A simple trip to the airport to pick up an arriving traveler turned deadly after a pedestrian was struck by a charter bus. According to the Huffington Post, the accident happened at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport when the pedestrian tripped while crossing the busy four lanes of traffic right outside the arrival area of the airport. it happened just before 3:00 p.m. outside Terminal 4.
According to accident reports, the woman arrived in an SUV, which stopped in the middle of these four lanes (where traffic is not supposed to stop). The woman exited the rear of the SUV and at one point stumbled and fell to the ground. Upon hitting the pavement, she was run over by a passing bus. No one on the bus was injured.
Our Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyers understand that the airport can be a confusing and dangerous place. With all the excitement of picking up friends and family members, or tossing your bags on a plane and flying out of town, it’s no surprise that safety takes a back seat. Unfortunately, there are plenty of risks to be found in and around airports, whether you’re coming or going.
In this area (in the lanes where the involved vehicles were traveling), traffic is not allowed to stop to let anyone get in our out of a vehicle. But who’s to know that in these busy and confusing travel areas. Are signs working well enough? Are drivers paying enough attention?
“It’s tragic any way you look at it,” said Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue spokesman Mike Jachles.
Officers are still investigating the accident, and have not reported if there will be any charges filed.
The truth of the matter is that dropping off and picking up passengers is statistically not that safe. Each and every year, there are a number of accidents and fatalities that happen as a result of vehicles driving around airport terminals. These are the lanes near the airport entrances and exits and they’re filled with parking lot shuttles, city buses, cars, cabs and many are double-parked. If you’re not used to this kind of traffic, the layout can be awfully confusing — and dangerous.
These conditions are especially risky for those on-foot travelers.
When you’re walking through this area, it’s critical that you have your full attention on your surroundings. Unfortunately, traffic in the area is more concerned with picking up or dropping off their passengers than on the safety of the traffic around them.
When you’re walking outside an airport, it’s important that you:
-Walk in designated crosswalks.
-Only board/exit vehicles where permitted.
-Stay one step ahead of the traffic around you.
-Only cross the road when you KNOW you have enough time. Avoid hurrying across.
-Only board/exit vehicles in designated areas. You cannot always just stop your vehicle and hop in/out whenever you’d like.
Following these simple safety tips will help to make sure you make it to/from your flight safely.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact Freeman & Mallard for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Florida Pedestrian Safety a Summer Concern, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, April 17, 2013
Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents in South Florida on the Rise, South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, December 7, 2012