Pedestrian Injury is the Latest Tragedy on Shore Drive in Virginia Beach

Shore Drive in Virginia Beach is one of the most dangerous highways in the city, renowned for crashes caused by speeding drivers and accidents involving pedestrians. The highway made the wrong kind of headlines last week when a pedestrian ended up with critical injuries.

The incident occurred in the afternoon in the 4000 block of Shore Drive, according to WAVY.com. The pedestrian was hit by a car and transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Shore Drive has gained a reputation as one of the most hazardous roads in Virginia Beach and the state in recent years. Shore Drive runs east from the City of Norfolk to First Landing State Park where it’s heavily wooded with poor visibility. To the west of First Landing, bars, restaurants, and stores line the highway, making it a busy location for traffic.

Last year, a 32-year-old driver was killed on Ocean Drive near Fort Story. Police blamed speeding for the crash on a November afternoon.

In recent years, the highway authorities have fitted markers and rumble strips to help control the speed of motorists on Shore Drive, as well as reducing the posted speed limit. Sadly, excess speed remains a serious issue.

Shore Drive has an unenviable safety record. In 2016, the website Only in Your State labeled it the deadliest road in Virginia. The number of deaths on the road since 1971 has hit double figures. The road is the location for the Share Shore Drive Day in July when cyclists ride it to highlight the very real risks they face.

The speed limit on the road was recently reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph. Shore Drive may no longer be the most hazardous road in the state but the accidents keep occurring. In 2018, a terrible crash on Shore Drive claimed the lives of three people.  Wet weather and drivers failing to adjust to the conditions appear to have played a part in the wreck. The death of a pedestrian in 2015 renewed a debate on whether a crosswalk was needed.

The number of pedestrian deaths post-COVID-19 has risen in Virginia, reaching a record high of 125 in 2021. Cyclists are also extremely vulnerable in Virginia Beach, a city that lacks dedicated bike paths.

The car crash experts at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers know all about the dangers of Shore Drive. Some of our attorneys live in Virginia Beach and we recently opened a second client meeting location in Virginia’s biggest city.

Roads such as Shore Drive and Sandbridge Road become increasingly busy over the summer months with vacation traffic. Often visitors are unaware of the risks and may cause wrecks in Virginia Beach. Our legal team helps the victims of serious car crashes in Virginia Beach. Sometimes these injuries are so serious they are unable to fight the insurance companies for the compensation they deserve alone. Please call us as soon as possible after you suffer an injury in Virginia Beach for a free consultation.