Were you recently injured in a pedestrian accident in Boca Raton, FL? Our experienced Boca Raton pedestrian accident lawyers at Shiner Law Group are ready to help fight for your legal rights and get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (561) 368-3363 to speak with an attorney for a 100% free consultation.
You may be entitled to seek compensation for medical bills, loss of income, pain, and suffering, and more. Contact our Boca Raton, FL law offices to discuss the legal options that might be available to you following your pedestrian accident injuries. The next steps are very important. Let Shiner Law Group help you with your pedestrian accident case today.
Were You Injured In A Pedestrian Accident In Boca Raton?
Collisions between pedestrians and vehicles usually result in serious injuries and even fatalities. Sidewalks, parking lots, crosswalks, and other busy areas are the most common sites for these accidents. If you are struck by a vehicle in Boca Raton and believe you should be compensated for your injuries and damages, it’s recommended that you contact our experienced Boca Raton pedestrian accident lawyer right away.
It’s also beneficial to learn as much as possible about pedestrian accidents, your rights, and how to protect your rights if you are a victim. Keep reading for more information about these accidents and what you should do if you become a victim.
Common Causes of Boca Raton Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents can occur because of many things. Some of the most common reasons include distracted driving and poor roadway designs. Many pedestrians don’t pay attention when crossing the street, as well. In most cases, however, blame is placed on the driver of the vehicle that struck a pedestrian.
Some of the other common causes of these pedestrian accidents include:
Distracted Drivers
Drivers are often distracted by adjusting controls in their vehicle, eating, loud music, phones, passengers, and other things that take their attention away from the road. It’s important to remember it takes just a fraction of a second to strike a pedestrian, which is why you must always remain diligent.
Impaired Drivers
Some drivers get behind the wheel after drinking, using drugs, or even taking prescription medication. While drunk driving accidents are bad enough when two vehicles are involved, pedestrians who are hit by a drunk driver usually suffer life-threatening injuries and death. Also, most drivers who hit someone while impaired leave the accident scene.
Drivers Who Fail to Yield
Some bicyclists, joggers, and walkers are hit after a driver does not yield or stop at an intersection. If a motorist fails to yield the right of way required by state law, they can be held liable for the accident and damages they inflict on someone.
Drivers Turning Left
Sometimes, drivers have a green light at intersections while pedestrians have a walk light. While this can be confusing, the pedestrian always has the right of way in this situation. Unfortunately, left turns are to blame for almost 25% of all pedestrian-vehicle accidents in the U.S.
Drivers Backing Up
A backup accident may occur if a driver reverses and doesn’t see the pedestrian, which causes a collision. This type of accident usually occurs in driveways and parking lots.
Speeding
If a driver is speeding, it reduces their reaction time and increases the amount of time they need to stop their vehicle. If a driver travels over the posted speed limit, they are much more likely to hit pedestrians.
Boca Raton Pedestrians Rights and Responsibilities
Pedestrians in Florida have some basic responsibilities and obligations. One is to use sidewalks if available and stay on the left shoulder, facing oncoming traffic if there is no sidewalk. It’s also recommended that pedestrians avoid abrupt movement that oncoming vehicles can’t adjust for and to follow instructions provided by traffic control devices. Unless someone controlling traffic permits it, make sure to never cut diagonally through traffic.
Some pedestrians become accident victims because of their actions and because they are not paying attention to their surroundings. Common causes of distraction include phones and walking while intoxicated. Others are injured because of their own negligence or carelessness.
If you are struck as a pedestrian, you may be able to recover compensation for medical costs and injuries caused by the willful actions or negligence of a driver if they are blamed for the accident. It’s recommended that you speak to a Boca Raton pedestrian accident attorney to understand your rights in this situation fully.
Driver Liability in Pedestrian Accidents in Boca Raton
Many people believe that drivers are always held liable for pedestrian accidents. However, there are situations where this is not the case.
While this is true, drivers have a responsibility to always operate a vehicle in a way that does not lead to the harm of someone else. For example, weather and road conditions may make it difficult to stop. This means the driver should slow down and pay close attention to their surroundings. In some cases, they should pull over until it is safe to proceed.
There are situations when pedestrians may run in front of a vehicle and suffer serious injuries. The driver cannot anticipate this action in this situation, and they probably won’t have time to stop.
Common Types of Injuries Caused by Boca Raton Pedestrian Accidents
Virtually every time a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle, serious injuries are caused. Our legal services have successfully represented many pedestrian accident victims. These services have also led us to understand what types of injuries are most common in these situations. They include:
Soft Tissue Injuries
After the accident, pedestrians may report soft tissue damage to tendons, ligaments, and muscles in the body. While the injuries are believed to be minor, they can cause pain and suffering, especially in situations when medical treatment has been delayed.
Broken Bones
Some victims of pedestrian collisions experience broken bones and fractures. These injuries are painful and may require surgery to ensure a full recovery.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Head injuries are some of the most common causes of long-term disabilities and fatalities in pedestrian accidents. Some accident victims can recover from this quickly, while others will require ongoing medical treatment and care for the rest of their lives.
Spinal Cord Injury
Because pedestrians aren’t protected by a vehicle, they are more likely to suffer severe injuries. This includes spinal cord injuries, which can cause the loss of bladder or bowel control, issues breathing, and paralysis.
Steps to Take After Being Struck by a Vehicle in Boca Raton
If you are struck by a vehicle, it’s important to take the right steps after the accident. In fact, what you do or don’t do after the accident may impact your ability to recover damages. Some of the steps to take include:
Get Medical Care
After being injured, you must seek medical treatment right away. Never assume that a witness will call medical services for you. The longer you wait to be evaluated by a doctor, the harder it will be to prove the injuries were caused by the accident.
Take Pictures at the Scene
If you aren’t injured severely, take out your phone and capture pictures of the scene. Make sure to include photos of your injuries, the accident scene, and the nearby area. Also, take photos of any property damage. Having photos is the best way to show what happened and who is to blame.
Contact the Authorities
After being hit by a vehicle and suffering injuries, it’s important to contact the authorities. Be sure to provide an accurate and honest description of the accident but avoid accepting blame or fault. The insurance company for the other party will use the police reports to determine liability based on who is cited for the accident.
File an Insurance Claim
Time is critical when you file an insurance claim. In the state of Florida, the statute of limitations to file a lawsuit for a pedestrian accident is two years.
Continue with Prescribed Medical Treatment
To help ensure you make a full recovery and help you with your personal injury claim, it’s necessary to prove you are compliant with the prescribed medical care. Because of this, you need to listen to and follow the advice from your doctor and follow all treatment recommended.
Keep Your Receipts
Make sure you keep track of all accident-related costs. Medical bills will help prove how severe your injuries are. You should also keep documentation of lost wages or other out-of-pocket costs related to the accident to help you prove how much compensation you deserve.
Hire a Boca Raton Pedestrian Accident Attorney Near Me
If you suffer injuries after being struck by a vehicle, it’s best to seek legal advice to determine what you should do. In most cases, you will have a valid claim against the driver who is at fault. Having the help and services of an attorney will help you acquire the compensation you deserve.
What Is Your Boca Raton Pedestrian Accident Claim Worth?
After suffering serious injuries because you were struck by a vehicle, you may wonder how much compensation you will receive. The average settlement amount won’t help you figure out what your case is worth because each case is unique, and several factors impact the compensation you ultimately receive. Most of the factors that impact your settlement are out of your control. The outcome of your legal case depends on the seriousness of your injuries and the expenses you incurred because of the accident.
Tips to Stay Safe as a Pedestrian in Boca Raton
For some, traveling by foot is something they do every day. While walking seems like a safe activity, it can carry some risk when walking near traffic. Even walking in a parking lot can be dangerous.
In fact, pedestrian fatalities accounted for 17% of crash fatalities in the last decade. If you want to avoid becoming part of this statistic, it’s important to implement the following safety tips:
- Obey all traffic signs and follow the rules of the road.
- Use sidewalks if available and walk facing oncoming traffic if no sidewalk is available. Stay as far from the road and traffic as you can.
- Avoid distractions that take your ears or eyes off the road.
- Never jaywalk and only cross roads at intersections and crosswalks.
- Before you cross the road, look twice.
- Attempt to make direct eye contact with drivers coming toward you, so they are sure to see you.
- Increase your visibility by putting on bright colors when walking during the day and reflective clothing when you walk at night.
- Don’t just rely on traffic signals since not all drivers will obey them.
- Stay alert when walking around or in a parking lot.
Seek Help for Your Pedestrian Accident Case in Boca Raton
If you want the best chance of receiving the compensation you deserve after being the victim of a pedestrian accident, be sure to contact our legal team. We have represented accident victims in the area for several years and can provide you with aggressive representation to help you acquire the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.
Our team is dedicated to helping you achieve a full recovery. Contact us today
to schedule a free consultation or to discuss your case. We are here to help.
Boca Raton Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Review
Boca Raton Pedestrian Injury Law Office
Shiner Law Group Accident & Injury Lawyers
7800 Congress Ave #108, Boca Raton, FL 33487
