Pedestrian Accidents in Florida
If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that a human isn’t going to win the battle of car vs. person. Literally thousands of people are injured or killed every year as the result of being hit by vehicles. While bicyclists must follow the same rules as vehicles if they’re actually on the road, they’re still at risk. So, what happens if a person is involved in an accident with a vehicle?
Determining Who’s At Fault
Being hit by a car doesn’t automatically mean you have a case. There are laws you have to follow, too. But don’t assume that just because you made a mistake, the courts will find you at fault. Oftentimes, multiple people are at fault, and it may be possible that you would still get some kind of financial award, though it would be lowered by an amount the court decides is fair based on your role in causing the accident. That said, there are four main ways to determine who’s at fault.
- Who failed to yield the right of way?
- Was either party distracted?
- Did someone ignore traffic laws or crossing signals?
- Was anyone traveling under the influence of alcohol?
- Was anyone engaging in reckless or aggressive behavior?
The specific circumstances of the accident will play a big role in not only deciding who’s at fault, but deciding whether you have a case at all. That’s why it’s important to seek the advice of a qualified Orlando personal injury lawyer (or a lawyer local to you).
Common Injuries
Accidents with a pedestrian should be taken very seriously. Even if the vehicle that hits you is going only 30 miles per hour, you can still suffer severe injuries, like spinal cord or brain injuries, broken bones or teeth or disfigurement (including the need for amputation).
What If You’re Injured?
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an accident with a car, the first step is to contact a personal injury attorney. We work on contingency, which means you won’t pay our legal fees unless and until you get a financial reward.
During your free consultation, one of our lawyers will discuss the facts of the case with you and advise you on the best way to proceed. If you decide to move forward, we’ll represent your interests and do everything we can to help you recover the money you’ll need to pay your medical bills and any other expenses you suffered as a result of the driver’s negligence.
The experienced lawyers at Draper Law Office know this is going to be a difficult time for you as you recover, and we’ll do everything we can to ease that burden by handling as much of your case as we can. If you’re in the Orlando area and need a qualified personal injury lawyer to hand your pedestrian accident case against a negligent driver, contact us or call us at 866-767-4711 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
