Drivers are licensed in Florida because they take a lot of responsibility in their hands when they drive vehicles in public. They are also made to understand the risks and hazards related to driving. But pedestrians do not always have this knowledge and rarely have the responsibility.
The sheer mass and potential speed of a motor vehicle of any type or size makes any collision with a person or a bicycle possibly fatal. People on the street or sidewalk have no physical protection against the metal and rubber of a car or truck at any speed. Any collision should be reported, no matter the gravity of injuries or damage.
A tragic crash left a person dead on U.S. Route 41 near the Estero Parkway in Lee County. The southbound lanes of the national highway were closed while investigators examined the scene and emergency services cleared it. A shopping bag was seen next to the unidentified body.
Less than three months into 2020, this death marks the 22nd traffic-related fatality in Lee County for the year. Other nearby counties in Florida are also experiencing high numbers of deaths on the road. It appears even pedestrians must be extra vigilant for their own safety while expecting the best from drivers but also the possibility of an accident.
Pedestrian victims of car accidents and the survivors of pedestrian fatalities, as well as bicyclists, have the right to claim financial damages to help with related expenses. Noneconomic damages like compensation for pain and distress may also be possible. An attorney can help explain these possibilities in a difficult time.
