Unfortunately, signs alone won’t stop reckless drivers from causing accidents
In the wake of a fatal pedestrian accident, Colorado Springs officials created several school zones with lower speed limits throughout the city, according to a recent report by The Denver Gazette.
"The changing times mean changing needs," Tony Karr, Colorado Springs School District 11 executive director of school operations, said in an interview with The Denver Gazette.
At The Longo Firm, LLC, we applaud these efforts to keep children safe, but we know that speed limits alone won’t stop reckless drivers from putting lives at risk. When someone is hit while walking near a school, in a crosswalk, or anywhere they have a legal right to be, it’s almost always the result of careless driving.
We’ve seen firsthand how devastating these crashes are for families. That’s why our Colorado Springs pedestrian accident lawyer fights for full and fair compensation—not just for medical bills and lost wages, but for the lasting emotional and physical toll these crashes cause.
If you or your child was hit by a car, don’t wait to take action. Attorney Stephen A. Longo and his dedicated legal team can help you understand your legal options and fight to hold the at-fault driver responsible.
Colorado Springs takes steps to prevent pedestrian accidents
At the start of the recent school year, Colorado Springs announced the creation of 12 new school zones at middle schools and high schools in the area, according to The Denver Gazette.
By creating new school zones, the speed limit will be lowered to 20 mph near the schools and will feature flashing lights to warn drivers to slow down. Such changes have already been implemented at District 11's Holmes Middle School in Colorado Springs.
The additional school zones will be installed this year and next year at middle and high schools throughout Colorado Springs, according to Todd Frisbie, a city traffic engineer. "The primary thinking behind that is that students are older and can navigate the transportation system better," he said.
Fatal pedestrian accident prompts changes
The recent addition of school zones with slower speed limits in Colorado Springs was prompted by the 2023 death of 17-year-old Giorgia Trocciola, a Doherty High School student who tragically died in a fatal pedestrian accident.
"When we installed the school zone at Doherty, it set a precedent that pushed us to pursue school zones at other middle and high schools," Frisbie told The Denver Gazette.
The additional school zones will target streets near schools in Colorado Springs where the speed limit is 40 mph or higher. Additionally, Colorado Springs officials announced that improved crosswalks and pedestrian signals will be installed in select areas of the city.
Pedestrian accidents are a problem in Colorado
Streets and roads located near schools aren’t the only places where pedestrian accidents happen. The problem exists throughout Colorado Springs and across the state.
In the past five years, the number of pedestrian deaths in El Paso County, Colorado (which includes Colorado Springs), has increased by 62 percent, from 8 fatalities in 2019 to 13 in 2023, according to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Statewide, the problem is even worse. In the past decades, pedestrian deaths in Colorado increased by 98 percent. In 2014, there were 63 pedestrian fatalities in Colorado. By 2023, that figure had skyrocketed to 125.
Why speed is so deadly for pedestrians
Multiple studies have found that the faster vehicles go, the more likely pedestrians are to be seriously injured or killed.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently released a study about the connection between speeding and pedestrian fatalities. Some of the reasons speeding can be so dangerous for pedestrians include:
- More severe injuries due to the greater force of impact in a collision.
- Drivers have less time to slow down and avoid a collision with a pedestrian.
- Pedestrians have less time to react and avoid being hit.
- Shorter distance between when drivers apply the brakes and hit someone due to high speeds.
How a Colorado Springs pedestrian accident lawyer can help
Losing a loved one to a preventable accident is every family’s worst nightmare. We’ve seen how pedestrian crashes shatter lives, and we know families need more than condolences.
At The Longo Firm, LLC, we stand with accident victims and fight tirelessly to hold reckless drivers and their insurance companies accountable. If you or your child was injured, let us protect your rights and pursue the justice you deserve.
To learn more about your potential legal options after a pedestrian accident in Colorado, contact us today for a free consultation. There are no up-front costs, and you pay no legal fees unless we win your case.
"Steve got it done. Easy to contact, Steve kept me in the legal "loop" every step of the way. Anyone would do well to have Steve as their lawyer." – Gary, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐