Every year, thousands of pedestrians are injured or killed in traffic accidents. In many cases, pedestrian accident victims can recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, contact GOLDLAW to schedule a free consultation to explore your legal options.
Why You Should Hire GOLDLAW
The experienced pedestrian accident attorneys at GOLDLAW can help you seek the justice you deserve.
- We understand the physical and emotional toll these accidents can take, and we will be there to support you.
- We have a proven track record of success in these types of cases, and we will work tirelessly to get you the best possible outcome.
- Dealing with insurance companies can be stressful and confusing. We will take care of that for you.
If you’re looking for experienced pedestrian accident lawyers who will work hard to get you what you or a loved one deserve, you’ve come to the right place. Contact a personal injury lawyer at GOLDLAW today to schedule your free consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a pedestrian accident lawyer serving Port St. Lucie, call 561-222-2222
Meet Founder Craig M. Goldenfarb, Esq.
Craig M. Goldenfarb, Esq. founded GOLDLAW in 2002 and has been leading the firm to success ever since. Goldenfarb currently oversees the daily operations of the firm and works with pre-suit and litigation matters in critical cases. Goldenfarb is committed to excellence has secured millions for his clients, making him an esteemed member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He has been recognized for his accomplishments by his peers, as they have rated him an “AV Preeminent” – the highest level a legal professional can be awarded on Martindale Hubbell. Outside of his legal practice, Goldenfarb is committed to serving his community and has founded a number of local charities including the Emmanual McMiller Scholarship for Higher Education, Heart of the Game, and Hoops 4Heroes. When you work with Goldenfarb and his team, you will receive top-notch representation for your personal injury claim.
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Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Our Port St. Lucie personal injury lawyers see pedestrian accident cases occur in a variety of ways. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Speeding. Speeding is one of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents because drivers who are speeding are less likely to see pedestrians in time to stop and more likely to cause severe injuries if they do hit someone.
- Driving under the influence. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is always dangerous, and it’s especially dangerous when pedestrians are involved. If you were hit by a driver under the influence, you might be able to collect damages from that driver or, in some cases, from the bar or restaurant that served them alcohol before the accident.
- Jaywalking. Crossing the street outside of a crosswalk is one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents. It’s important to remember that even if you were jaywalking when you were hit, the driver might still be at fault if they were not paying attention to the road.
- Poor weather conditions. Poor weather conditions can make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians and can also make it more difficult for drivers to stop in time to avoid an accident.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Information from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles indicates that there were more than 9,500 total pedestrian accidents across the state during the most recent reporting year on file. These incidents led to 835 fatalities and over 1,400 injuries, many of them severe.
Pedestrians simply do not have protection from the force of a vehicle or other type of object slamming into them. Often, an impact with the vehicle also means an impact with the ground, leading to two major impacts that could cause injuries for the pedestrian.
Some of the most common injuries associated with pedestrian collisions include the following:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury (often with paralysis)
- Fractured or dislocated bones
- Whiplash
- Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
- Road rash injuries
- Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
In addition to physical trauma caused by a pedestrian accident, these victims may also experience significant emotional and psychological effects. This can include prolonged feelings of anxiety, fear, and stress, and possibly even symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Damages in a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Florida
If you’ve been hit by a car while walking, you may be wondering what kind of compensation you can recover. You may be able to recover economic damages, which are intended to reimburse you for your financial losses. These can include medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
You may also be able to recover noneconomic damages, which are damages for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These are more difficult to quantify than economic damages, but an experienced Port St. Lucie pedestrian accident lawyer will know how to build a strong case for them.
How Long do You Have to File a Claim?
The state of Florida passed a major tort reform law in 2023 that changed the personal injury statute of limitations. Previously, injury victims had four years from the date an injury occurred to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent party. Now, victims only have two years to file a lawsuit.
If a personal injury victim fails to file a lawsuit in civil court against the other party within two years, they will likely lose the ability to recover any compensation at all. It is important to point out that pedestrian accident victims may only be able to file a lawsuit against another party if their claim rises above the no-fault auto insurance thresholds, including the incident causing a death, a permanent injury, or substantial and permanent scarring or disfigurement or loss of a bodily function.
Steps to Take After a Port St. Lucie Pedestrian Accident
The aftermath of a pedestrian accident in Port St. Lucie and the surrounding areas can be confusing, but there are several steps victims can take soon after the incident and in the days that follow to help preserve the integrity of their claim.
- Seek immediate medical care. Pedestrian accident victims must seek medical treatment at the emergency room or an emergency clinic as soon as possible. It is not uncommon for there to be unseen injuries that show no signs or symptoms right away. Medical professionals can help uncover these unseen injuries and establish a solid timeline between any injury and the pedestrian crash.
- Report the incident. Nearly every vehicle accident, including pedestrian incidents, must be reported to law enforcement officials in Florida. Police officers need to come to the scene to fill out an accident report and write any citations necessary for the incident. In many cases, the police report will document who the law enforcement official thinks is responsible for causing the incident.
- Obtain and preserve evidence. There may be various types of evidence available to the pedestrian accident victim soon after the incident occurs, and in the days and weeks that follow, that should be preserved. At the scene of the incident, it is not uncommon for individuals to take photographs of everything in the area, including property damage and injuries. If there is any video surveillance from nearby cameras, this should be obtained as soon as possible. Importantly, the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses or other parties involved should be written down so they can give statements later.
- Reach out to an attorney. Pedestrian crash victims should reach out to an injury lawyer as soon as possible after the incident occurs. When an attorney gets involved in the claim early, they can help maintain the integrity of the case by handling all communication with other parties involved.
- Continue all medical treatment. Pedestrian accident victims should continue any medical treatment recommended by the doctor until they have reached what is called maximum medical improvement. Any early discontinuation of care against medical advice will be seen as assigned by insurance carriers and other parties that the injuries are not as severe as previously stated. This could jeopardize the final settlement or jury verdict.
- Stay away from social media. We strongly encourage any pedestrian accident victim to refrain from posting about the incident, their injuries, or their recovery process on social media. In fact, it is not a bad idea to remain completely silent on social media until after the final settlement has been awarded. Any statements made online will likely be seen by the opposing party and could be used to argue for paying a lower settlement.
How Will a Port St. Lucie Attorney Help Your Claim?
A skilled pedestrian accident attorney will be essential when it comes to recovering compensation in these cases. A skilled attorney can help a pedestrian accident victim delve through the multiple routes of recovering compensation after these incidents. For example, an attorney can help a victim explore no-fault insurance compensation recovery from their own insurance carrier, and they can also help explore the process of recovering compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance carrier.
This will be particularly important if the pedestrian accident victim does not have auto insurance to turn to or if the incident meets the no-fault auto insurance threshold for filing a personal injury lawsuit against the other party.
An attorney will handle every aspect of the claim, including the following:
- Conducting a thorough investigation into the incident
- Gathering the evidence needed to prove liability
- Handling all communication with other parties involved
- Ensuring their client is evaluated by trusted medical and economic professionals
- Working to negotiate a fair settlement on behalf of their client
- Fully preparing to take the pedestrian accident claim to trial if needed
A Port St. Lucie personal injury lawyer will be your advocate. They handle your claim so you can focus on recovering from your injuries, spending time with your family, and getting back to your day-to-day activities.
