Overview: Pedestrian Accidents in Fort Lauderdale, FL
If a pedestrian gets involved in an accident with a motorist, the pedestrian is the one who often sustains the most serious injuries due to the weight of the vehicle and the impact of it against a person’s body. It is common for pedestrians to be ejected into the air when hit by a vehicle on the road. These serious accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries and death. When drivers cause these accidents, there are times when they try to use comparative negligence as a defense mechanism to avoid facing serious penalties and costly settlements.
Understanding Comparative Negligence
The defendant uses comparative negligence in an attempt to put some of the blame on the pedestrian instead of taking sole responsibility for causing the accident. In several states across the country, an injured person may not collect compensation if their injuries were caused by their negligence, even if the driver of the vehicle was negligent at the same time. In some states, the injured person may still receive compensation, but the award amount is usually lowered due to having some fault in the situation. It all depends on where the accident occurs.
How Can Pedestrians Be at Fault?
Over the past several years, there have been more motor vehicle accidents involving pedestrians than usual. One of the reasons it is believed that these accidents are becoming far more common is because people are more distracted than ever before while walking down the road. Some people are looking at their phones because they are on FaceTime, writing a text message, or even trying to see who is calling them. Others may be distracted because they are adjusting the sound on their phones or because they are pulling earbuds out of their bag to put them in their ears. These distractions can cause accidents to happen, even when motorists are driving safely. If someone is crossing the street while texting, they could end up walking across the road when they do not have the right away, causing them to get hit by a passing vehicle.
Deterring Distracted Walking
Due to the dangers associated with distracted walking, there is more of an initiative to educate people about the many reasons why they should not walk while distracted. Some states have already put laws in place when it comes to texting while walking. Just like it is not good to drive while distracted, it is not good to walk while distracted. Further education on the topic can motivate people to be more careful when walking around outside so that they can remain aware of their surroundings and get out of the way of danger if need be.
Getting Legal Help
When a pedestrian is involved in an accident with a motorist and they sustain injuries, speaking with a personal injury lawyer is a must. Even if they are slightly at fault, the driver may be at fault, too. And, that means the injured pedestrian could still receive some compensation for the injuries. The only way for a pedestrian to know if he or she should seek compensation from the driver is to go over the details of the accident with the lawyer who will investigate the situation even further.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Pedestrian Accident Injury Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a pedestrian accident in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lawlor White & Murphey represent clients injured because of burns in Cooper City, Hollywood, Parkland, Sunrise, and throughout Florida. Call 954-525-2345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2211 Davie Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 as well as offices in Pembroke Pines, Weston, Coconut Creek, Pompano Beach, and Plantation.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.