According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2001 Florida led the nation in pedestrian knock down accidents. That year, 449 pedestrians in the state were killed as a result of these tragedies. About 18 percent of all pedestrian accidents are hit-and-runs. Almost two-thirds of accidents occur on city roads, and nearly half occur in the hours between 6 p.m. and midnight.

Children and the elderly are most at risk of being injured in pedestrian knock down accidents. Florida has the highest percentage of pedestrian knock down victims over the age of 65. Almost half of all deaths resulting from pedestrian knock down accidents occur between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. when children typically are returning home from school.

Driver negligence or recklessness is often behind pedestrian knock down accidents. Many speed in residential areas where children are playing. Some drivers turn right on red lights without looking to see if a pedestrian is attempting to cross there, or back up out of a driveway or a parking space without first checking behind them. Drivers always must yield to pedestrians, yet many don’t, hitting those who walk in crosswalks, intersections or parking lots.

Many pedestrian knock down accidents occur when drivers are talking on their cell phones or texting. They may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs when a pedestrian knock down occurs. When a pedestrian knock down accident is caused by the driver’s speeding, it is far more likely to result in a fatality.