According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, approximately 401,127 car accidents occurred in 2021.
Florida also recorded 9,552 pedestrian crashes. Pedestrian crashes are accidents involving an individual who is not occupying a motor vehicle, bicycle, or another motorized object. Approximately 847 pedestrian fatalities occurred in Florida in 2021. As you can see, pedestrians in Florida face some risks on the road.
In some cases, you can recover compensation from the at-fault driver if you suffer injuries in a pedestrian accident.
If you or a loved one were involved in a pedestrian accident, an attorney in Pensacola, Florida, can guide you through the steps of filing a personal injury claim.
Contact us online or call (850) 444-4878 today for a free consultation.
What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?
Pedestrian accidents in Pensacola, Florida can occur due to a wide variety of circumstances. Pedestrian accidents are especially common in areas that see lots of pedestrian traffic.
Some common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving,
- Running a stop sign,
- Running a red light,
- Driving while intoxicated,
- Refusing to stop for a pedestrian who has the right of way,
- Failure to observe a crosswalk, or
- Excessive speeding.
If a driver fails to use reasonable care when operating a motor vehicle, they breach their duty to other motorists and pedestrians on the road. If this breach results in harm to another party, the injured party can hold the at-fault driver financially liable for the damages arising out of that harm.
Determining if another driver was negligent is a critical part of proving your personal injury case. Our Florida pedestrian accident lawyers have a thorough understanding of this area of law and use this knowledge to help you get the compensation you need to recover fully.
What Should I Do After a Florida Pedestrian Accident?
The aftermath of a pedestrian accident is often stressful and overwhelming. Unfortunately, you need to take certain steps immediately to ensure your safety and preserve evidence for your case.
Our Pensacola pedestrian accident lawyers will explain what you should know.
Get Medical Attention
Your physical and emotional well-being should be your first priority. If possible, seek medical attention immediately after a pedestrian accident. You need to document your injuries right away. Otherwise, the opposing party might claim that you suffered your injuries in a subsequent and unrelated incident.
Even if you do not notice any readily apparent injuries, you should still get a medical evaluation to ensure you did not suffer any invisible head or other internal injuries. And, of course, if your injuries are life-threatening, contact 9-1-1 to send an ambulance to the scene.
Contact Authorities
After a pedestrian accident, you should contact the authorities and report it. Police will likely respond to the scene and complete an accident report, especially if you suffered injuries in the accident.
The accident report will offer vital information for your personal injury lawsuit, such as:
- Names of involved parties,
- Names of respective insurance companies,
- Contact information,
- Vehicle information, and
- Potential causes of the accident.
The information contained in the report will give our lawyers a starting point for an independent investigation into the accident.
Preserve Evidence
After you contact law enforcement, you can still take your own steps to investigate the scene before the police arrive. You can take photographs of the scene, locate any eyewitnesses to the crash, and gather insurance information from the involved parties. These actions can provide more evidence to help establish your claim.
Contact a Pensacola, FL Pedestrian Accident Law Firm
Once your pedestrian accident is processed and you receive medical attention, you should contact a Pensacola pedestrian accident lawyer. Some people attempt to navigate their own cases to save money.
However, an experienced accident lawyer gives you the best opportunity of securing the maximum settlement amount that you need to pay all your accident-related expenses and move forward with your life.
Injuries Commonly Suffered in a Pedestrian Accident
Injuries in a pedestrian accident can range from minor to extremely severe.
Some common injuries include:
- Internal injuries,
- Bruising,
- Lacerations,
- Head injuries,
- Broken bones,
- Sprained muscles, and
- Road rash.
The severity of your injuries can dictate the size of your personal injury settlement offer. More severe injuries will likely garner higher settlement offers.
Contact a Pensacola Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
Our team of Pensacola pedestrian accident attorneys at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon has decades of combined experience handling personal injury claims. We believe that every personal injury victim has a right to outstanding legal representation. We take our cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you do not pay any legal fees or costs unless there is a settlement.
Whatever your case may be, our pedestrian injury lawyers in Pensacola will handle it with the compassion and dedication it deserves.
Get started today by calling (850) 444-4878 or sending an online message for a free consultation.