percent of pedestrian injuries.

-Elderly pedestrians had a higher pedestrian fatality rate than any other age group of pedestrians.

-Children between the ages of 5- and 9-years-old accounted for nearly 10 percent of the total number of pedestrian fatalities and a quarter of all pedestrian injuries recorded.

The state of Florida saw nearly 100 bicyclist fatalities in 2009, giving the Sunshine State the most fatalities recorded in any state during this time. Our state also saw 466 pedestrian fatalities in 2009, ranking the Sunshine State in second place for the most pedestrian fatalities for the year. more If you a close friend or a family member had been injured or killed in a bicycle or pedestrian accident in Broward County, contact Fort Lauderdale accident attorney Richard Ansara at 954 761-3641 or (954) 761-4011 for a free initial consultation 24 hours a day and seven days a week.