Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Homestead, FL
Accidents involving pedestrians almost always result in injuries to the pedestrian and less so to the driver. Homestead is a lively town with lots of outdoor activities and attractions. With many pedestrians walking, skating, jogging, and sitting at various public spaces, careless driving in the midst of such crowds can result in devastating accidents and injuries. Even the slightest of irresponsible conduct can lead to serious accidents, resulting in personal injuries such as head trauma, spinal cord damage, broken bones, and even long-term disability.
Florida statutes state that pedestrians should be careful while using the roads and that they should look out for and obey all the traffic control devices. However, these laws do not place all the responsibility for safe public road usage on pedestrians. Vehicle drivers are instructed to follow the same laws – to watch out for pedestrians and to avoid placing them in danger.
The Frequency of Pedestrian Accidents
It is very unfortunate for pedestrians that drivers do not always – knowingly or unknowingly – follow these laws and statues. According to Smart Growth America’s Dangerous by Design Report, Miami-Dade County, including Homestead, are one of the most dangerous places to live in terms of pedestrian accidents. The most distressing part of this is that most of these accidents are not always the fault of the pedestrians; rather, it is often because of the recklessness and negligence of drivers.
As per the statistics of the report, Miami-Dade County had the highest number of pedestrian accident cases. The report points out that that between 2008 and 2017, the Pedestrian Danger Index of Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, which was among the deadliest areas in the area, was the highest at 153.5 out of a total of 1,549 pedestrian accidents. Furthermore, 25% of these accidents are hit-and-run, a fact that makes it that much more difficult to file, pursue, and win a pedestrian accident case.
The Risks Involved in Pedestrian Accidents
The physical injuries sustained by victims of pedestrian accidents are not the only adverse ordeal they have to go through. There are other damages beyond trauma, such as the loss of past and future wages, a loss in the enjoyment of life, reduced earning capacity, disfigurement, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. These accidents can also cost you a great deal in financial terms, because settling medical bills and taking care of an injured loved one can take a long time – and can take a great deal of time as well, meaning you will likely suffer work performance issues and face higher home care or child care costs.
Why You Need the Help of a Legal Professional
While most victims of pedestrian accidents impulsively and instinctively seek compensation from the driver of the vehicle in question, other persons or entities can also be held legally responsible for paying compensation and damages. These people and entities include the insurance company and the employer of the driver if the driver was performing job-related work when the accident occurred or a vehicle manufacturer if the accident was the result of a mechanical malfunction that the driver or his/her company should have been aware of.
You may also be able, if circumstances require it, to prove that the driver in question was driving under the influence, was texting while driving, or was drowsy or fatigued while driving in order to build your pedestrian accident case. Our team of pedestrian accident lawyers will help you identify everyone responsible and file the right kind of claim for your case.
Additionally, while the injuries and suffering that the accident causes you will earn you the judge’s and jury’s sympathy, we will make sure to help you identify every possible claim you can make. The compensation you are entitled to file for will depend on the extent and seriousness of your injuries, and if they are serious, you might be able to up file for punitive compensation as well. If the physical injuries are not very serious, there are several other claims that you can go for, as outlined below.
What Claims Can You Make?
Monetary compensation – If you are a victim of a pedestrian accident, our professional Homestead pedestrian accident lawyers can help you file a claim for monetary compensation from all legally-responsible parties. Compensation will be sought to cover medical bills, therapy sessions, and wages you have lost and will lose while still in recovery.
Subjective compensation – Apart from monetary losses, victims can also be compensated for emotional trauma and loss of enjoyment of life, among others.
Punitive damages – Besides the compensations paid for injury and loss, a judge can also punish a reckless and negligent driver with a punitive damages claim, which a lawyer can help you establish.
While the compensation will not remove all the emotional trauma caused by the accident, it will help with settling medical bills, cover surgeries and therapy, and help keep you financially stable while you rest at home without working during recovery.
Contact Us Today
With years of experience handling pedestrian accident cases, we can help you file a claim, gather the evidence needed to prove negligence on the part of other involved parties, negotiate with insurance companies, and litigate in court should your claim go all the way to a judge and jury. Call now for a free, no-obligation consultation at 305-928-2909.