Every two hours in the United States, a pedestrian is killed due to a traffic collision. While pedestrian accidents can happen to anyone, or any age, in the state of Florida, elderly individuals are especially vulnerable. Pedestrians who are over the age of 70 are twice as likely to be killed in a pedestrian accident than those who are under the age of 70.
If you suffer an injury as a pedestrian, anywhere in the state of Florida, and it is a negligent driver who is responsible for your accident and subsequent injury, then you have the right to receive full reimbursement for your medical care and any accident related expenses that arise.
What to Do After Being Involved in a Pedestrian Accident?
If you suffer an injury as a pedestrian in the state of Florida, you need to contact the police immediately. Also, take pictures of the accident scene, as well as the car that hit you. If there are witnesses around, make sure to gather their names and contact information and contact your insurance company to let them know what happened. It is a good idea to get the driver’s name, contact information, insurance information and license information, if possible. The police are going to question you (the victim), the driver, and any witnesses to figure out who was at fault. In some cases, the police will determine who is at fault on-site, but in other situations they will conduct a full investigation to make a finding later.
Seeking Medical Treatment After Pedestrian Accidents: What May Happen if You Don’t
It is important that you don’t wait to seek medical attention. If you don’t do this directly after a pedestrian accident occurs, then the at-fault driver’s insurance company may assume that your injuries occurred before the accident, or that you did not suffer an injury because of the accident. If you do not seek immediate medical attention after a pedestrian accident, then the insurance adjuster may assume you weren’t really injured.
Some of the most common injuries that occur in pedestrian accidents include:
- Fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Covering the Cost of Medical Bills After Pedestrian Accidents
If you are injured in a pedestrian accident, there are several factors that will impact who pays the medical bills and other accident-related expenses. Florida is a no-fault state, which means the driver’s insurance company will pay all or some of the victim’s costs. If the injury doesn’t occur in a no-fault state, then the health insurer of the pedestrian will typically pay the medical bills.
If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident and need help recovering the compensation you deserve, contact our team of attorneys at Fetterman & Associates by calling 561-845-2510.
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