Teen Killed during Accident while Skateboarding
On Saturday, March 23rd, a 17 year old high school student was riding her skateboard to work at a nearby Publix when she was struck by a Volkswagen Passat. The accident occurred in Brandon, Florida on the bicycle lane near South Gornto Lake Road and Providence Lakes Road.
The 25 year old driver of the Volkswagen immediately called 911, and the teenager was rushed to Tampa General Hospital with life threatening injuries. The 17 year old sadly passed away the following day at 4pm due to the injuries sustained when she was hit.
Charges have not been filed against the driver, as investigators say the driver did not see the skateboarder. The teenager was wearing dark clothing and riding along the fog line (the line separating vehicle traffic from bicycle traffic) when the accident occurred.
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are becoming so common that the pedestrian deaths in the U.S is approaching a 30 year high. While some of these accidents can be unavoidable, there are some things you can do, as a pedestrian, to try to prevent an accident.
When riding on the bicycle lane, try to avoid the fog line and give yourself some distance between you and vehicular traffic, wear bright colors to make yourself more visible to drivers, and always (always!) wear a helmet when bicycling, skateboarding and rollerblading.
If you or a loved one have been in a bicycle or pedestrian accident call now and schedule a free consultation with the lawyers at Kaire and Heffernan.
Samantha Heffernan
