Hollywood Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian accidents occur far too frequently on busy Florida streets, often leading to severe or fatal injuries for vulnerable walkers. Sadly, many drivers fail to yield the right-of-way or drive negligently without regard for people legally crossing sidewalks and intersections. You may face massive medical bills, lost wages, disabilities, and pain and suffering through no fault of your own.

If you or a loved one has suffered harm as a pedestrian by a negligent driver, a Hollywood personal injury lawyer can help you seek justice and full compensation. An experienced lawyer will investigate your accident, build a strong claim, handle negotiations with insurance companies, and take the at-fault driver to court if warranted. The sooner you work with a Florida car accident lawyer, the better potential outcome you may see.

Common Injuries from a Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrian accidents frequently lead to severe and potentially disabling trauma. The impact of being struck and thrown by a vehicle can easily result in significant injuries that require extensive, ongoing treatment and rehabilitation. Some common injuries may include the following:

• Fractures
• Head and brain trauma
• Organ damage
• Spinal cord and back injuries
• Emotional and psychological trauma

Recovering from these devastating injuries often necessitates rehabilitation care spanning months or even years. Physical therapy assists in regaining mobility and function following harm such as fractures, spinal cord trauma, or head injuries. However, the psychological toll following a traumatic pedestrian collision also commonly requires extensive counseling and therapy for associated depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Potential Compensation

There are several types of damages pedestrians may recover if injured by a negligent driver. Medical expenses, both immediate and ongoing, can be substantial after severe trauma from a collision. Lost income for missing work and reduced future earnings because of disability are also compensable.

Pain and suffering awards attempt to put a monetary figure on physical discomfort and emotional distress suffered. The severity and permanence of injuries and impairments impact settlements for suffering. Insurance companies may also provide sums to account for the loss of enjoyment of life if crash victims can no longer participate in favored activities.

Punitive damages may be warranted with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Hollywood if negligence by a driver is found especially reckless or egregious. Though rare, extra sums meant to punish malicious wrongdoers serve as a motivation for motorists to act responsibly behind the wheel. These punitive damages not only serve as a deterrent for the individual offender but also send a strong message to the wider community about the serious consequences of reckless driving.

Types of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, but some of the most common causes involve distracted driving, driving while impaired, and speeding. These negligent driving behaviors greatly endanger pedestrians trying to walk safely near active roadways. Some of the most common types of pedestrian accidents are the following:

Distracted Driving

Using cell phones, adjusting music players, or attending to children while driving diverts attention from the road. This delayed reaction time gives pedestrians little chance to protect themselves from an oncoming vehicle. Distracted drivers cause thousands of pedestrian injuries yearly due to failure to brake upon approach.

Even attentive motorists can lose sight of pedestrians at crosswalks if sun glare obscures vision for a moment. Even when sun glare temporarily impairs visibility, drivers must proceed with added caution through intersections rather than continuing on without concern for pedestrians who have the right-of-way. Glaring light is never an acceptable excuse for failing to take proper precautions and striking walkers crossing legally in crosswalks.

Civil lawsuits may also help you recover financial compensation. Damages can include current and future medical bills, lost income, and awards for pain, suffering, and loss of mobility or abilities. The legal system provides important potential financial resources when facing long recoveries and permanent disability from negligent driving behaviors.

Drunk Driving

Drunk drivers with slowed reactions often cannot coordinate braking and steering well enough to avoid pedestrians properly. Swerving erratically onto sidewalks or median strips turns vehicles into uncontrolled, unpredictable hazards for pedestrians. According to the CDC, about 49% of pedestrian accidents resulting in death were because of a drunk driver.

Bars and restaurants may share liability for serving past the point of extreme intoxication. You can possibly include these establishments in claims or lawsuits. You may be able to include them in your claim as you seek medical reimbursement and other damages from the at-fault business indirectly involved.

The choice to drink and drive threatens lives unnecessarily. However, pursuing legal action against responsible parties affords the best opportunity for you to possibly recover and meet significant medical and life expenses in the aftermath. A lawyer can help you figure out your rights for your specific situation.

Speeding

Higher vehicle speeds dramatically reduce pedestrian survival rates when collisions occur. Speeds over 20 mph rapidly escalate the force of impact, even if drivers brake at the last moment. This velocity prevents avoidance maneuvers and often throws pedestrians significant distances, causing critical secondary collisions.

Speed limits and other traffic calming measures must be adapted for areas with significant pedestrian traffic to improve safety. However, drivers must deliberately choose safe speeds for conditions regardless of posted limits. Speeding demonstrates a willful disregard for pedestrian vulnerability and constitutes grounds for reckless driving charges in injuries.

Excess speed leaves little or no time for pedestrians or drivers to prevent a tragedy. By choosing to drive above-posted speed limits, drivers accept increased responsibility for any harm caused to pedestrians. You can face tremendously difficult recoveries from injuries sustained because of speeding drivers.

Why a Police Report Is So Important

A thorough police report establishes key evidence on causes and responsibility for pedestrian collisions. Officers record statements, observe injuries/damages, take measurements, and may access camera footage. The report creates an official record of vital details that may fade over time.

Seeking medical care and legal help quickly preserves the opportunity to document injuries while still fresh. Not realizing the extent of trauma immediately or failing to portray the true severity to doctors can negatively impact later claims. During stress after accidents, important things are forgotten if not written down.

Police reports can resolve insurance disputes over fault and liability. Facts on the report support victim claims if drivers provide false information to their insurance company after pedestrian crashes. Obtaining a police report early on may protect you later on if the driver tries to avoid blame by altering their version of events after the actual collision.

Work with a Hollywood Pedestrian Accident Attorney

If you have been injured as a pedestrian in the Hollywood area, a pedestrian accident attorney in Hollywood has the experience to build the strongest case possible for potential compensation for your injuries. Contact our law office today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options with our team.