Florida Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
A pedestrian accident can completely upend your life. Whether you’re living with injuries or coping with the loss of a loved one, you may be suffering emotionally and financially as you face a mountain of accident-related expenses. While no amount of financial compensation can undo the accident or your injuries, holding the responsible parties fully accountable with the help of a Florida pedestrian accident attorney can help as you grapple with pain, suffering, lost income, and medical bills.
The Freidin Brown, P.A. team is backed by decades of experience and extensive legal knowledge. In one recent case, we recovered over $2 million for a client who was hit as a pedestrian by a car in a parking lot. If you or a loved one is recovering from injuries from a pedestrian accident in Florida, we’re the law firm you can depend on for compassionate representation. Our personal injury lawyers are ready to help you. Call us today at 888-677-7764 for a free consultation.
We Will Personalize Our Legal Strategy for Your Florida Pedestrian Accident Case
Freidin Brown, P.A. keeps caseloads smaller to ensure we give our clients the time and attention their legal matters need. We get to know our clients and remember every detail of their situations as we work diligently to recover the financial compensation they need.
We use 45 years of service and more than 100 combined years of experience to guide us while working to recover the maximum compensation for our clients. We have two attorneys always overseeing planning sessions and case strategy development, and we prepare our cases like we’re going to trial just in case we cannot settle outside of court.
How Our Florida Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Can Help You
A Florida pedestrian accident attorney from our team will do the following in your case:
- Investigate the accident to determine what occurred
- Collect case-supporting evidence that proves your account of how the accident happened (e.g., medical reports, bills, income statements, witness testimony, photos, video surveillance footage)
- Identify all liable parties that owe you compensation and prove their negligence, including third parties, such as municipality or manufacturer
- Assess your economic and non-economic losses, such as emotional distress, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Lead negotiation talks for a favorable settlement
- Manage communications with all involved parties
- File all case paperwork and monitor your case’s deadlines
- Take your case to court if a fair settlement cannot be reached
- Answer your questions and concerns
Our experienced attorneys will handle your entire case while you or your loved one focuses on healing from the accident.
Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Get Results for Our Florida Clients
The following are examples of case results we’ve secured on behalf of our clients injured in pedestrian accidents in Florida. These settlements were based on the unique circumstances of each case:
- After highly contested litigation, we secured a $3.45 million settlement on behalf of a client who suffered catastrophic injuries after being struck by a vehicle in a parking lot.
- After locating a witness who crushed the defense’s main theory, we secured a $270,000 settlement on behalf of a pedestrian who was struck by a security golf cart, resulting in a fractured and dislocated ankle.
You can’t predict the value of a settlement without having a pedestrian accident lawyer assess your case’s details. However, Florida’s laws allow pedestrians to sue for compensation against negligent drivers and other liable parties.
Recoverable Damages in a Florida Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit
There are two types of damages injured parties can claim in a pedestrian accident case: economic and non-economic. Here’s an explanation of each:
Economic Damages
The main categories of economic damages that can be claimed in a Florida pedestrian accident case:
- Medical expenses: This category covers hospital, doctor, surgery, physical therapy, and other health treatment costs related to the injuries. It can also include future care costs.
- Lost income: This includes wages lost if injuries prevent victims from working for a period while recovering.
- Loss of earning capacity: This award compensates victims for the permanent impact on their ability to work and earn income.
- Out-of-pocket expenses: This category covers prescription medications, medical equipment, transportation to medical appointments, household services, property damage, etc.
- Loss of Services: If you or a loved one is no longer able to perform services for the family that were provided prior to the accident, then you might be able to recover the replacement value of those lost services.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are compensation for losses that do not have a fixed dollar amount. This includes the value of your pain and suffering, emotional distress, or the loss of a loved one in the case of fatal pedestrian accidents. Other non-economic damages include compensation for scarring or disfigurement and the loss of enjoyment of life.
Our legal team will assess your damages and determine how much you can demand from the liable parties. To learn more about your legal options and next steps in a Florida pedestrian accident case, call Freidin Brown, P.A. at 888-677-7764.
Why Is Florida So Dangerous for Pedestrians?
According to data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) crash dashboard, at least 10,245 pedestrian-involved crashes occurred in Florida in 2022. Nearly 800 people died in these crashes, which caused more than 7,900 injuries.
A SmartGrowth America analysis published in 2022 ranked Florida No. 2 after New Mexico for the most pedestrian deaths that occurred between 2016 and 2020 in the United States. The data can prompt one to ask, “Why is Florida so dangerous for pedestrians?”
There are the usual dangers pedestrians face due to driver negligence, like speeding and distracted drivers, but Florida also has unique conditions that draw people to the Sunshine State; however, these conditions might also make it dangerous to walk here. The state’s sunny climate means we have crowded streets and year-round pedestrian activity.
Many Florida cities also have inadequate infrastructure with a lack of safety features for pedestrians. Additionally, the state’s tourism industry means an increase in alcohol consumption and drunk drivers who may not see pedestrians or stop for them in time.
State leaders and traffic safety advocates continue efforts to reduce pedestrian accidents through infrastructure improvements, public awareness campaigns, and enforcement. But until significant improvements have been made in those areas, pedestrians will remain at risk.
How Negligence Causes Pedestrian Accidents in Florida
Driver negligence commonly involved in pedestrian accidents includes the following:
- Speeding: Driving above the posted speed limit reduces a driver’s ability to spot and brake for people crossing the road.
- Distracted driving: Actions like texting, eating, and talking on a cell phone divert attention from the road and pedestrians.
- Failure to yield: Drivers who fail to heed crosswalk signals or stop signs can strike pedestrians who have the legal right-of-way.
- Ignoring visibility issues: Driving recklessly in fog, heavy rain, or darkness when visibility is compromised can cause pedestrian crashes.
- Unsafe backing up: Some drivers cause accidents when they fail to look for pedestrians while reversing vehicles out of driveways or parking spots.
- Impaired driving: Consuming alcohol or drugs that slow reaction times and decision-making abilities behind the wheel can cause accidents.
- Disregarding pedestrian islands: Some drivers fail to stop for pedestrians standing on safety islands or medians while attempting to cross busy multilane roads.
Any dangerous behind-the-wheel behavior that reflects impatience, negligence, or impairment can put nearby pedestrians at serious risk of accidents and injuries. If you or a loved one is injured because of driver negligence in Florida, a pedestrian accident lawyer from Freidin Brown, P.A. can protect your rights.
Call Us Today for Help From a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Florida
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a pedestrian crash caused by a negligent driver’s actions, the Florida pedestrian accident lawyers at Freidin Brown, P.A. will pursue maximum compensation through compassionate, dedicated legal representation.
Call us at 888-677-7764 or contact us online to learn more about your rights. We can handle the legal process for you while you focus on recovery. Let us provide the representation you deserve during this challenging time.
Florida Pedestrian Accident Claim FAQs
Who Is Liable in a Pedestrian Accident?
Determining liability in Florida pedestrian accidents involves detailed analysis by lawyers and insurers, and there may be more than one at-fault party. Negligent drivers are most often at fault. According to Florida Statute § 768.125, bars and restaurants may be liable if they served alcohol to a driver who was under 21 or knowingly served someone who is addicted to alcohol.
In addition, an experienced pedestrian accident attorney will look at whether a parking lot or road was defectively designed or had inadequate safety measures.
Your Florida pedestrian accident lawyers will identify all possible at-fault parties in your case to make sure you file a claim for compensation against anyone who contributed to your injuries.
How Long You Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Florida
Under Florida Statutes § 95.11 (4)(a), victims typically have two years from the date of their pedestrian accident to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. However, it’s best to reach out to a Florida pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as you can after an accident. Even if there is still time left of the limitations period, it’s a good idea to get a consultation with an attorney right away so the investigation can begin.
How Much Is a Florida Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
Determining what a Florida pedestrian accident claim is worth depends on your case’s factors. These include how much your accident-related costs are, such as your medical bills, lost income, the cost of emergency transportation, and other expenses. The value of your pain and suffering will also be a factor.
In general, the more severe your injuries, the higher the settlement’s value. However, the settlement amount can be reduced if you share any percentage of responsibility in the accident. For example, if you are found to be 20% responsible, your compensation will be reduced by 20%. If you are more than 50% responsible in Florida, you can’t recover any compensation, per Florida law.
Another important factor is the insurance coverage or collectability of the defendant driver. If there is no money to be recovered, then the value of your case may be greatly diminished. Learn more about how much your Florida pedestrian accident case may be worth by reaching out to the team at Freidin Brown, P.A. today.
