Stuart Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
It’s a common misconception that you’re safer as a pedestrian when compared to driving or riding in a car for work, personal errands, and fun. However, data compiled by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles demonstrates that you’re still at risk while on foot. On average, there are around 9,202 pedestrian accidents annually across the state, leading to 653 fatalities and 7,931 injuries every year. These victims suffer considerable losses that affect them physically, financially, and emotionally.
Fortunately, Florida law does provide you with rights if you were injured in a pedestrian accident, and our attorneys at Lesser, Lesser Landy & Smith PLLC are prepared to help enforce them. We have extensive experience in dealing with insurance companies and in court, so you can trust us to handle your claim from start to finish. Please contact our office to set up a free consultation with a Stuart pedestrian accident lawyer today.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Florida
As you might expect, it’s rare that a person on foot is at fault for causing a pedestrian accident. Motorists may engage in careless acts behind the wheel of a car, such as:
- Speeding;
- Failure to yield to a pedestrian;
- Improper turns or lane changes;
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol; or,
- Texting or talking on the phone.
Injured Victims Do Have Rights
Regardless of the specific reasons behind your pedestrian accident, these incidents usually happen because of negligence. You may be able to recover compensation if you can prove:
- The responsible motorist had a duty to drive reasonably carefully;
- He or she breached this duty by not operating the vehicle safely;
- The breach of duty was a direct cause of your pedestrian accident; and,
- You suffered harm from your injuries, including medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Seeking Monetary Damages for Your Losses
In most pedestrian accident cases, you’ll file an insurance claim under the responsible driver’s policy. Dealing with an insurer can be difficult, considering the fact that your claim represents a threat to company profits. Even if you can prove the four elements above, you can expect roadblocks. If you can’t reach an agreement with the insurance company, you’ll have to initiate litigation.
Under the circumstances, experienced counsel is essential to getting the compensation you deserve. A lawyer will advocate on your behalf in dealing with the insurance company, and will aggressively fight for your rights in court.
Discuss Your Claim with a Stuart Pedestrian Accident Attorney
While this overview of collisions involving pedestrians may be helpful, you shouldn’t put your rights at risk by attempting to represent yourself in filing a claim. Take your time to recover from your injuries while our team at Lesser Lesser Landy & Smith PLLC tackles the tough legal issues. Please contact our firm at 772-283-6839 or check out our website to schedule a no-cost case evaluation. We provide solid legal services to clients throughout Martin County and Eastern Florida from our offices in Stuart, FL.
