Although many people assume that the majority of pedestrian accidents occur in intersections, the reality is that 70 percent of the most serious pedestrian accidents, those resulting in a pedestrian fatality, take place in non-intersection locations. Often, these accidents occur in what are referred to as mid-block crossings, or marked crosswalks that cross multiple lanes, but that isn’t located at intersections, or even somewhere with a stop sign or traffic signal. While city planners across the country have taken steps to make mid-block crosswalks safer for pedestrians, accidents still can and often do, occur in these areas. The injuries sustained in pedestrian accidents are usually severe, leaving claimants with little time, energy, or ability to seek compensation for their losses. For help looking into your own recovery options, please reach out to our experienced Miami pedestrian accident and injury lawyers today.
What are Mid-Block Crosswalks?
While they may look similar to intersection crosswalks, mid-block crosswalks often incorporate a number of design features that the former don’t have. For instance, many mid-block crossings have pedestrian islands for pedestrians crossing two-way traffic. Bulb-outs may also be used to help narrow the roadway, calm traffic, and slow speeds, making it safer for pedestrians to cross. The biggest difference between mid-block crosswalks and other crossings, however, is that the former are not often marked by stop signs or traffic lights.
Why are Mid-Block Crosswalks Dangerous?
Unfortunately, efforts to make mid-block crossings safer for pedestrians aren’t always successful. Often, drivers don’t expect to see pedestrians at locations other than intersections and so may fail to use the level of care required when approaching a crosswalk. Furthermore, a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian at a mid-block crossing (on the inside lane) can actually impede the sightline of drivers in the center or outside lanes, who may not see the pedestrian until it is too late. Even the use of medians and pedestrian islands isn’t a guarantee of safety for pedestrians.
Recovering Damages
Pedestrians who are struck while legally using a crosswalk are often entitled to compensation for their accident-related injuries, including reimbursement for:
- Past and future medical bills;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of future income;
- Permanent disability;
- Property damage;
- Emotional distress;
- Pain and suffering; and
- Wrongful death.
Unfortunately, recovering damages isn’t always as simple as it should be, with many insurers and at-fault parties blaming the pedestrian for contributing to the accident. However, even if a pedestrian was somehow at fault, he or she won’t automatically be barred from recovery. This is because Florida is a comparative negligence state, which means that rather than recovering nothing for their accident, plaintiffs who contribute to a crash will only have their damages award reduced in an amount equal to their degree of contribution in causing the accident.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Pedestrian accidents almost always lead to serious injuries for the pedestrian, who may struggle when attempting to recover compensation from a negligent driver. For help with your own case, please call 305-371-2692 and set up a meeting with one of the dedicated Miami pedestrian accident lawyers at Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum, LLP today.