Unfortunately, these accidents happen all too often in Fort Lauderdale, Miami Gardens and communities throughout Florida. Too many drivers fail to pay attention to pedestrians or simply refuse to yield the right of way to them when the law requires it. Our Broward County pedestrian accident lawyers aggressively protect the rights of injury victims and fight for the compensation they are due when negligent drivers hit them. We also provide outstanding client service for pedestrian injury victims by handling every aspect of their case while they focus on their health. If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident, contact our Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyers now at [otm_phone-number type="link"] to discuss your case.
Florida Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Motorists are not the only ones in danger on Florida roads. Given the number of vehicles on the roads in Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and throughout South Florida, a large number of pedestrians are injured and killed each year in pedestrian accidents. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported that in 2013: - There were 8,410 crashes involving pedestrians in Florida
- Almost 500 pedestrians were killed in these accidents
- Another 7,500 pedestrians suffered injuries ranging from minor scrapes and cuts to catastrophic and permanent injuries
Common Risk Areas for Pedestrians in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident cases often occur in areas where pedestrian activity intersects with high traffic volume and negligent driving. Knowing these locations helps reduce the risk of serious injuries and guides accident victims in seeking compensation when accidents happen.- Downtown Fort Lauderdale The bustling streets of downtown Fort Lauderdale see frequent pedestrian accidents. Distracted drivers, traffic signals ignored by negligent motorists, and heavy foot traffic make this area a common site for severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries and neck injuries.
- Las Olas Boulevard This vibrant area attracts both pedestrians and motor vehicles, creating a high risk for pedestrian accident injuries. Pedestrian accident victims often suffer debilitating injuries due to distracted driving or speeding.
- State Road A1A This popular route in South Florida poses significant risks for pedestrians. With limited crosswalks and negligent drivers, injured pedestrians often require emergency medical services after accidents.
- Broward Boulevard and Federal Highway (US-1) These major thoroughfares frequently experience pedestrian accidents. Injured pedestrians navigating poorly marked crosswalks or dealing with distracted drivers often face serious injuries and file personal injury claims to seek financial compensation.
- School Zones and Parks In areas near schools and parks, pedestrian injuries frequently occur due to negligent driving during drop-off and pick-up hours. These incidents often lead to personal injury lawsuits to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related expenses.
Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen In Florida?
As we have seen at [otm_company-name], driver negligence serves as a leading cause of pedestrian accidents in Florida. Drivers often fail to recognize or respect when pedestrians have the right of way. For instance, when a pedestrian crosses the street in a marked crosswalk, with a “walk ” signal or green light, the pedestrian has the right of way, and the driver must yield. Additionally, pedestrians have the right to walk on the side of the road where no sidewalk is available.
In many cases, pedestrian accidents occur because car, truck and motorcycle drivers simply fail to see the pedestrian on time in order to avoid the collision. This may be due to: - Drunk or drugged driving
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Driving too fast for the road, weather or traffic conditions
Common Injuries After a Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian accidents in Fort Lauderdale often result in serious injuries due to the vulnerability of pedestrians at the accident scene. Without the protection of a motor vehicle, pedestrians frequently suffer severe injuries that require extensive medical care and lead to significant financial burdens. Working with a Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyer can help accident victims seek compensation for their resulting injuries and other accident-related expenses. Here are some common pedestrian accident injuries that personal injury lawyers frequently handle:- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): These debilitating injuries can occur when a pedestrian's head strikes the ground or a vehicle, causing long-term emotional distress and expensive medical treatment.
- Neck and spinal injuries: Injured pedestrians may experience neck injuries or spinal cord damage, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis.
- Broken bones and fractures: Legs, arms, ribs, and other areas are often broken due to the force of impact in pedestrian accident cases.
- Internal injuries: Injuries sustained may include internal bleeding and organ damage, which require emergency medical services and intensive care.
- Soft tissue injuries: Torn ligaments, sprains, and bruises can result in chronic pain and mobility issues.
- Lacerations and cuts: Broken glass and debris at the accident scene can lead to severe wounds requiring surgery.
- Psychological injuries: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common among pedestrian accident victims, impacting their emotional well-being long after the accident occurred.
What Should You Do After A Pedestrian Accident?
If you or a loved one have just been injured in a pedestrian accident in South Florida, including Fort Lauderdale, Miramar, and Plantation, you are likely feeling overwhelmed confused, and possibly afraid of the future. These feelings are natural and appropriate. But it is important, if you can, to take appropriate steps to protect your legal rights: Call The Police
It is very important to your case that the police come to the scene to investigate the accident. Many times, the police are able to interview witnesses and make observations that can be very helpful to your case.Seek Medical Treatment Immediately
Even if you feel okay or your loved one says they are fine, you should still be evaluated as quickly as possible by a medical professional. This evaluation may reveal certain internal injuries that have not yet manifested any symptoms.Identify Witnesses And Preserve Evidence
If possible, the pedestrian or someone with him or her at the time of the accident should attempt to collect the names and contact information for witnesses who might have seen or come upon the scene of the crash. In addition, take photographs of the scene of the accident, the car or cars involved, any tire marks, the victim’s injuries, and other evidence as this can make preparing for a pedestrian accident trial much easier. Make sure this information and these photographs are also stored in a safe and secure location for future use.Meet With An Attorney
Finally, you should contact [otm_company-name]’ Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident attorneys as soon as possible.How Can You Determine Fault In A Pedestrian Accident?
Your ability to recover compensation after a pedestrian accident will depend on whether you can establish fault on the part of the driver that hit you. Our attorneys at [otm_company-name] in Fort Lauderdale have extensive experience with investigating these types of accidents. We will know how to preserve, gather, and study evidence pointing to fault, including:- Accident scene photos
- Surveillance video footage
- Eyewitness statements
- Black box information
- The driver’s cellphone records
- The driver’s blood, breath or urine test results
What If You Were Partially At Fault For Your Pedestrian Injury?
Insurance companies often try to blame pedestrians for the injuries which they suffer in collisions with motor vehicle drivers. This is because Florida has a pure comparative fault system. In this system, the damages which you claim in a personal injury lawsuit can be reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned to you. For instance, if you are deemed to be 40% at fault, your damages would be reduced by 40%. Our attorneys at [otm_company-name] know how insurance companies operate. We won’t let them take advantage of you. By conducting a thorough investigation of your case, we will be prepared to challenge any attempts to put underserved blame on you for a pedestrian accident that has left you with serious injuries.What Damages Can You Pursue After A Pedestrian Accident?
Pedestrians lack any structural protection that will absorb the impact of a collision with a motor vehicle. A pedestrian may also get knocked several feet and hit the ground hard after a motor vehicle strikes. This is why pedestrians often suffer life-changing injuries in collisions with motor vehicles, including:- Skull, hip and other bone fractures
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Cuts and lacerations
- Friction burns
- Loss of limbs
- Soft tissue injuries
- Significant scarring and disfigurement
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Our attorneys at [otm_company-name] know how these injuries can require extensive medical treatment and prevent victims from being able to work and earn income. If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident, we will work tirelessly to pursue compensation for you such as: - Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death damages (if your loved one died in a pedestrian accident)
How Long Do You Have To File A Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit?
Florida law places a limit on how much time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit after you have been hurt in a pedestrian accident. This is called the statute of limitations. So, if you fail to file a claim within that time period, you will likely be barred from recovering any compensation. Because of the statute of limitations, it is important to seek help from an attorney as soon as possible after you or a loved one suffers harm in a pedestrian accident. At [otm_company-name], we can investigate your case right away and take steps to ensure that your claim is filed in a timely manner.