Woman Killed In Pasco County Crash After Exiting Vehicle

Sometimes you need to pull over and get off the road while behind the wheel of a vehicle. Maybe you have a flat tire or perhaps you’re not feeling well.

But even when you pull completely off the road, you could still get hit by a car. Sadly, this recently happened in Pasco County. A woman was killed on State Road 54 just after midnight on July 27.

The 40-year-old woman, from Land O’ Lakes, was driving east in a Honda Civic when she stopped along the edge of the road near Crescent Moon Drive in New Port Richey for unknown reasons. She opened her car door and exited her vehicle just as a 21-year-old man in a Ford Explorer was driving by in the outside lane.

The vehicle hit the woman. She died at the accident scene. Her passenger, a 37-year-old man from Odessa, suffered minor injuries. The driver of the Ford was not injured.

Pulling Over to the Side of the Road

Pulling over to the side of the road safely is important to avoid accidents. Here are some steps to do it correctly:

• Signal early. Use your turn signal to indicate your intention to pull over. This alerts other drivers that you will be moving out of the traffic lane.
• Choose a safe location. Look for a safe and level spot away from traffic. Avoid pulling over on curves, hills, or where visibility is limited. Look for a designated pull-off area or wide shoulder.
• Check your mirrors and blind spots. Before moving over, check your rearview and side mirrors, as well as your blind spots, to ensure it’s safe to change lanes.
• Move to the side smoothly. Steer your vehicle towards the side of the road smoothly and steadily. Avoid sharp turns or sudden movements.
• Stop parallel to the road. Once you are off the roadway, stop your vehicle parallel to the road. Ensure your vehicle is completely off the road to avoid obstructing traffic.
• Turn on hazard lights. After coming to a stop, turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers that your vehicle is stationary.
• Stay in the vehicle if unsafe. If it’s not safe to exit the vehicle (for reasons such as heavy traffic or dangerous weather conditions), stay inside with your seatbelt fastened.
• Use reflective triangles or flares. If you need to exit the vehicle and it is safe to do so, place reflective triangles or flares behind your vehicle to increase visibility.

Seek Help for Your Car Accident Case

Car accidents can happen at any time. Simply exiting your vehicle on a busy road can put you at risk.

The Dade City & Zephyrhills auto accident attorneys from Madonna Law Group can assist you if you have been injured in a crash. We have the resources and the years of legal experience to pursue maximum compensation for victims of car accidents. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling (800) 557-0411.

Source:

tampabay.com/news/breaking-news/2024/07/27/woman-killed-getting-out-car-state-road-54-pasco-county/