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United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Miami Pedestrian Accidents

Florida pedestrian accidents often result in major, if not catastrophic, injuries. Victims of pedestrian accidents face significant medical expenses, loss of wages, hospitalization, and other related costs. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver or a dangerous roadway, please contact a reputed Miami personal injury lawyer to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.

Florida Pedestrian Accidents

According to a Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle report, 530 pedestrians were killed in car accidents that took place in 2007. In 2008, 502 pedestrians were killed in car accidents.

Causes of Miami Pedestrian Accidents

There are many reasons why a driver may fail to avoid a collision with a pedestrian. A skilled personal injury attorney will work with the authorities and investigators to determine why the crash took place. Here are some of the most common causes for pedestrian accidents:

Failure to yield right-of-way: Motor vehicles must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the road at intersections and crosswalks. Drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way or look for pedestrians before entering an intersection may be held liable for the damages they cause.
Excessive speeding: When a motorist is exceeding the speed limit, he or she will have less time to react to pedestrians on the roadway. Motorists are legally required to exercise due caution, especially while approaching a crosswalk or an intersection.
Drunk driving: Alcohol is involved in an alarming number of pedestrian accidents. Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol have an increased chance of running a stop sign or failing to see a pedestrian crossing the road.
Dangerous roadways: Poorly marked crosswalks and intersections can lead to serious pedestrian accidents. In such cases, the governmental agency in charge of the roadway may be held liable for the damages.
Passing accidents: Occur when a careless motorist is unable to observe pedestrians due to a bus or other vehicle stopping to enable pedestrians to cross. In this situation, the careless motorist may hit a person while attempting to pass the stopped vehicle.
Back-up accidents: Happen when a vehicle hits a person while backing up without first checking behind the car, which usually happens in a parking lot.

Steps to Take after a Florida Pedestrian Accident

Victims of pedestrian accidents would be well advised to:

Exchange information with the driver and any witnesses to the crash.
Contact the police and get your side of the story in the report.
Take photos of the site, the damage to the car, and the injuries you suffered
Seek medical attention irrespective of how you “feel” at the time
Call an experienced Miami pedestrian accident attorney

Even if you are hesitant about filing a personal injury lawsuit is the best decision for you. You owe it to yourself to investigate all your legal alternatives. The attorneys at the Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson protect the rights of injured Florida pedestrians. We work to hold negligent drivers accountable for the damages they cause. Let us help you pursue financial compensation for your medical bills, therapy fees, time away from work, and pain and suffering. Please call our law office today to schedule your free consultation.

Miami Personal Injury Attorney Blog - Pedestrian Accident

FAQ’s

How Much is My Case Worth?

This really depends on the nature and severity of the accident, and whether or not the injury is due to the negligence of another party or occurred during the course and scope of employment (workers' compensation). A plaintiff may be able to recover compensation for lost wages, medical expenses future medical expenses, lost profits, future profits...

What Should I Do if I Meet in an Auto Accident?

Immediately seek medical attention of your injuries. Obtain as much information from the other driver(s) as possible, including their name, address, phone number, insurance company, policy number, drivers license and license plate. Be sure to insist that a report is completed by a law enforcement officer and get a copy. You can also take pictures...

When Should I Contact a Personal Injury Attorney After an Accident or Injury?

This depends on how and where the injury occurred. Every State has its own statute of limitations which dictates how long the plaintiff has to file different types of law suits. In Florida, the statute of limitations for a negligence claim is typically four years, with the exception of medical malpractice which is two years from the date of injury...

Under the Workers' Compensation Laws in Florida, How Long Do I Have After an Accident to Report It to My Employer?

If you or someone you love has been injured on the job, first seek medical attention of those injuries. The next step should be to report those injuries to your employer. If you fail to report your injury to your employer within thirty (30) days, then your claim may be denied.

Who is Responsible if I Slip or Trip and Fall on Someone Else’s Property?

A property owner is not always responsible for something on which you slip or trip. This must be analyzed on a case by case basis depending on the cause of the dangerous surface and a careful evaluation of the owner’s knowledge of the hazard and failure to address. This is usually an in depth legal analysis of the “reasonable care of the property”...