Joel Thorn, 18, of Lakeland, FL was struck by a semitrailer at the intersection of U.S. 17 and West Broward Street in Bowling Green, FL last Friday morning. He died from his injuries.
According to an article in the Lakeland Ledger, Thorn was attempting to cross the four lane road at the time of the collision. Thorn was in his senior year of high school at Lakeland High School. His father, Michael Thorn, reports his son often went for long walks to de-stress but had never walked so far away from home or overnight before.
A study released by the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2003 reports that nearly 175,000 pedestrian fatalities occured between 1975 and 2001. Currently, 12% of all automobile accident fatalities arise from pedestrian accidents. Sadly, one in five pedestrian collisions in the U.S. are hit and run crashes. Further studies indicate that young children and the elderly are frequent victims of hit and run crashes.
Alcohol is another significant factor in fatal pedestrian crashes. In fact, alcohol among pedestrians accounts for 37% of fatal crashes while alcohol among drivers is 18%.
According to another study, performed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Florida has the highest rate of pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. Consequently, The Florida Pedestrian System Plan was developed in order to promote safety, security, convenience and comfort for Florida pedestrians. While the program is still in its implementation stage, it has made several recommendations to promote safety among pedestrians.
Some highlights of those recommendations include:
• Widening sidewalks to accommodate possible obstructions
• Construct bus stops with adequate sidewalk access
• Installing pedestrian aids such as signals and pushbuttons
• Establishing full-time pedestrian coordinators for urbanized areas
In my practice as a personal injury lawyer practicing in Polk County, Florida, I have often represented pedestrians who have sustained serious injuries or fatalities as a result of an automobile accident. In the midst of a tragedy, it is crucial for victims and their families to hire an experienced lawyer who will work diligently to maximize a potential recovery.
