Contact David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A. Today.
Accidents involving pedestrians are more common than you might think. In 2017, nearly 6,000 pedestrians lost their lives in accidents involving vehicles according to the Centers for Disease Control, and an additional 129,000 were treated in emergency departments across the country for injuries. Unfortunately, no statistic can begin to illustrate what happens in the days and weeks following a pedestrian accident.
If you were hit by a car while crossing the street, it’s helpful to discuss your legal options with Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident attorney David Fuchs. To schedule a free consultation, call (954) 568-3636 today.
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident on your own can be overwhelming; between insurance claims and managing any physical or emotional damages you may have, it can feel like too much. This is why it’s generally a good idea to hire a pedestrian accident attorney, as they’ll be able to:
Mercedes Gomez
David I. Fuchs Client
Of course, pedestrians are the more vulnerable of victims in pedestrian accidents, as they don’t have a giant metal cocoon to provide them some protection. In fact, Florida pedestrian accident statistics show that it’s one of five states that contribute to nearly half of pedestrian deaths in the entire country each year.
Just from January to June 2019 alone, 368 people in Florida died in a pedestrian crash.
Some common pedestrian accident injuries include:
It doesn’t necessarily matter where you’re walking when this happens, be it a sidewalk, crosswalk, or even when you’re jaywalking or have the right of way–there’s no place that offers more safety over others when it comes to pedestrian accidents. Cars can easily veer off the street and crash into pedestrians.
Usually, injured pedestrians will seek recourse from the driver who hit them. In some circumstances, however, a third party may be partial to blame. For example, a municipality may be responsible for your injuries if it had faulty traffic control devices, unsafe streets, or a lack of crosswalks in a busy area.
One of the most common questions injured pedestrians ask following an accident is who will pay their medical bills.
The at-fault driver’s insurance company should be responsible for any medical expenses. You may also be able to request compensation for lost wages and the cost of physical therapy or rehabilitation. A pedestrian accident attorney can guide you through your legal options, and advise you on how to proceed with your pedestrian injury claim.
If a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle, the driver is often at fault, even if the pedestrian was not crossing in a crosswalk. Florida law states that drivers should be alert to any hazards on the road, including pedestrians. In other words, a driver will usually be at fault for a pedestrian accident, unless hitting the pedestrian was unavoidable (for example, the pedestrian tried to beat traffic or didn’t look before crossing the road).
Here’s a caveat: jaywalking is illegal in most municipalities in Florida, including Fort Lauderdale. Even if the driver fails to avoid hitting a pedestrian, the pedestrian may still be partially at fault for jaywalking. Since Florida is a “comparative negligence state,” your personal injury claim would be reduced by your degree of fault.
This concept is easier to understand with an example: say you were involved in a pedestrian accident and incurred $100,000 in damages. An investigation, however, reveals you were 20% at fault for the accident. In this case, your maximum verdict would be $80,000.
If you’re a pedestrian who’s been hit by a car, you may ask yourself what to do. Those who have been injured in any type of pedestrian accident should follow these suggestions:
Below are some of the most common questions that attorney David Fuchs gets asked by clients after being hit by a car.
Under Florida law, individuals operating motor vehicles have a heightened obligation to avoid crashes with pedestrians. Still, the duty for motorists to use extra caution when faced with pedestrians on or near roadways is not necessarily absolute.
Pedestrians also have a duty to abide by traffic devices and laws. For example, most drivers know to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are using a marked crosswalk. But what are drivers and pedestrians expected to do when there is no crosswalk?
In the absence of markings or traffic devices, pedestrians are expected to exercise reasonable judgment and not assume that drivers approaching the area will yield. Also, if drivers have the green light, pedestrians are actually expected to yield to drivers.
When attempting to determine liability in a pedestrian vs. car accident, a number of considerations must be taken into account. For instance, the injured party (known as the plaintiff) will be required to show that they’ve been injured due to the driver’s (defendant’s) negligence.
It must also be shown that the driver owed the pedestrian a duty of care and that duty was breached, thus causing the harm that the pedestrian experienced.
Depending on the specifics of the case, proving this may be easier said than done. Accordingly, accident victims are encouraged to seek legal counsel from an attorney as soon as possible after an accident.
After you’ve received appropriate medical care, get in touch with a personal injury attorney. The attorney at David I. Fuchs, Injury & Accident Lawyer, P.A. will protect your best interests and serve as your legal advocate throughout the process. Insurance companies may try to approach you with a low offer or deflect blame to another party.
We’ll work to achieve a settlement that’s fair and appropriately represents your bills, lost wages, and suffering.
Your personal injury claims process begins with a free initial consultation. Let us review the specifics of your case and help you decide on your next best steps. Contact us online or call (954) 568-3636 to schedule your appointment today.
Case Type: Traumatic Brain Injury