“I’ve witnessed a whole bunch. I can sit in my house and hear, ‘Crash!’ I know what happened,” she said recently after learning about the planned overhaul.

The county recently announced that work will begin soon on the $1.5 million renovation of the intersection, which will include adding a middle left turn lane that should significantly reduce the number of rear-end collisions at the intersection.

Another Sanford resident, Dick Hedges, avoids the intersection whenever possible, citing the difficulties and dangers of making left-hand turns.

“There should be a turning lane there, I believe. You just have to wait for the light and dart and take your chances,” he said.

At least 17,000 motorists travel through the intersection every day, but they are not the only ones at risk. Pedestrians must also brave the intersection on their way to school, their homes and other nearby destinations, and many have been struck and seriously injured or killed at the intersection in recent years. Last September, an 11-year-old was struck by a car and critically injured while crossing the intersection.

Ask any Orlando personal injury attorney about the most dangerous intersections in Central Florida, and the intersection of Hartwell Avenue and County Road 46-A ranks near the top of any list. People who are injured in accidents at this and other notorious intersections often seek the counsel of Orlando personal injury lawyers such as James O. Cunningham to help them seek damages against negligent drivers. Since 1977, Mr. Cunningham has helped countless injured people receive the fair and just compensation they deserve through negotiated settlements and court awards. If you or a member of your immediate family has been injured in an accident and you have questions about your rights and the law, call Mr. Cunningham today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

The pedestrian was taken to Florida Hospital for treatment but died of his injuries shortly after arrival. FHP troopers say that charges are pending in the accident, which remains under investigation. They are asking anyone who may have witnessed the accident or knows anything about it to call the Florida Highway Patrol at 407-737-2213 or Crimeline at 407-423-8477.

Since he began practicing law in 1977, Orlando personal injury lawyer James O. Cunningham has seen the Orlando metropolitan area grow significantly in size and population. He has also seen the number of pedestrians injured and killed in pedestrian accidents climb steadily over the years and the metro area become the nation’s most dangerous for anyone walking or biking along roadways. Regular readers of this blog will know that a report issued last year named our area the worst in the country for pedestrian accidents after years of steadily increasing and tragic accident statistics. There are many reasons for this ignominious distinction, including the following:

• Infrastructure designed for automobiles
• Very large intersections
• Lack of sidewalks
• Large number of drivers who run red lights
• Talking and texting on cell phones while driving
• Intoxicated drivers
• Drivers who deliberately try to intimidate pedestrians and bicyclists

Pedestrians who survive being struck by an automobile often face a very long and expensive road to recovery. That is one of the many reasons why so many injured people choose Orlando personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham to help them seek damages against the negligent driver who injured them. Mr. Cunningham has a proven record of success, gives each client and case the individual attention they deserve and works hard to help clients receive the fair and just compensation they need to pay medical bills and recover from their injuries. If you would like to speak with Mr. Cunningham in a free consultation, call him today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000.

The police are withholding most details while their investigation continues and are reportedly trying to determine why the driver of the car crossed four lanes of traffic to strike the pedestrians. Police say the women were standing on a sidewalk when a car of unknown make and color veered through traffic and struck them. An article in the Orlando Sentinel about the accident did not state whether or not the driver remained at the scene or fled to avoid taking responsibility for his or her actions.

Sadly, accidents like this only add to the Orlando metropolitan area’s reputation as the country’s most dangerous place for pedestrians. Readers of this blog know very well that Florida in general and our area in particular lead the nation in numbers of people killed and injured in pedestrian accidents. Experts cite a combination of circumstances that contribute to this sorry distinction, such as lack of sidewalks, an infrastructure built specifically for automobiles, drivers who are ignorant of state laws, busy roadways, wide intersections and others. Despite local efforts to raise awareness about pedestrian safety and increase the number of sidewalks and other safety measures, much remains to be done to make area roadways safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Perhaps most distressing of all are recent reports of some drivers who deliberately try to intimidate walkers and bicyclists by driving too closely to them, braking suddenly, trying to run them off the road and other aggressive acts. If you or a close family member has been struck and injured in a pedestrian accident and you would like to speak with an experienced Orlando personal injury attorney, call James O. Cunningham today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000. Mr. Cunningham has a proven record of success helping injured people receive the fair and just compensation they deserve and gives each client and case the individual attention they deserve. Call today to get an aggressive Orlando pedestrian accident lawyer on your side!

Between 2000 and 2009, more than 5,000 people were struck and killed in pedestrian accidents in our state. A well-publicized report issued by transportation group Transportation for America earlier this summer listed Florida as the worst state in the country for pedestrian accidents as well as bicycle accidents. Around 11.1 percent of all people killed in pedestrian accidents and 17.4 percent of people killed in bicycle accidents are killed in Florida each year. Making matters worse, Transportation for America found that the Orlando-Kissimmee metropolitan area is the most dangerous place in the country for pedestrians.

There are a number of reasons why our area has earned this unfortunate distinction, including the following:

• Lack of sidewalks
• A transportation infrastructure designed and built specifically for automobiles
• Heavy traffic on area streets and highways
• High speeds
• Poor public awareness about the scope of our area’s pedestrian accident problems

All of these factors contribute to making our area dangerous for people who walk and bike to get around, but the single-largest factor is drivers who engage in negligent behavior such as the following:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• Speeding
• Running red lights
• Driving aggressively to intimidate pedestrians and bicyclists
• Talking or texting on cell phones while driving

Have you or a close family member been injured in a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver? If so, you may be entitled to receive damages to help pay medical bills, replace lost wages and compensate you for pain and suffering and other damages. If you would like to speak with an Orlando personal injury lawyer who believes in giving each client and case the individual attention they deserve, call James O. Cunningham today at 888-425-2004 or 407-425-2000 to schedule a consultation. He has law offices throughout Central Florida and has a proven record of success helping injured pedestrians. Call him today!

FHP officials say that deputy involved in the accident is assigned to the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation, a group of law enforcement officials from several different agencies. The FHP accident report said that the deputy was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident and investigating officers say that alcohol was not a contributing factor in the pedestrian accident. FHP officers say the woman died at the scene of the accident and were investigating whether or not the victim had been drinking before the accident.

This pedestrian accident was the second to involve an unmarked Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy car that day. Earlier that day, a kindergartener was critically injured when she darted out in front of an unmarked car on John Young Parkway at Orange Center Boulevard. The girl was listed in stable but critical condition when the article was published.

The State of Florida, especially cities in Central Florida, leads the nation in people struck and injured or killed in pedestrian accidents. Since 1977, Orlando pedestrian accident attorney James O. Cunningham has been helping pedestrian accident victims and the families recover from these terrible accidents. A person walking along the road or crossing at an intersection has no defenses against a moving vehicle weighing thousands of pounds. As a result, many pedestrian accident survivors face a long, painful and terribly expensive road to recovery. The families of people killed in Florida pedestrian accidents must contend with the loss of a loved one, burial expenses and medical bills.

If you or someone you care for has been hurt or killed on a Central Florida pedestrian accident, Orlando pedestrian accident attorney James O. Cunningham may be able to help. He offers free consultations and offers his services on a contingency-fee basis, which means that clients are not charged any fees unless he makes a recovery for them. Schedule a free consultation with Orlando pedestrian accident lawyer James O. Cunningham today.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident after being struck by a 2007 Saturn sedan around 6 a.m. while he was crossing the intersection of Sand Lake Road, or State Road 482, and Universal Boulevard in Orlando. The article said that the investigation was ongoing, but a police official said that he did not believe that any charges would be filed against the Saturn’s driver, a 50-year-old Haines City man. The investigating police officer said that the intersection is a busy area often used by tourists in the area and does not have any crosswalks.

“We are heartbroken today by the loss of a wonderful and loving husband, father, grandfather and physician,” said a statement released today by the victim’s family. “He dedicated his life to his family and patients. His rewards from a life of caring were tremendous and his loss unfathomable.”

Orlando is the most dangerous place for pedestrians in the country, followed by Tampa and Miami. The Orlando metropolitan area has the highest rate of pedestrian accidents in the United States and the rate has been steadily rising for several years. People who are struck by cars often suffer very serious injuries such as:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Compound fractures
• Back Injuries
• Ruptured organs
• Paralysis
• And many other types of injuries requiring expensive medical care

Orlando pedestrian accident attorney James O. Cunningham has represented pedestrian accident victims and their families for well over three decades. He helps them receive the compensation they deserve to offset expensive hospital stays, prescription medication, rehabilitation regimens, lost wages and other accident-related costs. He offers free initial consultations and explains complex laws in plain, easy-to-understand language so that his clients and their families can make informed decision about which course of actions will be best for them. If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in a Central Florida pedestrian accident, call Orlando pedestrian accident lawyer James O. Cunningham today.

A police spokesperson said that it looked like the vehicle struck the victim with the left front bumper, causing her to roll on top of the car’s hood. The victim was transported to the trauma unit of Shands at the University of Florida and died from her injuries a short time later. The police said that the extent of the victim’s injuries warranted the dispatching of the Traffic Homicide Unit immediately.

“We believe the woman was in the road when she was hit by a vehicle,” the spokesperson said. “We don’t know why she was in the road.”

He went on to say that investigating officers told him that the car’s driver was helpful during the investigation and did not exhibit any obvious signs of drunkenness or otherwise impaired by drugs and alcohol. According to the report, the driver willingly submitted to sobriety tests. The victim had graduated from the University of Florida in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and planned to apply for veterinary school.

Pedestrian accidents like this one happen nearly every day in Florida and seldom do these accidents result in happy endings. If the person struck by the car or truck isn’t killed by the impact, they often spend weeks or months recuperating in hospitals and rehabilitative facilities. They must contend with not only the profound physical discomfort from the accident, but also the considerable financial discomfort and stresses of costly medical bills.

Under Florida law, a pedestrian must give the right-of-way to all vehicles on the roadway if crossing a street outside of a marked or unmarked crosswalk, either at the intersection or at mid-block. If you or someone you care for sustains injury in a pedestrian accident, call Orlando pedestrian accident attorney James O. Cunningham today and schedule a free consultation to learn what rights to recovery you have in your particular situation. If Mr. Cunningham accepts your case, he will work hard to help you and your family receive the financial compensation you deserve to help with lost wages, medical bills and other expenses. Contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham today and put his 33 years of legal experience to work for you.

“I want to say I’m so sorry to (the victim’s mother),” the man said after sentencing. After the accused made that statement, Judge Roger McDonald made an unusual request that stunned many in the courtroom—including the accused man’s mother.

“Mothers, come on up. Why don’t you embrace?” asked the judge, requesting the victim’s mother and the defendant’s mother to hug each other. “What I ask you to do, to embrace each other, not only as you just did, but I highly recommend you work together,” the judge added.

The judge exhorted the two mothers to work together to put an end to street racing. The defendant told the judge and others in the courtroom that he plans to fight illegal street racing when he gets out of prison. Then he faced the accident victim’s mother and said,

“I feel sorry for this nightmare I have created out of this. I feel horrible knowing I was the cause of death of (the deceased.)”

The victim’s mother responded to the apology saying, “To help another kid from getting hit, we will do it. We will welcome his family in and take whatever ideas we have so we can make it stronger and make this law go through.”

The accident occurred on June 14 and the defendant turned himself in to authorities three days later on June 17. Prosecutors in the auto accident case claimed that the defendant had tried to hide evidence by making a claim to his auto insurance company. While the victim’s family believed a charge of vehicular homicide would have been appropriate, the defendant pled guilty to the lesser charge of causing an accident that resulted in death. The defendant claimed that he did not see the victim walk out in front of his speeding car. He received a two-year prison sentence and five years of probation.

Anyone engaging in illegal street racing is operating their vehicle in a grossly negligent manner and putting the people around them at risk. Orlando pedestrian accident attorney James O. Cunningham has been helping pedestrian accident victims and their families obtain the financial compensation they deserve for well over 32 years. If you or a loved one incurred injuries or if a loved one died in a Central Florida pedestrian accident, call Orlando auto accident lawyer James O. Cunningham today.

The victim’s mother has urged law enforcement authorities to investigate the pedestrian accident, but the lack of publicity in the case has made her uncertain whether or not the police were looking for the driver who struck the young man and fled from the scene. She went public recently with her dissatisfaction about the lack of cooperation and communication in the case.

“They left my son laying face down in a ditch for 45 minutes,” she said this week. “That 45 minutes could have saved my son’s life…My 10-year-old son wants to know why this happened to his brother. I want to have some kind of closure on this—why my baby had to be taken from me. I have not seen anybody since the day they came to my house and told me my son was hit.”

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office were the first to respond to the pedestrian accident, but turned the case over to the Florida Highway Patrol. After the mother made repeated inquiries about the case, Sgt. Kim Montes located the case in the department’s computer system.

“As to why the PIO wasn’t notified, I don’t know,” Montes said after finding the incident report. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to those two investigators yet. Per our policy, they’re supposed to send me a press release on any fatality.”

The computer system shows that the FHP received the call at 8:40 p.m. that evening and arrived on the scene at 9:24 p.m., the victim was airlifted to the hospital in critical condition at about 8:52 p.m. and the parent was notified about the accident around 10:08 p.m. that night. The driver of the vehicle that struck the teen and fled from the scene was identified as a 29-year-old woman also from Okahumpka.

Pedestrian accidents claim over 100 lives each year in Florida, and thousands more suffer severe injuries that require long and expensive stays in the hospital. Expensive medical care and other accident-related expenses cause terrible financial hardship for victims and their families. Orlando pedestrian accident attorney James O. Cunningham has been helping victims and their families receive the compensation they deserve to help with expenses since 1977. If you or someone you care for has been hurt or killed in a pedestrian accident, call the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham today to schedule a free consultation.