Pedestrian accidents are on the rise in Tampa, according to a new study that blames bad road design and other factors for the continued increase in pedestrian fatalities. According to the study, Tampa is now ranked 8th in the country for the most pedestrian deaths nationwide.
“The shape of our roads and the way that they look, how wide lanes are, how far apart signals are, all these things that shape how we drive and our behavior behind the wheel, they have a real impact,” Steve Davis, the assistant vice president of transportation strategy for Smart Growth America, said in an interview with ABC Action News Tampa Bay.
How many pedestrian fatalities occur in Tampa, FL?
Each year, on average, 3.75 pedestrian deaths for every 100,000 people occur in Tampa, the eighth highest of any metropolitan area nationwide, according to the Dangerous By Design study created by Smart Growth America and cited by ABC Action News Tampa Bay.
That figure works out to roughly 1,300 pedestrian fatalities in the greater Tampa area in the past decade, according to Smart Growth America, which included pedestrian deaths in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, Florida, in its study.
In Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa, 66 pedestrians died in accidents in 2023, according to the most recent pedestrian accident data compiled by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). That figure is the highest pedestrian fatality death toll since at least 2018.
What are the most dangerous intersections For Pedestrians in Tampa, FL?
The recent Smart Growth America study identified several intersections in Tampa as the most dangerous for pedestrians based on the number of accidents between 2008 and 2022. They are:
- Hillsborough Avenue, especially several intersections along West Hillsborough Avenue.
- Several intersections along US Route 19 near Tampa.
- Several intersections along South 50th Street (US Route 41)
What can be done to reduce pedestrian accidents in Tampa, FL?
In the Smart Growth America study, city officials in Tampa and pedestrian safety advocates offered several suggestions for reducing the number of pedestrian accidents, including:
- Identify specific areas where pedestrian accidents often occur.
- Install high-visibility crosswalks and flashing beacons at high-risk areas for pedestrians.
- Enforce existing traffic laws, especially in cases where drivers are speeding and putting pedestrians at risk.
- Educate drivers and pedestrians about the dangers people face when crossing the street or walking alongside the road.
How can a Tampa pedestrian accident attorney help?
You might think you don’t need a lawyer if you were hit and injured by a negligent driver. After all, the at-fault driver probably broke the law and caused your injury. However, the reality is that many pedestrian injury claims quickly turn into complicated legal cases.
That’s why it’s critical that you have an experienced Tampa pedestrian accident lawyer on your side. That’s why you need Armando Personal Injury Law.
“I was involved in a pedestrian vs car accident in Tampa, Florida in May of 2018. I had injuries to my neck and back. I called Armando Personal Injury Law after being referred to him by my personal attorney… Armando fought the insurance company after they were trying to blame me for the accident. Armando convinced them they were wrong and helped me get compensation for my injuries and medical bills! Armando rocks! In an accident, call Armando!”
– Larry F., 5 stars
Get the Tampa law firm that takes your case seriously right from the start. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with a Tampa pedestrian accident attorney who puts your best interests first. Our office is conveniently located on East 5th Avenue in Tampa, and we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you only have to pay us if we secure a financial settlement or verdict for you.