In a matter of seconds, a pedestrian accident can cause life-threatening injuries, tons of injury-related expenses, and a great deal of pain and suffering.
If you’ve been hit by a negligent driver while walking, you can count on a Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyer from The Schiller Kessler Group to provide aggressive, personalized legal care.
We have represented more than 30,000 accident victims since our founding in 2004. Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers have over three decades of experience. Call us for a free consultation.
Understanding Pedestrian Laws in Florida
Like motorists, pedestrians must adhere to Florida law regarding pedestrian safety. Understanding these laws is essential if you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident.
Pedestrian Right of Way
In Florida, pedestrians have the right of way when crossing the street at marked crosswalks and intersections. Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in these areas. However, pedestrians also have a responsibility to exercise caution and use designated crosswalks whenever possible.
Safety Rules
Florida law also requires pedestrians to follow certain rules for their own safety. Pedestrians are not allowed to suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that the driver can’t yield.
Additionally, pedestrians are prohibited from entering or crossing an intersection diagonally unless authorized by traffic control devices.
Our Case Results
$560,000
Slip and fall at supermarket
$500,000
Pedestrian hit while walking
$950,000
Pedestrian struck by car
$1,700,000
Bicyclist struck by car
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Modified Comparative Negligence System in Florida
Florida operates under a modified comparative negligence system. Under this rule, if a pedestrian is partially at fault for an accident, their compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to them. However, if they are found to be more than 50% at fault, they may not recover damages.
Understanding pedestrian laws in Florida plays a key role in establishing liability and determining your legal rights after an accident. Since Florida is a no-fault state, injured pedestrians must first file a PIP claim before pursuing a lawsuit for severe injuries.
Consulting with a Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident attorney can help protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
No matter what time of day it is, you can contact The Schiller Kessler Group to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Are Pedestrian Accidents Common in Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ 2023 Crash Facts reported 1,114 pedestrian crashes in Broward County, resulting in 67 pedestrian fatalities and 965 injuries, marking an increase from 2022.
These accidents highlight the significant risks pedestrians face in Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas, especially with dense traffic and busy streets. If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, our personal injury attorneys can help you secure the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Initiative to Keep Pedestrians Safe
Fort Lauderdale’s Vision Zero Network initiative was launched in response to the high number of pedestrian injuries in the city. With a focus on eliminating traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries, the city is working to improve safety through better lighting on dangerous corridors and addressing unsafe behaviors.
Additionally, the Greater Fort Lauderdale area has a reputation for heavy traffic, particularly on its major roads and highways. With more vehicles on the road, the risk of collisions with pedestrians significantly increases.
The high prevalence of pedestrian accidents in Fort Lauderdale is a cause for concern. These accidents are traumatic, life-changing, and sometimes fatal. Every year, many pedestrians suffer serious injuries or lose their lives due to negligent drivers or dangerous road conditions.
How Do Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accidents Happen?
Fort Lauderdale, unfortunately, has a high prevalence of pedestrian accidents. It’s crucial to understand the common causes behind these accidents to raise awareness and prevent future incidents.
Distracted Driving
One major cause of pedestrian accidents is distracted driving. With the increasing use of smartphones and other electronic devices, at-fault drivers often take their eyes off the road, leading to dangerous situations for pedestrians. Whether it’s texting, making a phone call, or checking social media, distracted driving poses a significant risk.
Speeding
Another common cause is speeding. Broward County’s high traffic volume can lead to frustration, prompting drivers to exceed the speed limit. This form of reckless driving reduces their ability to react to unexpected situations and increases the severity of traffic collisions if they occur.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is also a major contributing factor to pedestrian accidents. Impaired drivers have reduced coordination, judgment, and reaction time, making it much more likely for them to hit pedestrians.
Failure to Yield
Furthermore, failure to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and traffic intersections is a prevalent traffic law violation. Many drivers fail to recognize the right of way for pedestrians, resulting in accidents and injuries.
Poor Road Conditions
Finally, poor infrastructure and inadequate road design contribute to pedestrian accidents. Insufficient crosswalks, poorly placed traffic signals, and a lack of proper lighting can make it challenging for both drivers and pedestrians to navigate the roads safely.
What Types of Injuries are Associated With Pedestrian Accidents?
Pedestrian accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, varying in severity depending on the circumstances of the accident. These injuries can have a significant impact on the lives of the victims and their families.
Some of the most common injuries in pedestrian accidents include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Head injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Cuts and abrasions
- Soft tissue injuries
These injuries can require extensive medical treatment, including surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care. In some cases, the injuries can lead to permanent disabilities and a lifetime of medical expenses.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
It’s important to seek immediate medical attention after a pedestrian accident, even if you don’t feel seriously injured. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent and can worsen over time if left untreated. A thorough medical evaluation will ensure that any injuries are properly diagnosed and treated, giving you the best chance for a full recovery.
Consult With a Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Injury Lawyer as Soon as Possible
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you should also prioritize consulting with a Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyer.
We can assess the extent of your injuries and help you understand your legal rights and options. You can pursue a pedestrian accident claim to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from the accident.
Other Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident
After a pedestrian accident, take immediate action to protect your rights and ensure your well-being. Here are the steps you should take right away:
- Call the police: Contact the local authorities and report the accident. They will create an official accident report, which can be crucial for your insurance claim and any legal proceedings that may follow.
- Gather evidence: If you’re physically able, try to collect as much evidence as possible at the scene. Take photos of the accident scene, including any damage to your vehicle or personal belongings. Get contact information from any witnesses, as their statements may be valuable later on.
- Document your injuries and expenses: Keep track of your injuries, medical care, and any related expenses, such as transportation costs or lost wages. This documentation will help support your claim for compensation later.
Remember, time is of the essence after a pedestrian accident. By taking these steps promptly, our pedestrian accident attorneys in Fort Lauderdale can build a stronger case for compensation.
How a Fort Lauderdale Attorney Can Help You After a Pedestrian Accident
Once a pedestrian accident attorney from our team takes on your case, we’ll handle the entirety of your case, including:
- Collecting important evidence for your claim, such as police reports and medical records
- Communicating with your insurance company
- Identifying the liable party
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary
- Meeting state filing requirements
- Keeping you updated on their progress
- Demanding full compensation for all of your losses
Our team of attorneys can provide the information you need to understand the legal process and have peace of mind while your claim is in progress.
Potentially Liable Parties Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys May Identify
An injury claim after a pedestrian accident requires identifying a liable party. In some pedestrian accidents, multiple parties share liability for accident injuries. Our pedestrian accident attorneys can investigate your case to identify all potentially liable parties, such as:
- Negligent drivers: Motor vehicle drivers have a legal duty of care to follow traffic laws and avoid endangering pedestrians. If a driver was speeding, distracted, or violating traffic rules, they may be held responsible for the accident.
- Vehicle owners: In Florida, vehicle owners may share liability if they allow someone to drive their car negligently.
- Insurance companies: Florida is a no-fault state, meaning injured pedestrians must first file a claim with their personal injury protection (PIP) insurance for medical expenses and lost wages. When traffic accidents result in a serious or permanent injury, the injured party may pursue a personal injury lawsuit for additional damages under Florida Statutes § 627.737.
- Government entities: Poorly maintained roads, malfunctioning traffic signals, or unsafe crosswalks may leave local municipalities liable for accidents.
- Third parties: In some cases, other parties, such as employers of negligent drivers or manufacturers of defective vehicles, may share responsibility. Any accident involving a commercial vehicle has the potential for shared liability among multiple parties.
Our attorneys perform thorough investigations to establish fault and tailor a legal strategy for your personal injury case.
Compensation You Could Receive From a Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Case
The compensation you receive from an insurance claim or lawsuit could cover a number of different economic and non-economic losses, not just your medical costs.
Depending on the details of your pedestrian accident and injuries, you could receive the following damages with the help of a lawyer:
Economic Damages
Economic damages can be used to pay for monetary expenses like medical bills and the cost of ongoing medical treatment.
Pedestrian accident victims can also compensate for work-related setbacks like lost wages and decreases in their earning ability due to long-term or permanent injuries.
Non-economic Damages
Pedestrian accidents can also leave victims with challenges unrelated to their finances. If a reckless driver has struck you with their motor vehicle, you could be dealing with emotional distress, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, physical pain, and even decreased quality of life.
Fortunately, these damages can provide the financial support you need to seek mental health counseling and cope with the pain your injuries are causing.
A pedestrian accident lawyer from our team can assess both your current and ongoing losses to prepare your personal injury claim.
Wrongful Death Damages in Pedestrian Fatalities
Losing a loved one in a pedestrian accident is a heartbreaking experience, and families may have the right to seek justice through a wrongful death lawsuit. Florida law allows the surviving family members of a pedestrian fatality to pursue damages for the financial and emotional losses caused by the accident.
A Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyer can help you recover compensation for:
- Final medical expenses: Costs for emergency care or treatments the pedestrian received before passing.
- Funeral and burial expenses: Reimbursement for necessary end-of-life services.
- Loss of financial support: Compensation for the income and benefits the deceased would have provided.
- Loss of companionship: Emotional damages for the loss of love, guidance, and support that the pedestrian offered their family.
Our personal injury law firm is committed to supporting families after pedestrian fatalities, helping you hold negligent parties accountable and secure the justice your loved one deserves.
How The Schiller Kessler Group Assists Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Victims
After a Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident, dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, especially when they undervalue or deny your claim. At The Schiller Kessler Group, we use our experience to negotiate fair settlements and address unfair practices by insurers.
Our pedestrian collision lawyers in Fort Lauderdale have specific experience that enables us to advocate aggressively on your behalf, such as:
- Knowledge of insurance tactics: Our team includes an attorney with prior experience defending major insurance companies. This insight allows us to anticipate their strategies and build a stronger case on your behalf.
- Skilled negotiation: With a Florida Supreme Court-certified Circuit Civil Mediator on our team, we are highly effective in negotiating settlements and resolving disputes without unnecessary delays.
- Advanced trial experience and multi-jurisdictional capability: Our board-certified attorney in personal injury trial law, who is also federally admitted, brings advanced trial experience and the ability to handle cases that cross state and federal jurisdictions.
The Schiller Kessler Group is dedicated to addressing unfair insurance practices and pursuing the compensation you deserve after a pedestrian accident.
How Long Do You Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit?
If you need to pursue compensation for injuries sustained in a pedestrian accident, knowing how long you have to submit a personal injury lawsuit is important. According to Florida law, you have two years from the accident date to submit a civil suit.
Missing your filing deadline could jeopardize your right to compensation and leave you without the support you need to treat your injuries and manage long-term conditions. Reach out to a pedestrian accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale today to make sure your suit is filed in a timely manner.
Your Case is in Good Hands When You Work With Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale
When you work with the team at The Schiller Kessler Group, you can rest assured that your case is in seasoned hands. Our pedestrian accident attorneys have obtained high-value settlements and verdicts for Florida residents since 2004.
Over the years, we’ve delivered a number of life-changing case results and gained a great deal of experience. We leverage our knowledge, skills, and resources to pursue the compensation you need to return to the quality of life and financial standing you enjoyed before your accident.
We Work on a Contingency Basis
At The Schiller Kessler Group, we understand the financial stress that can follow a pedestrian accident. That’s why we work on a contingency basis. This means you don’t need to worry about upfront costs or payments while we handle your case.
Our approach ensures that we’re fully committed to achieving the best possible outcome for you. You only pay if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.
This arrangement allows you to focus on your recovery while we take care of the legal process.
Let Our Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Handle Your Claim
Contact The Schiller Kessler Group today to take the first step toward the financial remedies you deserve with the help of our Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyer. We provide free, no-obligation consultations at a time that fits your schedule to discuss your case.
Our personal injury lawyers can get started on your case and keep you up to date on the developments. Call us today to get started.
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