Pedestrian Accident Claims Life of ’08 UF Graduate

The Gainesville Sun reports that a car driven by a 20-year-old woman from Gainesville struck and killed a 24-year-old Gainesville resident, who was described by family and friends as a knowledgeable, caring person. Police investigating the accident said that the accident occurred around 6:45 in the evening of November 2 as the victim was walking south in the 2300 block of Archer Road. She was not in a crosswalk. The driver of the car was eastbound on Archer Road and told police she had just moved into the center lane of the three-lane road to avoid hitting a group of pedestrians when she struck the victim.

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 James O. Cunningham today and put his 33 years of legal experience to work for you.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.