Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
Officers are looking into a Miami pedestrian accident that killed a man who was patiently waiting for the city bus to arrive at his stop. The accident happened on Northwest Avenue on 107th Avenue shortly before 10:00 p.m., according to Local 10. The 67-year-old male pedestrian was sitting on a bench waiting for the bus to arrive at his stop when he was hit by a vehicle that was being driven the wrong way by a 42-year-old female. The man’s wife was sitting on that bench waiting for the bus with her husband. She was able to avoid being hit.
“Once the male was struck on the bench, both him and the bench were dragged until its final resting place,” said Detective Roy Rutland.
Our car accident attorneys in Coconut Creek, Coral Springs and Weston understand that public transportation is relied upon by many in our area. Motorists are asked to practice extreme caution when traveling near bus stops and popular bus routes. Bus stops can be flooded with pedestrians boarding, exiting or waiting for a bus. While bus riders should be on the lookout for passing motorists, drivers should also be cautious of other travelers. Car-pedestrian accidents oftentimes end up fatal and can be prevented with a little consideration for one another.
Here are some safety tips for those who ride buses in our area:
-Never run to the bus. This is when a lot of accidents happen. Running puts you at a greater risk for trips, slips and falls. These injuries are some of the most common injuries sustained by bus riders.
-Have your child’s stroller folded before you get on the bus. Keep it folded for the entire trip. Open it back up once you’ve got off the bus and have moved off of the roadway and away from traffic.
-Remain aware of your surroundings when you’re waiting for your bus to arrive.
-If you’re listening to your headphones while you’re waiting, keep the volume down so that you can hear what’s going on around you.
-Never walk too close to the roadway or the curb.
-Be aware of traffic movement in both directions while waiting at your stop.
-Never cross the street in front of a bus. Wait for the bus to drive away before crossing the street so that you have a clear view of the traffic in both directions.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that were we approximately 12,000 people injured in bus accidents in 2007. Nearly 40 people died from accidents during that same year. That means that 1,000 people were injured each month, more than 230 were injured each week and nearly 35 were injured each day on public buses in the United States. Many of these statistics don’t even take the injuries sustained while waiting at bus stops into account.
Residents are urged to ride with caution and be careful while waiting for buses to arrive. Our roadways are a very busy place and awareness can be your best defense against a serious accident.
The West Palm Beach pedestrian accident attorneys at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez know that following and enforcing these simple tips can help to prevent a serious or fatal traffic accident involving a bus rider. We have seen the traumatic effects of these accidents and have a proven record of aggressively representing injury victims and their families in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Ft. Pierce /Port St. Lucie. Call us today to schedule a no-obligation appointment to discuss your case at 1-800-529-2368.
More Blog Entries:
Miami-Dade Transit and Metrorail Recruits Bus During Protest — Increasing Risks of Bus Accidents in Miami
August 25, 2011
12-year-old school bus rider seriously injured in South Florida pedestrian accident
October 2, 2011