Pembroke Pines Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

In a traffic accident, those on foot face far more dire consequences than those protected by an automobile. Being exposed on the road means the impact and injuries pedestrians experience are likely to be life-threatening or fatal. If you were traveling on foot when a motor vehicle you, someone should be held responsible. 

A Pembroke Pines pedestrian accident lawyer at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers can help you file a claim for compensation from the at-fault party. You may be able to recover money for your medical expenses and physical and emotional injuries that have altered your life. Our personal injury law firm can provide a free case evaluation to answer your legal questions. 

Types of Recoverable Compensation in a Pembroke Pines Pedestrian Accident

You can seek compensation for the financial and non-financial losses you’ve suffered in your accident. Being struck by a car while on foot is likely to result in extensive medical expenses and time off work, amongst many other challenges. You may be eligible to recover damages for financial losses such as:

• Current and future medical bills
• Lost W-2 or self-employment income 
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Property damage
• Transportation and other travel expenses
• Medical equipment, such as crutches, wheelchairs, or canes 
• Services you can no longer perform (cleaning the house, grocery shopping, mowing the lawn, etc.)

Recovering Pain and Suffering Damages

Under certain conditions, you may also recover damages for pain and suffering, which are not directly related to money. Your pain and suffering could be physical and/or psychological.

Damages in this category are referred to as non-economic. You may be entitled to collect compensation for severe or permanent physical, psychological, or emotional injuries, such as:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck injuries
• Organ damage
• Damaged nerves
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Lost limbs
• Burns, scars, or disfigurement 
• Fear or anxiety over walking down the street or on busy roads 
• Depression
• Insomnia 
• Psychological disorders
• Diminished quality of life
• Shame or humiliation

A Victim’s Family May Recover Damages in a Wrongful Death Claim

If a loved one died in a pedestrian accident in Pembroke Pines, you and your family may be able to receive financial compensation in a wrongful death claim. This compensation can help cover the tangible costs of a funeral, burial, lost income, or loss of services, as well as intangible losses, such as loss of companionship, loss of guidance, loss of protection, and loss of care. 

A Pembroke Pines pedestrian accident lawyer can help you file a wrongful death claim for the money you and your family are entitled to and the justice your loved one deserves. 

How Can an Injured Pedestrian Recover Compensation?

Florida Statutes § 627.7407 requires all drivers to carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. PIP insurance covers the policyholder in accidents, regardless of fault. If you or anyone in your household has PIP insurance, it can help cover your medical expenses if a car strikes you.

In Florida, PIP covers up to 80% of your medical expenses and up to 60% of your lost wages, up to your policy limits. It also provides compensation for essential replacement services. Filing a claim with your PIP insurance is always the first course of action in recovering compensation after a pedestrian accident in Florida.

If the driver who struck you has bodily injury liability insurance, you may also be able to file a claim with their insurance for additional damages not covered by your PIP policy.

Filing a Lawsuit Against the Driver Who Struck You

If insurance coverage is not an option in your case or the applicable policies are insufficient to cover your needs, you may choose to sue the negligent driver in court. If you win your case, the driver may be personally responsible for covering your economic and non-economic damages. 

Other Parties May Have Played a Part in Your Pembroke Pines Pedestrian Accident

Additional parties beyond the vehicle driver may have played a role in your accident. For example, if the at-fault driver was working at the time or driving a company car, their employer may be liable for damages. Defective car parts, malfunctioning equipment, or a negligent mechanic could also be to blame for your injuries. 

Your Pembroke Pines pedestrian accident attorney will look into all viable possibilities for the source of the accident and hold the liable parties accountable. 

Florida Named Most Dangerous State for Pedestrians

Florida was named the most dangerous state for pedestrians in a 2021 report called Dangerous by Design from Smart Growth America, an advocacy group for healthy communities. 

More than 7,000 people were killed in pedestrian accidents throughout the United States in 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC reports that major risk factors in these accidents are:

• Alcohol – The use of alcohol by drivers and pedestrians contributed to 46% of fatal pedestrian accidents in 2019.
• Speed – Speeding increases the likelihood of striking a pedestrian, as the driver is going too fast to either see or react to pedestrians in time to avoid a collision. 
• Location–  Most pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas, away from intersections. Speeding is more likely to occur in these areas, and there are no traffic signals to regulate vehicles or pedestrians. As reported by 7 News, four-way stops can also be dangerous, as drivers may speed past stop signs, hitting bicyclists and pedestrians.
• Time of day – More pedestrian accidents happen at night when there is lower visibility.

Pedestrian Accident Victims in Pembroke Pines don’t Have to Fight Alone

If you or someone you love was injured by a negligent driver while walking, you do not have to suffer the economic consequences alone. A Pembroke Pines pedestrian accident lawyer at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers can help. We will fight for your fair compensation while you focus on your recovery. Call us for a free consultation today.