Look Up: Cell Phones Large Role in Pedestrian Accidents

We all have been warned about the dangers of distracted driving, but what about distracted walking?

While Florida drivers have a legal duty to watch for pedestrians, pedestrians also need to remember to be proactive, defensive, and alert when they are walking. There has been an increase in distracted pedestrian related accidents, mainly due to cell phone use while walking, and accidents involving them are getting more local and national attention. Protect yourself when walking by putting your cell phone away; pedestrians should look up especially when crossing the street.

It is important for any cell phone user both drivers and pedestrians to know the dangers and keep their attention focused on the road and not their devices. By being more vigilant, we can limit the number of distracted pedestrian car accidents.

The Rise of Pedestrians and Cell Phone Use

With the rise in technology and the accessibility of smartphones, almost everyone has one in their hand. In the last 7 years, accidents caused by smartphones have doubled. In the US, one pedestrian is killed every 2 hours. Day and night.

The chances of being injured while walking is higher, especially if you’re looking at your phone and/or have headphones in. Sadly, the rise in pedestrian accidents due to cell phones is particularly prominent under the age of 30 years old.

Should you be hit by a driver while walking or riding a bike, we can help your recover from your injuries. You can’t rust our attorneys at Mickey Keenan Injury Law will be right by your side the entire time. Contact our team.

Distracted While Walking

Distracted walking involves anything that takes a pedestrian’s mind off of safe walking. Pedestrian accidents can occur on streets, roads, crosswalks, and even sidewalks. These injuries may even involve an accident with any type of vehicle including cars, trucks, scooters, bikes, golf carts, and motorcycles.

In the event of an accident, serious bodily injury to a pedestrian is common. Pedestrians are not equipped with much protection, such as seat belts, airbags, helmets, or protective clothing. This lack of protection ultimately may leave the pedestrian in worse condition than the driver. Pedestrian accidents can be especially tragic like this Tampa, FL accident where the woman died on the scene.

With distracted, drunk, drowsy drivers, and honestly just bad drivers on our roads, any accident can turn deadly. But for pedestrians, even a vehicle that is driving even 10MPHcan cause significant injury, disability,or death.

Steps Pedestrians Should Take to Stay Safe

Although many pedestrian accidents are considered the fault of a vehicle driver, pedestrians are not without fault if they are distracted and not focused on their surroundings. If you are a pedestrian, it is critical for you to do your part in staying alert and on the defense.

Make sure you take these steps to stay safe when walking:

Look both ways before crossing a street.
Only cross at a crosswalk.
Never assume a driver sees you. Stay defensive, even when walking.
Silence your phone when walking so you are not tempted to look at it.
If you do have to look at your phone, stop somewhere safe and take care of what you needed to do on your phone before you start walking again.
Keep headphone volume low so you can hear cars or other vehicles around you.

For years, Tampa has consistently ranked as a dangerous city for pedestrians; not a list we’re proud to be on the top of. With pedestrian deaths increasing, it’s understandable why pedestrians, bikers, and runners, in our area are growing more concerned.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident, call on our veteran injury attorneys we’re here to help you recover.

Injured While Walking?

If you have done your part as a pedestrian to walk smart and safely, but are still hit by a motor vehicle, you have a legal right against the negligent driver for your injuries and losses.

Florida law adheres to a comparative fault model, which means that even if a pedestrian was partly responsible for the accident that resulted in their injury, they can still collect damages from the driver of the car.

If you have been hit by a car, call Mickey Keenan Law. Our experienced accident injury lawyers will be by your side as you pursue an injury claim. Here, your family is our family and that’s why we work hard for you after an injury while walking, contact our legal specialists for a free consultation or use our app.