Gene Hackman Struck by Motorist on Florida Highway
Anyone who has ever driven on Florida’s highways knows that these busy, multi-lane routes are not for the faint of heart. But pedestrians may be even more at risk than drivers and passengers: Florida is among the most dangerous states for pedestrian accidents in the country.
On January 16, veteran actor Gene Hackman discovered this for himself when he was hit from behind by a car while riding his bicycle. The 81-year-old screen icon, who has been in retirement from the film industry for nearly a decade, was riding along a scenic stretch of highway in the Florida Keys when the accident happened. Hackman was taken to the hospital with minor injuries to his body and leg, and released later the same day.
While Hackman did not suffer serious injury, many others are not as fortunate. Florida’s highways are not designed to accommodate pedestrians, and their high speed limits mean that pedestrians and cyclists alike are vulnerable to potential injuries. Consider these telling facts:
· Florida’s I-19 is considered the single most dangerous highway in the United States for pedestrians. According to an NBC study, approximately a hundred pedestrians were killed on or near I-19 between 1998 and 2003.
· The rate of bicycle accidents is also high. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 99 Florida cyclists were killed in traffic accidents in 2009, and 76 in 2010. However, in 2010, the total number of bicycle accidents rose to nearly 5,000.
· The four cities with the highest hit-and-run rates in the United States are all located in Florida. In order, they are Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa, and Miami. In Orlando, more than 550 pedestrians have been killed in traffic accidents over the last 10 years.
Has your life—or the life of a loved one—been shattered by a driver’s recklessness? Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., is a personal injury attorney who practices in car accidents, medical malpractice, and other types of personal injury claims. To schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case, call our offices today at (407) 329-3923.
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