Pedestrian Struck and Killed In Fort Lauderdale

Juan Herrera, a 37 year old pedestrian was killed in a weekend crash on West Broward Boulevard.

Mr. Herrera was struck by a 1999 Lexus driven by Jaime Valderrama, 44, of Miami Beach at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday in the 1100 block of West Broward Boulevard, said Fort Lauderdale police spokesman Detective Travis Mandell.

As is typical in South Florida, Valderrama tried to leave the scene but was stopped a few blocks away, in the 1400 block of West Broward Boulevard, police said.

Pedestrian accidents are the second most common cause of motor vehicle death.

As a Miami Car Accident attorney, I feel there are two main causes for car-pedestrian collisions: pedestrian error and driver error. Pedestrian error usually involves the pedestrian disregarding traffic lights, jaywalking, or children darting into traffic (which can endanger both the child and the pursuing parent or guardian). Driver error also stems from the disregard of traffic signals and laws, but it also comes from a lack of attention paid by the driver to people that are already in the road. Not surprisingly, driving while under the influence can cause pedestrian accidents very easily.

Other factors that can contribute to a pedestrian accident include:

-Time of day (45% of all pedestrian accidents occur from 6 pm- midnight)

-Day of the week (risk is much greater on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday)

– Age (children under 16 are the most likely to be victims of a pedestrian accident)

– Speed of the vehicle (the faster the vehicle is going, the less likely it will be able to stop before a collision, and the more likely it is that the collision will be fatal to the pedestrian)