1 Killed, 2 Injured In Motorcycle-Pedestrian Crash

You don’t usually hear about motorcycles hitting pedestrians but it happens. In fact, such an incident recently occurred in Pasco County. One person – the pedestrian – died in the crash.

The fatal accident happened on the evening of December 15 on US-19 in Port Richey. A 60-year-old man was driving a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He was heading north on US-19, near Seward Drive, when a pedestrian entered the path of the motorcycle. The motorcyclist hit the pedestrian, a 64-year-old man from Fort Myers Beach. He died at the accident scene. The motorcycle rider and a passenger, a 41-year-old woman from Port Richey, suffered serious injuries.

Causes of Motorcycle-Pedestrian Crashes

Motorcycle-pedestrian crashes are a significant safety concern, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities due to the vulnerability of both motorcyclists and pedestrians. Some common causes include:

• Limited visibility. Motorcycles are smaller and harder to see than larger vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents in areas with high pedestrian activity.
• Excessive speed by motorcyclists or difficulty judging the speed of a motorcycle by pedestrians can contribute to crashes.
• Failure to yield. Motorcyclists or pedestrians may fail to yield right of way, especially at crosswalks or intersections.
• Distracted driving/walking. Use of mobile devices or lack of attention from both parties often leads to accidents.
• Alcohol or drug use by either motorcyclists or pedestrians impairs judgment and reaction times.
• Poor road design or infrastructure. Lack of proper crosswalks, poor lighting, and inadequate signage increase risks, especially in urban areas.

Pedestrian Safety Tips

Pedestrians do not always have the right of way. They need to do their part to stay safe. That includes the following:

• Stay visible. Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at night or in low-light conditions. Carry a flashlight if walking in the dark. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing streets to ensure they see you.
• Follow traffic rules. Use sidewalks whenever possible; if none are available, walk facing traffic. Cross streets only at designated crosswalks or intersections. Obey traffic signals and pedestrian crossing signs.
• Be alert. Avoid distractions. Stay off your phone while walking, especially when crossing streets. Avoid wearing headphones that block out environmental sounds. Also, be attentive to your surroundings and anticipate drivers’ actions.
• Watch for turning vehicles. Look out for vehicles turning into or out of driveways or intersections. Be extra cautious at intersections, even when you have the right of way.
• Don’t assume drivers will stop. Even if you have the right of way, confirm that vehicles are slowing or stopping before stepping into the street. Be especially cautious in areas with heavy traffic or limited visibility.

Seek Help for Your Personal Injury Case

Accidents can happen at any time. Even smaller vehicles like motorcycles can cause significant injuries and even fatalities.

The Dade City & Zephyrhills motorcycle accident attorneys from Madonna Law can provide you with the legal help you need for your Florida crash. Get experienced representation today. Schedule a consultation with our office by calling (800) 557-0411 or filling out the online form.

Source:

wfla.com/news/pasco-county/1-dead-2-injured-in-motorcycle-pedestrian-crash-in-port-richey/