The beautiful weather in Florida makes taking a walk a pleasant way for many people in the Sunshine State to get around. Whether it is to run your errands, go to school, or go to work, taking a walk can be the most convenient way to get to where you need to go in Fort Lauderdale if it is not too far away.
The city planners in Fort Lauderdale have done a fantastic job of designing the roads and sidewalks to be safe for people who love to walk around the city. It is understandable to assume that motorists in the city will exercise adequate caution when driving their cars to care for the safety of pedestrians in the city.
Unfortunately, each year, thousands of people suffer severe injuries caused by drivers. Many auto accidents end up causing death. Being hit by a car while walking can leave you with serious injuries if you are unfortunate and wondering what you can do next.
Depending on the speed and weight of the car that struck you, you could end up with permanent injuries from the accident. The medical bills can pile up to an exorbitant amount. The added weight of lost wages due to the time you need to take off from work to recover from your injuries puts insult to your literal injuries. A severe injury to your head or spine could even result in a permanent inability to return to work.
Fortunately, the Sunshine State has measures in place to protect the legal rights of all its citizens, including pedestrians who have been involved in auto accidents. If you or someone you know has been injured in an auto accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you might not need to cover your medical bills out of pocket or through your insurance. Your case might qualify for you to file a third-party claim to seek financial reparations.
Working with experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers can make a world of difference in your chances of becoming financially whole again after your accident. This post will be a guide that informs you about pedestrian accidents in Fort Lauderdale and how you can go about seeking reparations for the losses you’ve incurred.
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Pedestrian Accident Statistics In Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Regardless of all the effort put in by city planners to make Fort Lauderdale a safer city for pedestrians, it ranks as one of the major cities that experience pedestrian deaths in the country.
According to Smart Growth America, the area saw 1,675 pedestrian deaths between 2010 and 2019. The figure translates to 2.8 deaths per 100,000 residents in South Florida, ranking the region at number 13 in the country’s most dangerous metropolitan areas for pedestrians.
Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents
Tragic accidents involving pedestrians are, unfortunately, quite common in Florida, and several of them result in serious injuries, if not death. You should be able to feel safe while walking in your community, but even a few seconds of distraction while driving could be the difference between life and death for pedestrian accident victims.
Some of the most common reasons for pedestrian accidents caused by drivers include:
- Driving under the influence
- Hazardous road conditions
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Drivers who do not obey traffic laws
- Malfunctioning crosswalk signs or traffic lights
Any of these factors alone or several of them combined can change the life of unsuspecting pedestrians who are only going about their day. Whatever the cause, pedestrian accident victims have the option of seeking financial compensation for the losses that they have incurred. Florida’s injury laws allow accident victims to sue the at-fault party to seek reparations.
No-Fault Insurance In Florida
Florida is a no-fault auto insurance state. It means that every motorist must first seek financial help from their own insurance provider if they are involved in an accident. Each Florida motorist is required to carry no-fault insurance called Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. PIP coverage insures drivers involved in auto accidents for up to $10,000, even if the accident was their fault.
If you are a pedestrian who does not drive, you are not required to have PIP coverage. However, you can use PIP coverage if a member of your family has it. However, you might most likely get reparations for the damages through the driver’s PIP coverage.
PIP coverage is the first resource to which all auto accident victims in Florida can turn to for financial assistance. If you are a pedestrian without PIP coverage, the driver’s insurance should cover you – even if you were at fault for the accident as the pedestrian. Unfortunately, most pedestrian injuries end up being quite severe. The driver’s PIP coverage will most likely be inadequate to help you recover the extensive medical bills you have to contend with.
If the injuries you suffered meet the criteria of serious injuries, you can go out of Florida’s no-fault system and file a third-party claim against the driver to get monetary compensation for your injuries.
Working With Experienced Car Accident Lawyers
Many pedestrian accident victims feel hesitant about hiring a lawyer to help them seek financial compensation after an accident. After all, many of them assume that they might not be able to afford one atop the financial losses due to their recovery and lost wages alone.
Fortunately, the most experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers can help you navigate Florida’s complex legal system, become financially whole again, and charge you only if they can win you an adequate settlement from the case.
Securing proper legal counsel can help you protect your rights and secure your financial future by guiding you on the best course of action. An experienced car accident attorney can examine the details of your case and help you determine whether your case qualifies for a third-party claim outside the no-fault system or if you can get financial help through your insurer.
Consider contacting Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers to get in touch with their team of Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers. They can advise you regarding your case, help you understand what to expect, and handle the whole legal process on your behalf.
