Personal Injury Attorneys at Fetterman & Associates, PA have over 40 years Experience working with victims of pedestrian accidents.
West Palm beach pedestrians accident lawyers from Fetterman & Associates PA represent pedestrians who have been injured by motorists.
According to statistics compiled by the Florida DMV, each year in the state there are approximately 8,000 pedestrian accidents that involve motor vehicles and over 500 deaths resulting from those accidents.
Motor Vehicle Versus Pedestrian Accident in West Palm Beach
Ironically, pedestrians are most often injured in a place that is specifically designated to ensure their safety: crosswalks. When a pedestrian enters a crosswalk, they have the right of way.
However, that right of way does not guarantee safe passage, and pedestrian accidents most often occur in these areas when drivers are engaging in negligent behavior.
Drivers who are distracted or inattentive, texting while driving, driving aggressively and trying to beat a red light, intoxicated, or in some other manner negligent, are responsible for the injuries that they inflict on pedestrians.
When it comes to the force of a motor vehicle that is moving down the road and the mass of a pedestrian body, the winner when these two meet in a crosswalk will always be the motor vehicle.
The results of such a collision can completely change a person’s life, as a pedestrian may be permanently disabled or even suffer death in such accidents.
Pedestrian Accident FAQs:
Recoverable Damages if hit by a car
The damages in many pedestrian accidents exceed those that are commonly covered by Florida’s no-fault insurance statues.
All Florida motorists must carry a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection insurance and another $10,000 to cover property damage liability.
If you are seriously injured in a manner that requires extensive medical treatment and includes permanent, disfiguring, or disabling injuries, then you may bring a personal injury claim to a Florida courtroom due to the fact that Florida’s no-fault insurance laws include a qualitative threshold that allows for such lawsuits
Plaintiffs may recover for medical expenses and lost wages, as well as for pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of earning potential, rehabilitative services, and other expenses.
If the court finds that the driver was willful, malicious, or purposeful in attempting to cause injury to the plaintiff, then the injured party may sue for punitive damages. In essence, this form of compensation is designed to punish the defendant for their wrongful behavior.
If You Are Injured in a Pedestrian Accident
If you are the victim of a pedestrian accident, it is important that you document what has occurred and should contact pedestrian accident attorneys in West palm Beach and Port St. Lucie.
Proper procedure if you are injured involves calling 911, ensuring the police arrive, having someone document the accident scene with video and still images, as well as getting the names and contact information of witnesses.
The police will investigate the accident and file a report, which will be useful if you pursue a personal injury suit.
If a Driver Hits a Pedestrian, Is the Driver Always at Fault?
If you are injured, it is also important to have such injuries documented as soon as possible. Obviously, if your injuries are critical, you will need to be taken to the hospital immediately.
However, if you are injured in any manner, it is always best to seek medical attention as soon as possible and have your injuries documented at a hospital by an attending physician.
Common injuries in serious pedestrian accidents include:
- Head and brain trauma
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and compound fractures
- Lacerations
- Internal injuries
Often, pedestrian accidents involve a range of injuries, and depending on the speed of the vehicle, point of impact, and reaction of the driver and pedestrian, such injuries can completely alter one’s life. Long term and permanent disability are a reality of these situations.
West Palm Beach Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you are the victim this year of one of Florida’s over 500 pedestrian accidents, contact the West Palm Beach Pedestrian Accident Lawyerat Fetterman & Associates, PA.
Our Florida personal injury lawyers and staff are experienced and knowledgeable about this specific area of personal injury law, and we have been successful in pursuing claims and either settling out of court or winning a positive outcome in court. Contact us at 561-845-2510, and we will be your advocate for justice.
