Bayshore Boulevard, considered the jewel of Tampa, has become a magnet for speeding vehicles and pedestrian accidents. On January 9, 2020, a man was struck by a business vehicle and landed in Hillsborough Bay.
The driver crashed headlong into the balustrade at approximately 60 MPH, 25 miles over the posted speed limit. Witness and first responder Christopher Martinez immediately noticed something off about the Pinch a Penny pickup truck about 10 seconds before the driver, identified as Benjamin Douglas Ehas, crashed.
Martinez pulled over right away to help both injured men until EMTs arrived on the scene. The man in the water died of his injuries. Later that day, Ehas was arrested for manslaughter while driving under the influence (DUI) and vehicular homicide.
While car fatalities have gone down, pedestrian accidents have increased
With 3 pedestrian deaths in 2 years, safety measures have been taken to prevent fatalities from occurring on Bayshore Boulevard, such as reducing the speed limit, adding barriers and increasing the distance between the sidewalk and the road.
But many residents believe the city hasn’t done enough.
Pedestrian accidents have increased by 35 percent in the past 10 years, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). This makes passersby on sidewalks, bikers and joggers more vulnerable than ever to accidents involving moving vehicles.
If you or a loved one are suffering from such an accident, hiring an experienced Tampa lawyer can make all the difference.
Safety measures for pedestrians
Here are 7 simple steps pedestrians can take to stay safe on Bayshore Boulevard and throughout Tampa:
- Yield to all traffic signals
- Be aware of surroundings at all times
- Stay on the curb until the traffic signal indicates it’s safe to cross
- Only cross the street at a designated crosswalk
- Always look before crossing the street
- Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at night, to increase visibility for other drivers
- If there’s a sidewalk or bike lane, use it instead of walking or biking on the road
Why hiring a Tampa pedestrian accident attorney is the smart move
Even if you take all of these steps listed above, there’s still the risk of being injured in a pedestrian accident due to someone else’s negligence.
If you or a loved one have suffered from severe injuries due to a pedestrian accident, hiring an experienced pedestrian accident attorney could help relieve you of medical expenses and ease the loss of property during a difficult time. The Lorenzo & Lorenzo family will fight for yours to make sure you and your family receive the best representation.
