Drivers in Florida are obligated to pay attention to pedestrians and reduce risk. When they are negligent and ignore pedestrians, that behavior can cause devastating accidents. A single negligent driver can turn a simple walk outside into a life of extensive and expensive medical treatment.
If you’ve been injured in a recent accident with a driver, you need to speak to a pedestrian accident lawyer from Sweet James. Pedestrians who’ve sustained injuries may face a long road to recovery in front of them. But we can help you recover financial compensation for your injuries and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Call us today to schedule a free case consultation with a pedestrian accident lawyer serving Florida.
Pedestrians Have Rights in Florida
Pedestrians have the right to use public sidewalks and cross the street at intersections and crosswalks. Drivers have a responsibility to yield to pedestrians who have the right of way and must otherwise drive safely to reduce risk to walkers. Pedestrians have the right to cross at all intersections, even those that don’t have an explicit crosswalk marked.
At the same time, pedestrians must abide by rules regarding crossing the street and walking near roads. Those walking on the road are expected to stay on walkways and yield to motorists if crossing at a place other than an intersection or crosswalk. Our pedestrian hit by car lawyers serving Florida will help ensure that your rights are protected.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Florida
Below are some common causes of pedestrian accidents in Florida:
- Distracted driving. Pedestrians have a much smaller profile than passenger vehicles, so it’s easy for distracted drivers to not notice them. Texting, adjusting the radio, and talking with passengers are all common distractions in a vehicle.
- Impaired driving. Drunk drivers lack coordination and have lower reaction times, so they may ignore road signs and fail to stop in time to avoid a pedestrian accident.
- Ignoring right of way. Pedestrians have the right of way when legally crossing at intersections and crosswalks. They also generally have right of way in parking lots. Drivers who ignore these rules cause pedestrian accidents.
- Defective traffic signals. Defective traffic lights or missing traffic calming signals can cause pedestrian accidents. For instance, a defective crosswalk signal might signal “walk” while traffic is still passing.
- Poor road design. Some road designs are inherently confusing or designed in such a way that pedestrian accidents are more likely. For instance, a sharp turn before a pedestrian crossing might cause visibility issues with drivers.
Determining what caused your accident is crucial to the claims process because it allows us to show a direct relationship between a driver’s behavior and your injuries. Our pedestrian accident attorneys serving Florida can identify the cause of your crash and help you hold the liable party accountable.
Who Pays for Injuries After a Pedestrian Accident?
If you’re injured in a pedestrian accident, your first line of compensation should be your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. This is additional coverage on your auto policy that pays for your injuries after an accident. You can use your PIP coverage even though you weren’t driving a car when injured.
PIP coverage will pay for up to 80% of your medical bills and up to 60% of your missing weekly employment income. Since coverage is no-fault, you can receive these PIP benefits regardless of who was at fault for the accident. However, PIP coverage won’t pay for pain and suffering.
What If I Don’t Have PIP Insurance?
Florida requires all motorists to have PIP insurance. But pedestrians who don’t own cars are not required to carry coverage. If you don’t have PIP coverage, there are two possible alternatives:
- A household member’s PIP coverage
- The at-fault driver’s PIP coverage
You can talk to our pedestrian accident lawyers serving Florida to discuss other alternatives to using your own PIP coverage.
Suing the At-Fault Driver After a Pedestrian Accident
Our Florida pedestrian accident attorney team may also be able to help you sue the responsible driver for your injuries. If your injury losses exceed your PIP coverage or your injuries are severe enough, you may be able to sue the at-fault driver and other responsible parties.
With a traditional at-fault lawsuit, our pedestrian injury lawyers serving Florida can help you recover a greater range of compensation than PIP coverage alone will allow. This includes non-economic damages for your pain and suffering and emotional distress.
Time Limit for Filing a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Florida
Florida law typically gives you two years from the injury date to file a lawsuit against a negligent party for a pedestrian accident. After two years, the statute of limitations will expire and so will your legal right to recover financial damages.
Even though you have two years, you shouldn’t delay speaking to a Florida personal injury lawyer. You legally have two years, but you need to start early to maximize your chances of claim success. Even minor delays can impede evidence collection and documenting your injuries.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Serving Florida from Sweet James
If you’ve found yourself searching for a “Florida pedestrian accident lawyer near me,” you know that choosing the right one is not easy. Lawyers are a dime a dozen, but there is only one Sweet James. You can count on us to provide competent and effective legal representation.
We are unafraid to fight for your interests and will use every strategy and resource at hand to secure a favorable outcome. Send us a message online or call today to schedule a free case consultation with our team.
