Kissimmee Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
According to statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, on average, around 8,000 pedestrians suffer injury every year, and around 700 pedestrians lose their lives in a pedestrian accident. Pedestrian injuries and deaths top 100 annually in Osceola County. Between speeding and drunk driving and the rising rate of distracted driving here and around the country, pedestrians in Kissimmee, Celebration, and Davenport face many dangers when all they are trying to do is walk down the sidewalk or cross the street safely.
Draper Law Office concentrates its practice on helping motor vehicle accident victims in Kissimmee and Osceola County recover compensation for their medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering when they are struck by a drunk, negligent or distracted driver. Among all vehicle injury victims, pedestrians are most at risk for the severest injuries or wrongful death in a collision. Our dedicated Kissimmee pedestrian accident lawyers recognize the costs and challenges pedestrian accident victims and their families have to face. We know how to build a strong case for maximum compensation, and we understand the importance of working closely with our clients to make sure their needs are met. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a pedestrian accident in Kissimmee, Davenport, or Celebration, or if you lost a family member to a pedestrian crash in Osceola County, call Draper Law Office for a confidential consultation to discuss your case.
What Florida Traffic Laws Do Pedestrians (and Drivers) Need to Know?
According to Florida law on pedestrian traffic regulations (Florida Statutes 316.130), pedestrians are required to use sidewalks whenever they are provided unless the sidewalk is blocked by construction or some other obstruction. When there is no sidewalk, pedestrians should walk on the left shoulder of the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic. Walking in the opposite direction of traffic provides the most visibility for drivers and pedestrians.
Pedestrians have the right-of-way while in a crosswalk. Drivers must yield to pedestrians who are in a crosswalk or stepping into the crosswalk by stopping their car and waiting for the pedestrian to cross. Drivers must stay stopped until the pedestrian has crossed to the other half of the roadway. If the pedestrian is on the other half of the roadway and crossing toward the driver’s side of the road, the driver must stop to let the pedestrian cross if the pedestrian is so close to the driver’s side of the roadway that the pedestrian would be in danger from a moving vehicle.
If the intersection does not have a marked crosswalk, or if the pedestrian is crossing in the middle of the street where there is no marked crosswalk, then the pedestrian should yield the right-of-way to vehicles in the street.
How Do Negligent Drivers Cause Pedestrian Accidents in Kissimmee? How Do Pedestrian Accident Claims Work in Florida?
Drivers hit pedestrians when they are not paying enough attention to the road and are not thinking about the possibility that pedestrians might be crossing the street. Reasons for this lack of attention include texting while driving and other distracted driving, driving while intoxicated, and reckless behaviors such as speeding. Common types of pedestrian accidents include:
- Driver runs a red light as pedestrians are stepping into the intersection
- Driver makes a right turn on a red light without checking for pedestrians in the intersection
- Driver stops car inside the crosswalk, forcing pedestrians into traffic to get around the vehicle
- Driver swerves around a car stopped in traffic, not realizing that the car had stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross. This maneuver is not only extremely dangerous and reckless; it is also a clear violation of Florida statutes 316.130.
If you are hit by a car while walking along the road and you have a vehicle in your household covered by Personal Injury Protection (PIP), you can file a no-fault claim with your insurance to get your medical bills paid. PIP pays 80% of your medical expenses and 60% of your lost wages up to $10,000. If you suffer a permanent injury as defined by Florida car accident law, you can also pursue a negligence claim against the at-fault driver and recover the full amount of your medical costs and lost income, as well as pain and suffering damages. The other driver and their insurance might fight back against paying the full amount they owe, but an experienced pedestrian accident attorney can help. At Draper Law Office, we know how to prepare your case for trial and get the insurance company to pay what they owe or take your case to court if necessary to get the best result.
Help Is Available After Pedestrian Accidents in Kissimmee & Osceola County
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Kissimmee, Davenport, Celebration or throughout Osceola County and surrounding areas, call Draper Law Office at 407-846-0075 for a free consultation. We will aggressively and tenaciously pursue your pedestrian accident claim against the reckless or negligent driver responsible for the crash.
