Legal Options for Injured Pedestrians
As reported by the Orlando Sentinel, a pedestrian died in a recent accident when she was struck by an Orange City Police Department SUV that was responding to an emergency call. Authorities have stated that the unidentified 51-year-old woman was fatally struck while crossing a road at approximately 12:45 a.m. on a recent Monday. The Volusia County resident was reportedly not in a crosswalk when she was hit by the front end of the marked police vehicle which had its lights activated. The 41-year-old driver of the police vehicle was not injured.
Walking outdoors is a popular activity here in the Sunshine State for both residents and visitors alike. However, this simple action can also pose serious risks for pedestrians when they inadvertently come into contact with a car.
How Dangerous is Walking for Pedestrians?
Sadly, statistics indicate that what has always been a risk for those who choose to walk from one destination to another is becoming increasingly dangerous as pedestrian deaths are on the rise. The Governors Highway Safety Administration has published statistics indicating that pedestrian deaths in 2019 were the highest they have been in 30 years. Alarmingly, data suggests an increase of five percent compared to the previous year, equating to just shy of 6600 pedestrians killed last year. This is the highest number since 1988. And sadly, just five states – one of which is Florida – accounted for just under half of pedestrian deaths in 2019 despite the fact that together, these states account for only 33 percent of the U.S. population.
What Legal Options Do Injured Pedestrians Have?
Pedestrians are clearly some of the most vulnerable people traveling along the road these days. While the implications of a collision between a car and a pedestrian can be devastating, a silver lining to this grim prospect is the fact that an injured pedestrian has the legal right to sue for injuries and hold a negligent or reckless driver responsible for his or her wrongful actions. Following injuries being incurred in a pedestrian accident, the victim may have the right under Florida law to obtain compensation through a personal injury claim for:
- Medical bills
- Prescriptions
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
However, even when fault being attributable to someone else seems clear to you as an injured pedestrian, you should understand that obtaining the compensation that you deserve is not always straightforward. You should almost always expect the driver to bring up questions of fault and attempt to shift the blame to you. This is one of the many reasons why obtaining an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible can be beneficial to maximizing your legal rights.
Have You or a Loved One Been Injured?
The results can be disastrous when a car strikes a pedestrian and can include injuries that will forever alter your life. With all you have gone through and the challenges that may lie ahead in your future, you should exercise your right to hold a negligent driver responsible. As the experienced Orlando personal injury attorneys of The Pendas Law Firm, we understand how serious these crashes can be and we have dedicated our careers to serving those who have been injured by the negligence of others. Contact us today.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Miami, Ocala, Tampa, Bradenton, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Daytona Beach areas.
Resource:
cdc.gov/vitalsigns/crash-injuries/index.html
