While pedestrians are protected by many laws intended to make it safer for them to share the road with larger vehicles, the unfortunate truth is that pedestrian accidents can and do occur. A car may strike you as you are walking across the street or jogging along the side of a road, or a truck may run a traffic signal while you are using the crosswalk.
If you are suffering after a pedestrian accident, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for your injuries. Learn more about how a pedestrian accident lawyer in Jupiter, FL, can help by calling the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine at 1-800-747-3733 for a free consultation.
Determining Liability for Your Injuries After a Pedestrian Accident
There are many factors that go into determining liability after a pedestrian accident, but you do not have to navigate the complexities of this process alone. A personal injury lawyer in Jupiter, FL, can help investigate your case and collect evidence that supports your claim.
Determining the Cause of Your Pedestrian Accident
No matter what vehicle they are driving, a driver has a duty of care toward those who are legally on and around the road. If a driver violates that duty and causes an accident through their negligence, they can be held liable for the resulting injuries.
Major contributing factors to traffic accidents include:
- Distracted driving: A driver may be texting, checking their email, talking on the phone, adjusting their GPS, putting on makeup, eating, or performing any number of other actions that take their attention off of the road.
- Speeding: A driver can be driving in excess of the speed limit or driving too fast for weather conditions.
- Failing to yield the right of way: A driver may fail to yield the right of way as you walk across a street in a crosswalk.
- Not obeying a traffic signal: A driver may fail to stop at a red light or stop sign.
- Turns: A driver could make a turn without activating his or her turn signal or without looking for pedestrian traffic.
- Backing up: A driver may back his or her vehicle from a parking space and fail to look or see you behind the vehicle.
- Impaired driving: A driver may be operating his or her vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Gathering Evidence to Prove Liability for a Pedestrian Accident
Our lawyers can strengthen your case by helping you gather evidence. Some of the things we can do include:
- Visiting the scene of your accident.
- Interviewing any witnesses who saw the accident.
- Checking to see if a traffic camera or a business surveillance camera caught footage of the accident.
- Getting cell phone records to see if the driver was on the phone or texting at the time of the accident.
If you suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident, contact a pedestrian accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for help.
Recovering Compensation for Your Injuries in a Pedestrian Accident
Florida is a “no-fault” insurance state, which means all Florida drivers must obtain Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. Regardless of who is at fault, your own PIP coverage applies to the first $10,000 of medical expenses and lost wages resulting from your injuries in a pedestrian accident. Your PIP coverage does not cover property damage or non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
You can go outside your PIP coverageall Florida drivers must obtain Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance and file a personal injury suit if you suffer a serious injury that causes your losses to exceed $10,000.
Injuries You Can Suffer in a Pedestrian Accident
Some of the injuries you can suffer in a pedestrian accident include:
- Head injuries
- Spinal or back injuries
- Hip fractures
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Road rash
- Injuries to your face
Damages You Can Recover in a Pedestrian Accident Claim
While every case is unique, some of the damages you may be able to recover compensation for include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
A personal injury lawyer who knows how to calculate your pain and suffering settlement in Florida can help you determine what compensation may be appropriate given the details of your case.
Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
In Florida, you have just four years to file a personal injury claim. The sooner you begin the process, the more time you’ll have to build a compelling case to pursue the compensation you deserve.
If you suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident in Jupiter, FL, we may be able to help. Call the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine at 1-800-747-3733 today for a free consultation.
We Can Help.
