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Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Palm Beach County

“Look left, then right, then left again.” This is the refrain we all learned as children about how to safely cross the street. Even when following these instructions, pedestrian accidents occur all-too frequently. In Palm Beach County alone, 63 individuals died and another 661 were injured in pedestrian accidents in 2024[1]. Pedestrian accidents can be particularly traumatizing because the victim’s body takes the full force of the car hitting them, whereas in a car crash, the victims have the protection of the car around them to help reduce the possibility of injuries. Following are four of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents:

Speeding

When a driver speeds, it is much more difficult for them to react to unexpected turns in the road or pedestrians in the road, increasing the likelihood that the driver will lose control of the car and hit a pedestrian. Moreover, accidents that happen at higher speeds are more likely to cause more severe injuries or death.  

Distracted Driving

Driving while texting is arguably the most well-known form of distracted driving, however, it is not the only one. Eating or drinking, fiddling with the radio, arguing with a passenger, having a crying baby in the backseat, putting on make-up, or programming the GPS are all forms of distracted driving. When a driver is distracted with one of these activities, they might not see you while you are crossing the street or walking in a parking lot and hit you.

Poor Visibility

Here in South Florida, we are fortunate not to have snow and ice, but we have plenty rain, fog, and sun glare. Additionally, at night, poor street lighting and glare from oncoming traffic can make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians.

Impaired Driving

Driving combined with drugs or alcohol is a deadly combination. Drugs and alcohol slow a driver’s reaction time, cause blurry vision, reduce coordination, reduce judgement, and increase risk-taking. They can also cause a driver to pass out while behind the wheel. Impaired driving alone causes 30% of deaths from traffic accidents[2].

If you are the victim of a pedestrian accident, seek medical attention right away. You may have life-threatening injuries and not even realize it. Often, victims have an adrenaline surge after an accident that masks the true level of pain and injury that they are experiencing. Once your medical condition is stable, contact ECanter Lawyers for a free consultation to learn your legal rights for securing compensation for your injuries. ECanter Lawyers has a track record of success in securing compensation for accident victims and will fight to make sure you receive the best possible outcome for your case.

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[1] Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Crash Dashboard – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Accessed August 9, 2025.

[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Impaired Driving Facts | Impaired Driving | CDC. Accessed August 9, 2025.