Pedestrian Attorney
Pedestrian accidents can be overwhelming. Depending on the circumstances, you may be dealing with physical pain, emotional distress, and mounting financial burdens.
At Ziegler Diamond Law, we understand the severity of these trials and tribulations – Which is why we’re dedicated to standing beside you, providing legal support, compassionate counsel, and fierce representation for Florida pedestrians.
Our attorneys are not only skilled and experienced but also sincerely committed to securing justice and fair compensation for the victims of pedestrian accidents. Continue reading to learn the ins and outs of pedestrian accidents in Florida.
Most Common Types of Pedestrian Accidents
All types of accidents can result in pedestrian injuries, each with its own dynamics and causes. With that in mind, listed below you can find some of the most common types of pedestrian accidents that occur in Florida. They include, but aren’t limited to the following:
- Dart-Out Accidents: This happens with a pedestrian suddenly darts (i.e., quickly runs, jumps, or walks) onto the road, thus leaving oncoming drivers little time to react. Generally, dart-out collisions happen in urban areas with high foot traffic.
- Intersection Accidents: These often happen at intersections where a pedestrian tries to cross, but their attempt isn’t well-timed or a driver runs a red light/stop sign. They can also happen when a driver simply isn’t paying attention.
- Passing Accidents: As the name suggests, this type of pedestrian accident happens when a driver doesn’t notice a pedestrian and hits them. In many cases, this occurs because the driver’s view is obstructed by other vehicles, construction, buses, etc.
- Turn and Merge Accidents: Sometimes a driver can become so engaged with what other road users are doing that they forget to pay attention to the pedestrian access points (i.e., designated crosswalks, cross streets, sidewalks, walking paths, etc.) – Which is typically the main cause of turn and merge accidents.
- Back-Up Accidents: Such a situation often happens in parking lots where a driver doesn’t check their rearview mirrors or blind spots before reversing. Parking lot accidents are notoriously tricky in personal injury cases.
Additionally, crashes involving motor vehicles and pedestrians could be the result of distracted driving (i.e., not seeing pedestrian signals due to cell phone use), drunk driving, right-of-way confusion, motorists traveling over the speed limit on the roadways, etc.).
We take pedestrian safety seriously – If you’ve been hit and injured in a Florida pedestrian accident, you don’t have to figure things out on your own – We’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation with a pedestrian accident lawyer in FL.
What Should I Do After a Florida Pedestrian Accident?
What you do after a pedestrian accident isn’t just a matter of health, it can also have significant implications on your ability to pursue and receive compensation from the at-fault party. That said, here are a few steps you should take immediately after you’ve suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident:
Seek Medical Attention
Your health is your wealth. Therefore, you should seek immediate medical help as soon as you can after the accident. Even if you don’t think you’re injured, it’s still recommended that you contact a medical professional.
If you don’t, it could make it much more difficult to prove that your injuries are the result of the accident. Further, in many cases, injuries don’t appear until hours or days later, which is why is imperative to have a doctor check you out soon after the accident.
Reach Out to Law Enforcement
In addition to medical attention, you’ll want to contact law enforcement so you have a record of the accident. This can be especially helpful if you need to prove to the other driver’s insurance company that they were actually involved in the accident. Further, if they broke any laws, it will be documented by the police officer.
Collect As Much Evidence As You Can
Every personal injury case comes down to one thing – Evidence. If your pedestrian accident attorney can’t uncover enough proof that the other driver was at fault for the accident, it becomes increasingly difficult to win a pedestrian accident case.
With that in mind, when you’ve been injured in an accident, it’s in your best interest to collect as much evidence as you can, including but not limited to:
- Pictures/videos of the accident scene (i.e., weather conditions, neighborhood signs, skid marks on the road, construction signs, potholes, etc.) and the car that caused it.
- Pictures/videos of your injuries
- Eyewitness information like their name, phone number, social media account, etc.
Generally, the more evidence you collect directly after an accident the better.
Keep Records of Your Recovery
Suppose you’ve suffered severe injuries due to the recklessness of a motor vehicle driver. In that case, you should keep detailed records of your recovery process. That can include journaling how you feel, keeping receipts of out-of-pocket costs, and following your physician’s recommendations.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
You, your loved ones, or your children can certainly pursue compensation for your injuries without an attorney, but it’s typically not recommended. That’s because Florida’s pedestrian accident laws are complex and insurance companies are more likely to prey on people who don’t have legal representation (i.e., deny your claim or give a low-ball offer).
Unpacking The Costs: What’s The Price of a Pedestrian Accident Case?
Every accident case is different and there’s no one-size-fits-all cost. Generally, costs can vary depending on the severity of your injuries, the detail of the accident, and how negligent the responsible party was.
At Ziegler Diamond Law, we don’t think that justice should be held up based on money constraints. That’s why we offer a free consultation to better understand your case. We also work on a contingency fee basis. That means that you don’t pay us a dime unless we win your case. Give us a call to learn more.
How Much Compensation Can a Pedestrian Victim Receive?
It’s important to note that compensation for pedestrian accident victims depends on many factors. For example, someone who suffers broken bones due to driver negligence is likely to receive more compensation than a person who only has a few cuts and bruises.
Depending on the facts of the case, victims can potentially recover the following types of damages:
- Economic Damages – These include costs like medical expenses, lost income, and the potential loss of future income due to your injuries.
- Non-Economic Damages – These damages are more intangible. They can include damages for emotional distress, physical pain, and loss of enjoyment caused by the accident.
In some cases, victims can get compensated for property damage (i.e., glasses, cell phones, clothing, etc.). In more extreme circumstances (i.e., pedestrian traffic fatalities), the family of victims may also be eligible to receive compensation for wrongful death.
We understand that no amount of money can truly compensate for your injuries, trauma, and losses. However, a personal injury settlement can potentially alleviate some of the financial stress during your recovery. Continue reading to learn how our pedestrian accident attorneys can help.
Contact Us Today To Speak With a Proven Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Every accident case is unique and comes with its own set of circumstances. At Ziegler Diamond Law, our attorneys are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of Florida pedestrian and traffic law while we fight for your rights.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident or suffered pedestrian fatalities, you don’t have to negotiate with the insurance company on your own.
We’re here to give our support, guidance, and fierce representation at every step of the journey. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced Florida pedestrian accident lawyer.
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