Pedestrian Accident? Everything You Need To Know

The CDC reports that more than 100,000 Americans sustain injuries after being hit by cars each year. Many people are hit while walking down the street without warning, causing serious complications as they try to move forward with their lives.

Were you hit while walking in Florida? Consider filing a personal injury claim against the driver who struck you. You could collect compensation to pay off medical bills, cover lost wages, and even account for pain and suffering.

Here is everything you need to know about personal injury cases that involve pedestrian accidents.

What Are the Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

Pedestrian accidents have increased in many parts of the country, including Florida, in recent years. These crashes are sometimes caused by pedestrians jaywalking, failing to yield the right way, or simply not looking both ways before crossing the street.

But more often than not, pedestrian accidents are caused by negligent and reckless drivers. Here are some ways in which they cause these accidents to occur:

• Speeding
• Fatigue
• Intoxication

Distracted driving has also turned into a huge problem among many American drivers. A recent report suggests over 500 pedestrians are killed each year by distracted drivers. Thousands of others also sustain injuries during pedestrian accidents caused by distracted drivers.

Which Injuries Can Pedestrian Accidents Cause?

Pedestrian accidents are among the most dangerous accidents because people who are hit while walking down the street don’t usually have any safety equipment providing them with protection. They’re very vulnerable at the moment of pedestrian accidents and can sustain so many serious injuries during a collision with a car.

Some common pedestrian accident injuries include:

• Broken bones
• Deep lacerations
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal bleeding

Even if a vehicle isn’t driving that fast when it hits someone while they’re walking, it can still do more damage than you might realize. Many pedestrians sustain some combination of injuries when they’re stuck by vehicles and knocked off their feet.

Who Pays for Pedestrian Accidents?

If you’re ever hit while walking, you might wonder whether or not you should look into filing a personal injury claim. It all depends on the circumstances surrounding your crash.

If you were negligent in the seconds leading up to a pedestrian accident — for example, if you stepped out into the street without looking in an area with no crosswalk — you might not have a strong enough legal case to file a personal injury lawsuit since you were jaywalking. But if you believe the driver who hit you while you were walking is to blame for the crash, you can file a lawsuit against them to recover damages.

Jeffrey R. Davis, P.A., is here to help those hit while walking file lawsuits in Florida. We can put you in the position to collect compensation so you aren’t stuck footing all the bills that come your way in the aftermath of an accident.

Contact us at (305) 577-3777 for a free case evaluation.