When a person walks from point A to point B, they don’t expect something devastating to happen, like a serious injury. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and since pedestrians are more vulnerable than others on the road, the injuries they sustain are often severe, especially when involved in collisions with other motorists. If you were injured either on a crosswalk, sidewalk, or otherwise as a pedestrian, please don’t hesitate to contact the skilled Manatee County pedestrian accident lawyers here at Becker & Lindauer, LLC for help.

Pedestrian Accident Lawyers | Representing Injury Victims in Florida

A pedestrian accident can change a victim’s life forever. We understand this, and when you choose our Bradenton personal injury lawyers to represent you, you can have peace of mind, knowing your case is in good hands. Reach out to us today so you can tell us your story.

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in FL

Pedestrian accidents in Florida can occur due to a multitude of reasons, often involving some form of driver negligence. Just some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents that our firm sees are as follows:

Distracted Driving: When drivers are not fully attentive to the road, perhaps due to using a mobile phone or other distractions inside the vehicle, they may fail to notice pedestrians, leading to accidents.
Speeding: Exceeding speed limits or driving too fast for conditions is a leading cause of accidents. High speed reduces a driver’s ability to react in time to avoid a collision with a pedestrian.
Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol and drugs impair a driver’s reaction time, judgment, and overall ability to drive safely, significantly increasing the risk of pedestrian accidents.
Failure to Yield Right of Way: Many pedestrian accidents occur at crosswalks where drivers fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians, as required by law.
Poor Roadway Design: In some cases, accidents are partly caused by issues like poorly designed intersections, inadequate pedestrian crossings, or lack of proper signage.
Weather Conditions: Inclement weather such as heavy rain or fog can reduce visibility and make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians.

Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Pedestrian accidents often result in serious injuries, given the lack of protection compared to motorists. Common injuries include:

Head and Brain Injuries: Including concussions and traumatic brain injuries, which can have long-lasting effects.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Which can lead to paralysis or other severe mobility issues.
Broken Bones: Fractures, especially in the legs, hips, and arms, are common in pedestrian accidents.
Internal Injuries: Such as internal bleeding or damage to internal organs.
Lacerations and Bruises: These injuries, though often less severe, can still require medical attention and cause significant pain.
Psychological Trauma: Many victims suffer from mental and emotional distress, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression following an accident.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

To successfully file a personal injury claim, you and your attorney will have to gather and present one or more critical pieces of evidence to prove that you were injured due to another party’s negligence. For example, if surveillance footage shows a driver speeding, losing control of his vehicle, and colliding with a pedestrian, then the driver will most likely be found at fault for the accident. Aside from surveillance footage, other types of evidence that may be useful in pedestrian accident claims are as follows:

Pictures of the accident or its aftermath
Cell phone records, such as those that may show the driver was texting at the time of the accident
Witness testimony
Toxicology reports, i.e. breathalyzer test results after a pedestrian accident
Medical documentation detailing the origin and extent of the victim’s injuries
Medical bills

If you and your attorney can prove you were injured due to another party’s negligence, you should be eligible for compensation, which can help you recuperate from the economic and non-economic damages you’ve incurred as a result of your accident.

Statute of Limitations

Importantly, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in Florida is two years. This means that accident victims are required to file their personal injury claims within two years of the date the incident occurred. That said, the sooner you speak with our firm, the sooner we can begin fighting for the compensation you need to get back on your feet again.

Contact Our Bradenton Personal Injury Lawyers

The Manatee County pedestrian accident lawyers here at Becker & Lindauer, LLC have fought on behalf of injured pedestrians in Florida for decades, and we are here to fight for you as well. Contact our firm today to schedule your free initial consultation.