Venice, FL — Pedestrian Hit By Car, Killed While Changing Tire

Venice, FL (09/30/2024) – While changing a tire early Monday morning, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and killed.

The pedestrian accident in Venice occurred on I-75 south of River Road at around 4:34 a.m. An oncoming Toyota Corolla struck the pedestrian, who crossed the road in the car’s path. Reports did not indicate factors, such as speed or alcohol, that may have contributed, nor if the driver attempted to avoid hitting the pedestrian.

Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen?

In 2021, there were 9.450 reported pedestrian accidents across the state of Florida, resulting in 817 deaths, and many more injuries. Collisions involving pedestrians and motor vehicles can result due to any number of factors, some of which are caused by drivers, while others are the fault of pedestrians themselves. 

Driver-Related Causes

Drivers play a crucial role in preventing crashes involving pedestrians and motor vehicles. However, some of the primary causes of pedestrian accidents are due to the action or inaction of drivers. Factors that contribute to such serious and fatal collisions include:

• Distracted Driving
• Speeding
• Impaired Driving
• Failure to Yield
• Poor Visibility

These and other such causes may lead to drivers not seeing pedestrians, or lacking the time and space to react and avoid a crash.

Pedestrian-Related Causes

While drivers often bear fault in accidents with pedestrians, the pedestrians themselves also have a responsibility to ensure their safety. Pedestrian-related causes that commonly contribute to serious collisions include:

Crossing Outside Designated Areas

Drivers generally expect pedestrians to be in areas designated for them, and not in the road. Therefore, crossing the street outside of crosswalks or intersections can make it more difficult for motorists to see them, increasing the chance of accidents.

Failing to Follow Signals

Just as pedestrians expect drivers to follow street signs and signals, motorists have this same expectation for pedestrians. As such, not following the signals can put drivers at risk.

Distractions

When sharing the road with vehicles, it’s important for pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings. Seeing and hearing hazards can give them the time and space needed to react in order to not get hit by a car. Thus, distractions, such as listening to music or looking at their phones, may be dangerous for pedestrians.

Walking Against Traffic

Many pedestrian accidents happen because drivers do not see pedestrians. Walking against traffic can make it more difficult for motorists to see those outside of vehicles with whom they share the road. 

Suing for Wrongful Death in Florida

When pedestrian accidents result in fatalities, such as the wreck this morning, the victims’ families may be able to file wrongful death lawsuits. In Florida, these types of cases allow for the recovery of damages to compensate the decedents’ surviving family members for their loss. 

Who Can Sue for Wrongful Death? 

The ability to file a wrongful death lawsuit depends on the circumstances of the case, and the deceased’s surviving family members. Not everyone related to a decedent are eligible to pursue legal action. Those typically eligible to file such a lawsuit in Florida include the victim’s surviving spouse, or minor or dependent children. If the decedent was not married and did not have dependent children, his or her parents may pursue a wrongful death action.

What Damages Can You Recover in a Wrongful Death Case?

If a wrongful death lawsuit is successful, the surviving family members may be entitled to recover various types of damages to compensate for their loss. They may obtain compensation for economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages

Families who lose a loved one due to the negligence of another may receive compensation for economic losses, such as loss of support and funeral expenses. There are times when a decedent may provide some or all of the financial support to their families. Loss of support damages seek to make the decedent’s next of kin as close to financially whole as possible. 

Non-Economic Damages

In addition to the tangible losses resulting from a wrongful death, families may recover non-economic damages. These provide compensation for the less-easily quantified losses that may result from the death of a loved one. For instance, non-economic damages may include loss of companionship and loss of services. 

Pedestrian accidents are often serious or deadly. If you lost a loved one in a crash involving pedestrians and motor vehicles, contact our injury lawyer, Jim Magazine. With more than 30 years of experience in personal injury law, Magazine & Light Law Group has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of accident victims and their families.

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association