If you suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident through no fault of your own, do not hesitate to contact the St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys of Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers. We could represent you in your case against the at-fault party. The compensation you receive might pay for the cost of your medical treatment, compensate for lost wages, and cover additional expenses.
Anyone involved in a motor vehicle accident as a pedestrian can suffer debilitating injuries or death. Many motorists don’t notice people crossing the street because they focus on the cars around them or become distracted. A pedestrian is more likely to die in an accident than the occupants of a vehicle. Since they have no protective equipment, such as an airbag or enclosed car, pedestrians experience the full force of the impact during a collision.
A range of factors can contribute to a pedestrian accident. Crosswalks are common locations for this type of crash. However, pedestrians can get hurt in other areas that vehicles frequent. Parking lots, school zones, and intersections are other locations where pedestrian accidents occur.
At Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, we know the uphill battle you face after a pedestrian accident. The injuries are often severe and require medical treatment. You might be in pain and can’t return to work. The bills you receive are likely expensive and cause financial strain. Many people can’t afford the costs they incur following a collision. It could lead to debt when you’re attempting to heal your injury.
You don’t have to take on the responsibility of a personal injury case alone. The St. Petersburg pedestrian accident lawyers of Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers have extensive experience and skills in handling these legal matters. We will guide you through the process and help you fight for justice. Our team is ready to protect your rights and aggressively seek the maximum compensation you deserve.
For a free consultation, call Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers today at (727) 605-1100 or contact us online. We’re available 24/7, so you can reach us whenever you need us.
Common Types of Pedestrian Accidents
Different types of accidents involving pedestrians can happen. The most common types of pedestrian accidents include:
- Right-turn accidents – A driver approaching an intersection at a red light must stop and allow others to proceed. If they complete their intended right turn without checking for crossing pedestrians, they could run someone over with their car.
- Backing up accidents – Although many people don’t accelerate quickly while backing out of a parking space, this type of accident can cause injuries. A pedestrian walking behind a vehicle could get hit by a driver who isn’t paying attention to the area behind them.
- Crosswalk accidents – A crosswalk is a designated area for people to walk across the road. Under certain circumstances, drivers must slow down or stop for someone waiting to cross the street. A pedestrian could end up in the path of a moving car if the driver ignores the traffic sign or becomes distracted.
- Parking lot accidents – Collisions between vehicles and pedestrians in parking lots are common. Someone might speed through the lot or focus on looking for a parking spot and not notice a pedestrian entering their path.
- Left-turn accidents – Taking a left-hand turn requires knowing and following the right-of-way laws. A pedestrian has the right of way in certain situations and should be allowed to proceed ahead of a driver attempting to turn left.
- Hit and run accidents – A hit and run involves a motorist who leaves the scene of an accident they were in without providing their name, insurance details, or other necessary information to another driver, passenger, or non-occupant who was involved in the crash.
If you sustained an injury in any type of pedestrian accident, reach out to Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers to determine whether you have a case to pursue. We can review the facts and advise you about your available options.
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents often result from human error. Drivers make mistakes that risk the safety and lives of other people on the road. The most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Speeding – Hitting a pedestrian at high speeds can be deadly. Drivers might not have total control of their cars while speeding. It’s more challenging to maneuver out of the way of someone who’s in the middle of the road.
- Driving under the influence – Drugs and alcohol adversely affect a person’s faculties. They can cause a loss of coordination, reduced motor skills, slower reaction time, and the inability to understand traffic signs.
- Distracted driving – Multiple types of distractions can prevent a driver from operating their car safely. Reading an email, eating food, and sending a text are just a few examples of dangerous distractions.
- Failing to yield the right of way – Yielding to pedestrians is crucial. A driver who runs a red light could crash into a pedestrian already in the middle of a crosswalk.
Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers has represented injured pedestrians since 2007. We know what it takes to hold drivers accountable for their actions and recover compensation for our clients. If you sustained an injury in a pedestrian accident for any reason, contact us so we can start working on your case.
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are likely to suffer traumatic injuries in accidents involving motor vehicles. The initial impact of a car against someone’s body isn’t the only problem. The blunt force trauma can cause an injury, but subsequent injuries can occur from contributing factors, such as flying debris.
The most common types of injuries in pedestrian accidents include:
- Road rash
- Loss of limb
- Crush injuries
- Nerve damage
- Pelvic injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Disfigurement
- Permanent scarring
- Broken bones
- Paralysis
- Psychological damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Organ failure
Although severe physical injuries are typical in pedestrian accidents, emotional injuries can also happen. Some victims develop post-traumatic stress disorder because of the traumatizing event or depression due to a disfiguring injury.
Compensation in a Pedestrian Accident Case
Florida is a no-fault car insurance state. That means the injured party must first turn to their own auto insurance for compensation. You can file a claim with your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance carrier even though you were a pedestrian when the accident happened.
State law requires a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage. PIP covers up to 60 percent of the policyholder’s lost wages and 80 percent of necessary and reasonable medical expenses up to the policy limit.
Pedestrian accident victims typically require extensive treatment to heal their injuries. Since many people only purchase the minimum coverage amount, pursuing compensation from another source is usually necessary.
You might be able to file a claim with the negligent driver’s insurance company if your injury meets the serious injury threshold. That means your injury consists in part or in whole of:
- Permanent and significant scarring or disfigurement
- A permanent injury except for scarring or disfigurement
- Significant and permanent loss of an essential bodily function
- Death
The compensation you receive in a liability claim might cover various accident-related losses, such as:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Damage to personal property
You could file a lawsuit, and in addition to compensation for your losses, you could pursue punitive damages. To recover this form of compensation, you must show clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with intentional misconduct or gross negligence.
The results of pedestrian accidents can be deadly. If your loved one died in a pedestrian accident someone else caused, you could recover compensation. The personal representative of your family member’s estate is the only person allowed to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
The compensation you receive could cover losses, such as:
- Loss of earnings, benefits, and wages between the date of the injury and death
- Lost support and services the deceased provided
- The value of earnings and benefits the deceased could have earned and left as part of their estate if they were still alive
- Medical and funeral expenses paid by the estate or a family member
- Mental pain and suffering
- Loss of the deceased parent’s guidance, instruction, and companionship
- Lost protection and companionship the deceased can no longer provide to family members
Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers will review the at-fault party’s insurance coverage to determine the amount of available compensation. We can maximize the value of anyone’s case to secure the best possible financial award. You can count on our legal team to create a strategy to try to reach your desired outcome.
Statute of Limitations on Pedestrian Accidents
In Florida, the statute of limitations allows a four-year period to file a personal injury lawsuit. That means you have four years from the date of the pedestrian accident to initiate your lawsuit against the negligent motorist.
If you want to pursue a wrongful death case, Florida’s statute of limitations provides a two-year timeframe to file suit.
Contact Us
At Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers, our pedestrian accident lawyers in St. Petersburg, FL, will be your advocate and pursue legal action on your behalf. We have a proven track record of success and a reputation for providing quality representation to our clients.
If someone else’s negligent actions caused your injuries in a pedestrian accident, call Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers at (727) 605-1100 for your free consultation. Let us help you hold the driver liable and get on the road to recovery.
