Pedestrian accidents happen frequently in a state like Florida, which has the highest amount of pedestrian accidents in the United States, as it’s always full of tourists, and so it’s important to be careful. Pedestrians who are involved in vehicle accidents are always at a greater risk of serious injury than drivers and passengers inside the vehicle. This is because the pedestrian has no protection and so their bodies take the full brunt of the impact of a much larger, heavier, harder object colliding into them, and often at a high speed.
If not fatal, injuries can be completely life-changing and lead to medical bills, physical pain, mental distress, and more. This is why it may be beneficial to seek financial compensation if you have been in a pedestrian accident that wasn’t your fault.
Our personal injury attorneys have a combined 75 years of experience in dealing with Florida law, and so have the knowledge needed to represent your case and fight for the justice that you may deserve. If you or a loved one have been involved in a pedestrian accident somewhere in Florida, then contact The Law Place today for a free consultation at 941-444-4444.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
While these are not the only possible causes, below are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents that can occur when the driver is at fault:
- Failing to stop at an intersection, red light, or stop sign – At these places, pedestrians are expecting drivers to stop, or at the very least, to slow down, and so may automatically cross into the road before checking that the vehicle actually is, which can then cause an accident.
- Speeding – Drivers who are traveling at an excessive speed are more likely to cause pedestrian accidents. By driving too fast, they reduce the amount of braking time they’d have if a pedestrian happened to cross in front of them, and may also increase the severity of injuries sustained by a pedestrian if they did collide.
- Driving under the influence – Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol and/or drugs is incredibly dangerous, as it reduces a driver’s reaction time and impairs their judgment. This could mean that the driver may not notice a pedestrian, or that they may lose control and swerve onto the sidewalk and into a pedestrian.
- Distracted driving – This is popularly caused by drivers using their electronic devices, eating, adjusting their radio, or even talking to passengers. All of these actions could mean that the driver doesn’t notice people on crosswalks or walking on the sidewalks as they aren’t paying sufficient attention to their surroundings.
- Driving in reverse – When driving in reverse, it can be difficult for drivers to see what is behind them, even if they’re paying proper attention. Even when using mirrors and turning to look out of the rear window, the driver’s view could still be obscured. The introduction of rear cameras in newer vehicles does help prevent these types of accidents, but they’re still common, especially when drivers are attempting to back out of driveways and parking lots.
- Left-hand turns – Left-hand turns are also a main cause of pedestrian accidents as drivers are focused on turning left, often seen as a tricky maneuver, rather than checking for pedestrians.
As mentioned above, these are common causes of pedestrian accidents, but not the only causes. If you have been in a pedestrian accident that was not caused by the causes listed above, then you could still be entitled to compensation if the accident was not your fault.
What Happens If a Pedestrian Caused an Accident?
However, not all pedestrian accidents are the fault of the driver. Pedestrians have legal responsibility for their actions in road accidents, and so sometimes, they can be at fault for the accident, and in which case, may not have grounds to claim compensation. For example, if a pedestrian is hit while jaywalking from between parked cars or crossing the road without looking into oncoming traffic and the driver cannot avoid hitting them, then it’s most likely that the pedestrian will be considered at fault, at least partially. There are, of course, cases where both the drivers and pedestrians acted recklessly and so are both at fault.
Every case is unique, though, and so while it may seem as if the accident was the fault of the pedestrian’s, they may still be able to claim compensation, even if they walked into the road without looking first. To find out if you deserve compensation, contact The Law Place for a free consultation.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. Which Pedestrians Are Most at Risk?
While all pedestrians are at high risk of sustaining severe injuries if they’re involved in a vehicle accident, there are certain groups of pedestrians who are at a higher risk. These are as follows:
- Children – Children are most likely pedestrians to be involved in an accident and thus sustain injuries as they don’t process the risks as much or are as cautious as adults are. Parents are urged to teach their children rules regarding road and traffic safety, as it’s common for them to bolt between parked cars, or fail to look both ways before crossing the street.
- The elderly – Elderly pedestrians have slower reaction times and require a longer time to cross the street safely, and they may be on medications, which could impair their judgment, reaction time, and dexterity. They are also more vulnerable to severe and fatal injuries.
- Intoxicated people – Alcohol and drugs have a significant impact on your judgment when walking, and intoxicated pedestrians are the most likely group to suffer injuries and fatalities in pedestrian accidents.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience The Law Place
Pedestrian accidents can completely turn your life upside down, and so if you have been involved in one, then you may want to seek financial compensation. Our highly skilled personal injury lawyers at The Law Place are fully-equipped and ready to fight for justice for you, so call us today at 941-444-4444 for a free case evaluation. Don’t wait to get help; contact The Law Place now!
