Study Finds Wide Streets and Speeding Drivers Make Orlando Dangerous for Pedestrians

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on June 27, 2011

We have talked many times in this blog about the Orlando area in particular and Florida in general being the most dangerous places in the country for pedestrian accidents. This troubling and unfortunate distinction is well known and has been documented many times by federal and private agencies over the last several years.

The latest report that corroborates this was released recently by Mighk Wilson, a smart-growth planner at MetroPlan, a regional agency that sets transportation policy in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. He found what Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham has known for years. This is that pedestrians are not very good at gauging the speed of approaching vehicles, and the more lanes of traffic they need to cross, the more likely they are to be struck and injured or killed.

“It’s very, very easy to make a mistake in judging the speed of a vehicle,” said Wilson, who states his findings support the hypothesis that each lane crossed by a pedestrian increases his or her chances of becoming another unfortunate Florida pedestrian accident statistic. Wilson studied pedestrian accident data from 2003-04, 2008-09 and part of 2010 and found that the majority of Florida pedestrian accidents occur on roads that have four or more lanes of traffic.

Orlando Police Sergeant Vince Ogburn has seen more than a few pedestrian accidents over the years. He says that there are other factors that greatly increase the chance that a pedestrian will be struck and injured or killed. He said drivers who talk and text on their phones or are distracted by grooming themselves or tending to small children in the car are also a big part of the problem.

“By the time they look up, it’s too late,” he said.

If you or a close family member has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you need an experienced Orlando personal injury attorney by your side to protect your rights, answer your questions and look out for your best interests. You need James O. Cunningham and his experience and resources. Since 1977, Mr. Cunningham has successfully represented injured pedestrians and helped them receive compensation to help pay for medical bills, make up for lost time at work and provide for their families while they recuperate. Call him today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.