A Florida personal injury lawyer may be necessary for victims of pedestrian accidents anywhere in Florida, particularly if they want to recover compensation for damages. An experienced Fasig | Brooks’ accident attorney can help and guide them through the complexities of the legal process.
However, contacting a pedestrian accident attorney in Florida as soon as possible is important because there are many things to consider before starting a legal claim. And many victims are also eligible for an off-court agreement. However, an off-court agreement requires investigation evidence and a lot of paperwork.
Common Injuries in Florida Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians can suffer greater damage than car drivers in an accident since they do not have the same protection a car offers. Our experienced attorneys have represented pedestrians who suffered all types of injuries, such as:
- Broken bones. After an accident, victims often report fractures in fingers, wrists, arms, and legs. Some of these injuries require costly surgical interventions and can be extremely painful.
- Traumatic brain injury. Pedestrians can get hit in the head by a vehicle or hit their head on the pavement, leading to severe head injuries such as traumatic brain injury. And a TBI can even cause temporary or permanent disability.
- Spinal cord injury. Severe pedestrian accidents can cause a spinal cord injury, one of the most expensive injuries to treat and can have devastating consequences on a victim’s life.
- Psychological injuries. Being run over by a car can be a traumatic experience, and many victims can carry the emotional and psychological trauma for years. It is also worth mentioning psychological counseling can be extensive and costly.
- Internal injuries. Getting medical attention is important after a pedestrian accident, even if you do not feel injured. Internal injuries can take weeks to show symptoms and present a greater threat to victims.
- Neck injuries. Some injuries, such as whiplash, are common in transit accidents, and pedestrians are not exempt. A whiplash injury can be painful and have long-term consequences.
There are many ways a pedestrian can get injured in a transit accident in Florida, and if your injury does not appear on the list, your attorney can look at your case to determine if you have a valid claim.
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How Can an Accident Attorney Help After a Florida Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian accidents can get complicated really fast. That is because many parties can be involved and share responsibility for the accident. And it tends to be even more complicated when the liable driver was uninsured at the moment of the accident.
These are some of the functions your Florida pedestrian accident lawyer will take to claim damages while protecting your legal rights:
- Conducting a private investigation. To claim compensation for damages after a pedestrian accident, your Florida lawyers need evidence, and the best way to get it sometimes is to conduct a private investigation on your pedestrian accident.
- Determining liability. Your pedestrian accident attorney will use all available evidence to demonstrate how the liable party’s actions caused your accident and, therefore, your injuries.
- Calculating damages. Many insurance companies tend to ignore non-economic damages and under-calculate economic damages. But your legal representative can calculate and demonstrate the damages you deserve compensation for.
- Negotiate with insurance companies. Insurance claims seem pretty straightforward. But in practice, insurance companies and adjusters tend to take advantage of victims who have never negotiated a financial agreement. But your attorney can protect you and negotiate on your behalf.
- Represent you in court. Most cases are resolved in an off-court financial agreement. Still, on the rare occasions a case goes to trial, your pedestrian accident attorney is ready to represent your best interest in a Florida Court.
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Pedestrian Accident Attorneys and Florida Statute of Limitations
One of the main reasons to get a lawyer’s assistance early in your case is the time limit to take legal action. The Florida Statute of limitations for pedestrian accidents is two years, which allows victims to present a claim within two years after their accident. However, it is worth mentioning that missing that date can also mean losing your right to claim damages.
Besides, this time frame can get shortened depending on many circumstances, such as a government entity being liable. Talk to a Fasig | Brooks’ law expert today to determine exactly how much time you have left. They may be able to get you an extension if your time is about to expire.
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Common Causes for Pedestrian Accidents in Florida
Pedestrian injuries can occur in all types of scenarios. However, there are some common causes for most of the pedestrian accidents our lawyers handle, and in most cases, the main reason is driver’s negligence. These are some of the common causes of pedestrian accidents in Florida:
- Driving while distracted. Distracted drivers cause most pedestrian accidents. Distractions such as texting, operating a GPS, eating and drinking, or switching the radio are the most common causes of car and pedestrian accidents.
- Driving under the influence (DUI). Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs are one of the main causes of severe injuries. Not only pedestrians but many road accidents are caused by alcohol or drug abuse.
- Road rage and aggressive driving. Enraged drivers tend to speed, cut other drivers and drive erratically. Those behaviors can cause devastating pedestrian accidents when they occur next to an intersection or pedestrian crosswalk.
- Speeding. Speeding drivers often lose control of their vehicles and invade the sidewalk or fail to brake on time at a red light, which can cause harm to any nearby pedestrians.
Talk to a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Florida Now
If you were the victim or lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident in Florida, you may be entitled to compensatory damages. First, however, it is important to determine liability and calculate an appropriate compensatory amount. And a Florida pedestrian accident attorney is the right person to do that. Fasig | Brooks lawyers can take your case on a contingency basis, which means you do not need an up-front payment, and you will only be charged if and after we recover compensation for you. Contact our Florida offices today and schedule a free strategic consultation where we can answer all your questions.
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