Tampa Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Florida

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 5,000 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States in 2015. In addition, more than 125,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency departments after being involved in non-fatal automobile accidents. Nearly half of all fatal pedestrian accidents involved alcohol.

You are more likely to be involved in a pedestrian accident if you are older than 65, younger than 15, or alcohol-impaired. Pedestrian accident fatalities occur most often in urban areas at night. Speed is a common factor in these accidents, leading to more severe injuries.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident due to the recklessness or negligence of a driver on the roadway, you are entitled to compensation. An experienced team of attorneys can assist you in filing a personal injury lawsuit seeking this compensation.

At Dennis A. Lopez & Associates, our team has more than 30 years of experience in personal injury law. We are dedicated to your health and well-being. Call our office at (813) 223-1977 for a free consultation.

Types of Accidents

Common pedestrian accidents include:

• Intersection Accidents – Because intersections are where pedestrians share the roadway with vehicles of all kinds, they can be especially dangerous. Here, when vehicles change lanes or turn without signaling, pedestrians can be seriously injured or killed.
• Hit-and-Run Accidents – These accidents are unfortunately common in the state of Florida. They are caused by drivers who panic after realizing an accident has taken place, fleeing the scene before first responders arrive. Hit-and-run accidents are often fatal to pedestrians.
• Back-Over Accidents – In these accidents, drivers back over a pedestrian while traveling in reverse. While rare, back-over accidents typically involve small children who cannot be seen by the driver. These accidents are common in parking structures and driveways.
• Crushing Accidents – These accidents can occur at intersections or other situations in which a pedestrian is caught in the middle of a rear-end collision, sideswipe accident, or head-on crash. These are the rarest of pedestrian accidents but are often fatal.

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents are frequently caused by negligent drivers. These drivers are often responsible for:

• Distracted Driving
• Speeding
• Disobeying Traffic Signals
• Failure to Signal When Turning
• Disregarding Weather Conditions
• Driving While Intoxicated

The Process of Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

In order to establish negligence in a pedestrian accident lawsuit, you must prove:

• • The defendant owed a legal duty to the plaintiff.
  • The defendant failed to fulfill that legal duty.
  • The defendant caused accident or injury.
  • The plaintiff was harmed as a result.

For example, if a driver fails to signal when turning right and strikes an unsuspecting pedestrian as a result, the driver can be proven negligent in a court of law.

However, when pedestrians ignore signals, enter or disrupt the flow of traffic, fail to use crosswalks, or dart in front of a vehicle, it can be difficult or impossible to prove a driver was negligent.

Protecting Yourself

There are several precautions pedestrians can take to avoid injury or death in motor vehicle accidents, including:

• Carrying a flashlight when walking or traveling at night.
• Wearing retro-reflective clothing.
• Crossing the street at designated crosswalks, when possible.
• Using a sidewalk or pathway.
• Using the shoulder and facing traffic when a sidewalk or pathway is unavailable.

Steps to Take After an Accident

If you are involved or injured in a pedestrian accident, the following steps are essential to your safety and any potential lawsuits you plan to file:

• Step 1: If you feel pressure in your back or neck, do not move.
• Step 2: Contact first responders – including the police.
• Step 3: Do not leave the scene of the accident until assistance has arrived.
• Step 4: Collect the names and contact information of potential witnesses.
• Step 5: Don’t make any statements until you speak with an attorney.