Pedestrian Accidents

While Florida has beautiful weather and relatively flat terrain, it is still one of the worst places in the country to be a pedestrian. In fact, Florida has the second highest number of fatal pedestrian accidents [link to Wrongful Death page] in the United States and seven of the top 20 most dangerous cities to walk in can be found in Florida. At the Blakeley Law Firm, P.A., we have a long history of representing pedestrians in personal injury cases, helping to connect them with meaningful compensation for what they’ve been through. We routinely go up against some of the largest and most well-funded insurance companies and know what it takes to get our victims precisely what they deserve—and nothing less.

Most Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents occur because the driver of a car or truck doesn’t see the pedestrian. Thus, not surprisingly, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents. However, motorists that engage in any of the following dangerous driving behaviors also put pedestrians at an increased risk of harm:

• Speeding and other types of aggressive driving,
• Drunk driving, and
• Drowsy driving.

For example, an impatient motorist might try to pass a car that’s turning left by veering onto the shoulder where they hit a pedestrian, or a driver might start to doze off behind the wheel and drift up onto the sidewalk, hitting a pedestrian. In these cases, the driver will very likely be found to be at least partially responsible for the accident.

For pretty obvious reasons, pedestrian accidents tend to result in some of the most serious injuries. Pedestrians who are hit by a car often have little to no notice and are caught co5mpletely off guard. Because of this, most pedestrian collisions involve a direct impact, which can send a pedestrian flying into the air before they hit the pavement or another stationary object. Given the realities of these accidents, the injuries are often severe and may include the following:

• Traumatic brain injuries,
• Spinal cord damage,
• Herniated discs,
• Broken bones,
• Internal organ damage,
• Scarring and other disfigurement, and
• Neck injuries.

Of course, many pedestrians end up paying the ultimate price for another’s negligence, especially in Florida. In fact, Florida’s rate of fatal pedestrian accidents is roughly 50 percent higher than the national average. Pedestrians who were injured in an accident, as well as families who lost a loved one in a pedestrian collision, can pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the driver.

Yes, merely because a pedestrian was hit by a car while crossing outside of a designated crosswalk does not prevent them from filing a personal injury lawsuit against a driver. However, because the pedestrian was not using a crosswalk, the insurance company will almost certainly argue that the pedestrian was partially to blame for the collision. In these situations, the pedestrian’s total damages award will be reduced by their own percentage of fault.

If you or a loved one was recently injured in a Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident, reach out to the Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys at the Blakeley Law Firm, P.A., to set up a free consultation. At the Blakeley Law Firm, P.A., we have more than 20 years of combined experience aggressively pursuing maximum compensation on behalf of accident victims and their families. We provide free consultations to all prospective clients, during which we outline the recovery process, answer your questions, and explain how we can help. We have conveniently located offices in Miami Gardens, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Jacksonville. To learn more, and to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today, call (800) 602-5000. You can also reach us through our online contact form. Calling is free, and we will not collect any fee for our services unless we can connect you with compensation.