In 2010, Florida was the number two state for pedestrian fatalities at 487, which is almost 20% of all traffic fatalities. Second only to California at 599 fatalities or 22%, this is a real concern for both Floridians and the many out-of-state visitors that come to Florida each year. Additionally, there are the thousands of pedestrian accidents happening each year that don’t result in death, but do result in serious injuries that have the potential to permanently alter your way of life.
When you or a loved one is suffering due to a pedestrian accident, you shouldn’t also have to suffer the financial consequences. An experienced Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents lawyer will fight to recover the damages you deserve while you work on the most important step in the process: healing.
About Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Attorney Lisa Levine
Lisa Levine and her team at Lisa S. Levine P.A. are passionate about serving the needs of those who have suffered due to another’s negligence or recklessness behind the wheel. With over 35 years of experience fighting for personal injury cases like yours, you can rest assured that Lisa will treat your case with care and respect.
If you have been injured due to a pedestrian accident in the Fort Lauderdale area, including Miami, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Jupiter, Aventura, Coral Gables, Hollywood, and Sunrise contact the attorneys at Lisa S. Levine P.A. today. Your first consultation is free, so call 954-256-1820 to schedule yours today.
Injury Victim
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Fort Lauderdale
The high number of pedestrian accidents in Florida seems to be cause and effect. Florida is a tourist state offering many attractions that increase foot traffic. There is also an increase in vehicle traffic caused by these same visitors that, when added to regular traffic by residents, increases the risk for accidents. The resulting effect is an increase in car accidents involving pedestrians. Most of these accidents involve a degree of negligence by the driver, including:
- Failure to obey speed limit
- Failure to decrease speed in poor conditions
- Failure to observe traffic signals
- Failure to observe warning signs
- Failure to yield right-of–way
- Inattentive Drivers
- Distracted drivers, such as those texting while driving
Though the driver poses the most serious risk to the situation, there are things you can do as a pedestrian to prevent an accident and preserve your safety. Make sure you use crosswalks, even if you have to walk extra to get to one, and check for right-turning drivers before advancing at the walk signal. Always look both ways – even when you have the right of way – and wear light or otherwise reflective clothing if at any time you will be walking in darker conditions.
If you are injured in an accident, contact an experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the incident to begin the investigation and fight for your case.
Types of Injuries in Broward County Pedestrian Accidents
Motor vehicles are generally designed to protect the driver and passengers inside, not what they come into contact with – even if that contact is with a person. Therefore, even at relatively low speeds, a vehicle can cause severe damage to a pedestrian. Depending on the weight, size, and speed of the vehicle, it is possible to sustain the following injuries from a car accident involving a pedestrian:
- Severe cuts and bruises
- Muscle sprain or strain
- Fractured or broken bones
- Head Injury
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), including concussion
- Back Injury
- Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
- Paralysis
- Paraplegia, Tetraplegia, or Quadriplegia
The two main factors that affect the severity of the injury are the impact of the pedestrian’s body with the car, and the impact of the pedestrian’s body with the ground. For instance, if a pedestrian is hit by a sedan, he or she will most likely suffer injury to the lower body from the hips down. If the speed of the sedan was such as to knock the person down, he or she may sustain a concussion or back injury due to the fall.
Since all of these injuries were caused by the accident, the victim can contact a Broward County personal injury attorney and fight to recover damages for all of them.
What to Do After a Weston Pedestrian Accident
After you or a loved one is struck by a vehicle, it can be extremely difficult to keep calm and follow procedures. However, given that many pedestrian accidents are hit-and-run incidents, regaining your composure is the most important thing you can do. This will allow you to ensure the following tasks are properly performed so that you can get the restitution you need later:
- Write down or relay to a willing person as much information about the vehicle and driver as you can remember
- Call the police and necessary medical personnel
- Take solid note of your surroundings –the speed limit, any traffic lights or signs, crosswalks, etc.
- Locate witnesses who can verify your story when the police come
- Be as truthful and detailed as possible in your testimony to law enforcement personnel
- Consider submitting to a physical examination even if you feel you are not badly injured
Finally, after law enforcement and medical personnel have done their duties, call an experienced Fort Lauderdale motor vehicle accident attorney as soon as you are able. Having a qualified personal injury attorney on the case early on could help you retrieve maximum compensation for your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accidents in Florida
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help If I Was Injured in a Broward County Pedestrian Accident?
The first thing Florida personal injury attorney Lisa S. Levine, P.A. will do for her clients is to make sure they are receiving proper medical treatment for their injuries after a pedestrian accident. We will also communicate directly with the insurance companies involved and thoroughly investigate the accident.
We will gather and analyze evidence including:
– Police reports
– Medical records
– Witness statements
– Photographs
– Expert opinions
We will evaluate your injuries to determine the maximum compensation to seek for lost wages, medical costs, and any other expense related to the pedestrian accident. We will analyze any long-term financial needs, future wage loss, or medical care.
When the investigation is complete, we will handle the legal aspects of litigation, negotiating your claim and fighting in court if necessary to achieve the most favorable ruling.
How Will Comparative Negligence Affect a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Florida?
Comparative negligence in Florida pedestrian accident claims is used to assess what percentage each party was at fault in an accident. If the pedestrian is found to be partially at fault, the amount of compensation they can recover will be reduced by their percentage of fault.
For example, a pedestrian is struck by a car, but the courts determine that they were 10% at fault for the accident. If the pedestrian is awarded $50,000 in damages, that amount will be reduced by the 10% that they were found to be at fault.
It should be noted that a party that is found to be more than 50% at fault will not be able to recover damages.
Should I Post on Social Media If I Am Injured in Pedestrian Accident?
When you are injured in an accident and seeking compensation from the negligent party, it’s the job of the other party’s attorney to disprove your claim. To do this, they might use your social media accounts against you.
Find out what Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents lawyer Lisa Levine advises when it comes to social media and personal injury claims.
Where Do Pedestrian Accidents Most Frequently Occur?
According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), most pedestrian traffic deaths occur in urban settings, on the open road, and at night. In 2018, most pedestrian deaths occurred on Saturdays (1,031).
Get Help from a Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer
Being struck by a vehicle is a painful enough experience. If you or a loved one is suffering due to a pedestrian accident in Broward County or the surrounding areas of Miami-Dade County or West Palm Beach, don’t face the financial damages alone. The compassionate legal team at Lisa S. Levine P.A. will aggressively pursue the restitution you deserve for you. Your first consultation is free, and we don’t charge you until you receive compensation, so call us at 954-256-1820 today.
