Pedestrian Accident Lawyers – Protecting Your Rights and Securing Compensation
Florida ranks among cities with the best roads in the country. Walking along the well-maintained pathways in Florida, the last thing you’d expect is to encounter an unfateful accident. However, an irresponsible driver or poor road increases the risk of accidents, and that’s why pedestrian accident lawyers are so important. Florida is reputedly one of the worst states for pedestrians, with a high number of Florida pedestrian accident fatalities occurring each year. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Florida, you can’t possibly do without requisite legal support to deal with the consequences of an unanticipated accident.
You and your loved ones are not alone, and Alpha Law Group is here to help you every step of the way. We boast a team of the best accident lawyers who will provide you with all the legal guidance you need to mitigate the stress that comes with a pedestrian crash, including severe injuries, financial strain, and unspoken emotional distress. With our pedestrian accident attorneys by your side, you can be confident of securing the maximum compensation to help rebuild your life soon enough.
Why Are Pedestrian Accidents So Dangerous?
Pedestrians are regarded as the most vulnerable of all road users, with a high susceptibility to serious injuries. This is because they generally move unprotected as compared to drivers and passengers in vehicles. As per the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), over 9000 pedestrian crashes reportedly occur in Florida each year, resulting in nearly 800 pedestrian fatalities. Some common causes of pedestrian accidents are given below.
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- Distracted Driving: A driver indulging in other activities or using in-car technology while driving.
- Failure to Yield: Drivers who don’t stop when required, like at crossroads or intersections.
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- Speeding: Reckless driving beyond speed limits can reduce the reaction team and increase the severity of impact.
- Drunk Driving: Driving under the influence of substances can impair drivers and enhance the risk for pedestrians.
- Poor Road Conditions: Absence of indicators like proper signage to regulate traffic, lightning, and crossroads.
These high fatality rates must have sounded an alarm bell, making a personal accident lawyer indispensable to curtail damages.
Common Injuries Pedestrians Can Sustain
Pedestrians are exposed to severe accidents, which can leave them with critical injuries. Commonly sustained injuries by pedestrians include:
- Broken bones
- Head trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Catastrophic injuries, including amputation
- Road rash
Although traffic accidents are the foremost cause of pedestrian injuries, injuries can also be caused by various external factors that can inflict harm along the way, such as an uncontrolled dog that attacks you while walking on the street. Whatever the reason, our accident injury lawyers will work tirelessly to bring to account the responsible parties and secure compensation that is consistent with the accrued damages.
What Compensation Can Pedestrian Accident Victims Recover?
If you are a victim of pedestrian accidents, you are eligible to seek compensation for the following areas.
1. Medical Expenses
This includes the expenses incurred due to medical bills, surgeries, and therapeutic procedures. This also includes future medical expenses if the accident leads to a significant or permanent disability.
2. Lost Wages
An accident means you will be unable to fulfill your work commitments, leading to lost income. Since your earning capacity is reduced, you can claim compensation for that.
3. Pain and Suffering
An accident is not merely limited to physical injuries but can take a toll on the mental health of the victims as well as their families. The emotional distress can be compensated, too.
4. Property Damage
If any of your personal belongings got damaged as a result of the accident, it can be reimbursed by filing a claim.
5. Wrongful Death Damages
If you lost your loved one in the wake of an unfortunate pedestrian crash, you are liable to compensation on behalf of the deceased to cover a range of unexpected expenses, including loss of consortium, burial and funeral costs, and loss of income.
Common Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle
At Alpha Law Group, our top accident lawyers are well-versed in handling a wide range of pedestrian cases, including:
- Crosswalk Accidents: When drivers fail to stop at the designated crosswalks.
- Hit-and-Run Incidents: The drivers flee the accident scene right after the accident.
- Drunk Driving Collisions: in this, drunken drivers lose sense of the road and hit pedestrians.
- Parking Lot Accidents: These accidents normally occur when pedestrians get hit by vehicles in busy parking areas.
- Sidewalk and Road Shoulder Accidents: These accidents are caused by a vehicle that veers off the road and crashes into pedestrians.
- School Zone Accidents: These accidents occur close to schools due to negligent drivers.
How to Book a Consultation With the Best Pedestrian Accident Lawyers?
It can be overwhelming dealing with a pedestrian accident on your own, but the right lawyer can make the process easier and more manageable. If you are looking for pedestrian accident lawyers near me, Alpha Law Group is just a phone call away. Call us at 941-304-1500 to speak directly with someone from our legal team, or you can visit our website to fill out an online form by providing your details along with a brief description of the case. Our pedestrian accident lawyers will assess your case and tell you about the best possible legal course that will yield the best results for you.
How Negligence Per Se Can Affect Your Pedestrian Accident Case
The law of negligence relates to instances where the accident was caused by the negligence of a driver who is found guilty of violating an applicable law or statute while driving and eventually causing harm. This includes situations such as running past the red light, speeding, drunk driving or texting while driving. This means that the plaintiff doesn’t require any evidence to prove the driver guilty, and the burden of proof lies with the defendant himself.
This reinforces the need for having an attorney with you if you are involved in a pedestrian accident case as a driver. It is important to note that the law comes into effect once when the law that is allegedly violated aims to protect pedestrians in the first place. A personal accident lawyer in Florida can help you determine whether negligence per se plays a role in your case.
What Our Lawyers Can Do For You?
Hiring a pedestrian accident attorney in Florida can help you achieve your goal of fair compensation for yourself or your loved one. Our qualified attorney can advocate for your legal rights in the following ways:
- We will investigate the case in detail to understand the unique circumstances of your case and gather relevant evidence that highlights the defendant’s fault in the form of medical records, eyewitness statements, and accident reports.
- We will seek to determine to what extent the driver is at fault and whether you share the blame or not. This is pivotal to build your case on a strong foundation and be well-prepared for any legal counter-attack challenging your claim to damages.
- We will negotiate with other parties and their representatives to arrive at a suitable settlement to ensure you are awarded compensation that reflects your core interests.
- We are all geared to take the case to trial, where our lawyers present your case compellingly based on irrefutable evidence and utilize your legal rights so that you are not denied your rightful compensation.
What Steps Should I Take After a Pedestrian Accident?
An accident can be unavoidable, but what you choose to do after it can significantly impact your current well-being. If you’ve been hit by a vehicle, follow these steps:
1. Seek Medical Attention
This goes without saying, even if the injury is seemingly minor. Some injuries could have long-lasting effects so it’s necessary to have an estimate of ongoing and future medical expenses.
2. Call the Police
The second most important thing to do is to report the accident by calling 911. You should notify the police about the accident and file an official report to initiate criminal proceedings for your case.
3. Gather Evidence
You should gather as much evidence as possible to strengthen your claim, including photos of the accident site, contact details of witnesses, and relevant medical records.
4. Do Not Admit Fault
Steer clear of discussing the accident with anyone, including police officials, unless necessary. Your statements could be distorted and used against you.
5. Contact an Attorney
Get in touch with an experienced attorney with proven expertise in the area to ensure you have sufficient legal coverage going ahead.
Why Choose Pedestrian Accident Lawyers From Alpha Law Group?
At Alpha Law Group, the following features make us your go-to lawyer for pedestrian accident claims.
- Well-experienced Lawyers: We are led by pedestrian accident attorneys with decades of experience dealing with numerous personal injury cases.
- Consistent record of success: Our proven expertise speaks for itself where we have managed to secure favorable legal verdicts both in and out of courts and secured a fair settlement for clients.
- Personalized Legal Attention: Each accident comes with a unique background, and therefore, we strive to apply a customized approach in crafting legal strategies that fit the specific details of your case.
- Aggressive Legal Advocacy: We don’t give in to the pressure from opposing parties and settle for low-ball offers. Instead, we fight vigorously and till the very end to win the maximum compensation for our clients.
FAQs – Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
1. How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit in Florida?
Your claims are subject to Florida’s statute of limitation, which stipulates a two-year deadline for filing your accident case, which is marked from the date of the accident. It is crucial to act quickly within this time frame since beyond that, you risk invalidating your claim, and your case can ultimately be dismissed.
2. Can I still receive compensation if I am partially at fault?
Yes, Florida law is based on the comparative negligence rule, which effectively means that you are liable to recover damages as long as your percentage fault is less than 51%. The amount of compensation you will receive depends on the degree of your fault in your injuries, though if your percentage fault is greater than 51%, you will no longer be eligible for compensation.
3. How long does it take to settle a pedestrian accident claim?
There is no fixed timeline, although it takes a minimum of 6 months to settle a claim and can go as high as a year in other cases. If your case moves on to the trial stage, the period may be extended depending on how complex your case is.
4. Who can be held liable in a pedestrian accident?
Various parties could be held liable whether they were directly involved, like the at-fault driver or poor road conditions, for which you can litigate against relevant government agencies. You are also allowed to sue vehicle manufacturers if any mechanical defect in the vehicle itself contributed to the accident.
5. Is jaywalking illegal in Florida?
Jaywalking per se is not considered a criminal offense in Florida, but this doesn’t give pedestrians unlimited liberty to engage in illegal behaviors. Pedestrians are required to abide by all traffic rules, including Walk and No walk signals and use crosswalks when available to minimize danger.
Reach Out to Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Florida
If you or your loved one has been injured as a pedestrian, you don’t have to stress out about the legal burden, as we will handle all aspects of your case. At Alpha Law Group, we are committed to helping accident victims fight their legal battles and get the compensation they deserve.
If you have fallen victim to a pedestrian accident, contact our top accident lawyers to schedule a free consultation and let us take charge of your case. We will be your trusted partners in your pursuit of justice so that you acquire the financial assistance you require to steer through these challenging times.
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