Florida is the most dangerous state for pedestrians and South Florida, including the Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach-Miami metro area, is the 13th most dangerous metropolitan area for pedestrians over the last decade, according to Smart Growth America. Fort Lauderdale is also a risky place to ride a bike. Over a recent five-year period, there were 14 bicyclist deaths and 568 cyclist injuries caused by motor vehicle collisions.
Despite our city’s work to combat these alarming figures through the Vision Zero program, we have a long way to go. Those who regularly bike and walk in Fort Lauderdale are taking a risk. Pedestrian and cyclist crashes are much more likely to result in serious injury and death than car crashes. If you’re hit by a car while on foot or on a bike, your Florida PIP insurance—or the policy of a household member—should cover you. But given the higher rates of serious pedestrian and cyclist injuries, it is much more likely that these injuries will meet the threshold necessary to file a lawsuit.
If you were hurt by a motorist while biking or walking in Fort Lauderdale, our car accident attorneys can help.