Pedestrian accidents are common occurrences in most places, and when St. Petersburg accidents happen, the drivers are at fault in most cases. Motorists often neglect people on the sidewalk and don’t slow down their vehicles in high-traffic areas, which often results in pedestrian accidents. A pedestrian accident lawyer St Petersburg knows what steps you should take next, so read more to hear from ours!
Suppose you have suffered a pedestrian accident. In that case, you have the right to claim compensation for your injuries if you were hurt in an accident involving a car, motorcycle, truck, or SUV. Major insurance providers rarely make the claims procedure simple; getting the total monetary compensation you are entitled to is not that simple. Therefore, you should get help from an expert pedestrian accident lawyer St Petersburg. At the Coleman Law Group, our attorneys can assist you in trying to obtain a fair settlement amount.
Statistics About Pedestrian Accidents in Florida
- For pedestrians, South Florida is the 13th most dangerous area
- In the first six months of 2021, there was an increase of nearly 21% in pedestrian fatalities in Florida
- A total of 5,893 pedestrian accidents happened in Florida as per the data collected between 2010 and 2019
How is a Pedestrian Accident Different?
In an auto accident, the vehicle’s body and other safety gear help protect the passengers against serious injuries. The same is valid with motorcycle collisions, as most riders wear helmets to protect themselves. A pedestrian accident lawyer St Petersburg will always recommend that you stay as far away from the road as possible, since you are lacking the protective gear that other motorists wear.
On the other hand, in a collision involving a pedestrian, no safety gear protects the body, and they usually result in serious injuries or even death.
Things to Know About Pedestrian Accidents
- Usually, older people and children are more vulnerable to pedestrian accidents.
- The chances of pedestrian collisions are high in the dark.
- The holiday season is dangerous for pedestrians.
- According to The National Traffic Safety Administration’s Crash Report Sampling System (CRSS) report, pedestrians are 50% more likely to die (due to collision) on Halloween.
Types of Injuries
Pedestrian accidents can lead to life-changing injuries, even if they were hit by a vehicle at low speed. Most common injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe brain injuries
- Soft tissue harm
- Deep cuts and scrapes
- Bone fractures
Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Drunk driving
An individual who drives the vehicle under the influence of liquor or other drugs may face serious criminal charges. However, if a culprit is acquitted, still, there can be some civil liabilities as a civil lawsuit is different from a criminal case.
Distracted driver
Negligent drivers usually take their minds and eyes off the roadway, which results in tragic consequences. Using mobile phones is one of the most common distractions in modern times. Other distractions include conversing with other passengers, eating, drinking, smoking, etc.
Bad weather
It is possible that some offenders blame their collision on weather conditions such as rain, snow, or even darkness. Still, the driver constantly must adjust their speed as per the weather conditions.
Speeding
For the past few decades, most road accidents have happened due to over speeding. If the speed is high, the chances of hitting the pedestrians are high because there’s no assurance that you will get sufficient time to adjust the rate if the pedestrians are crossing the road.
Road Construction
Sometimes, the main culprit behind a severe pedestrian road accident is progressing road construction. Road construction blocks the normal road operations and generates inconveniences– forcing people to walk in areas where drivers are not expecting them to be , eventually leading to unwanted road collisions.
Multi-Lane/Arterial Roads
The average total injury accident crash rate of a multi-lane road is often higher than on normal roads. The reason is that multi-lane roads are dangerous for pedestrians due to their larger span and curvy turns. Therefore, one needs to consider multiple things when driving on an arterial highway, from drivers changing lanes to the vehicle at high speed and making unsafe turns, which sometimes leads to accidents.
Going Unconscious
There are times when drivers go unconscious all of a sudden. This can happen due to mental stress, insomnia, continued driving for long hours, headaches, or heart strokes.
Left-hand turns
These types of turns have always been deadly, leading to severe injuries and damage. More than anything else, left-hand turns have become the most common reason for most road accidents. According to studies, the number of people getting hit by cars turning left is three times more than when cars turn right. Why? Drivers distribute their focus to multiple hazards, including traffic lights, other vehicles, blind spots, and forgetting to look for pedestrians.
Fail to control speed in school zones
Schools and hospitals are the premises where you have to be a bit extra careful and at a slow pace while crossing. However, some drivers deliberately and negligently ignore the speed restrictions set by law or that a school zone requires to provide safe and secure roads for children and other pedestrians.
What Compensation Should you Expect?
Regarding pedestrian accidents in St. Petersburg, several fault laws in Florida will play a crucial role in the litigation and settlement negotiation process. Injured pedestrians can feel relieved that our experienced pedestrian accident lawyer St Petersburg will support you through every step as we seek to get rightful compensation for you. You can seek compensation for the following:
· Medical expenses
· Lost wages
· Pain and suffering
· Loss of earning capacity
· Emotional/psychological suffering
· Personal property damage
· Loss of quality of life
The best way to ensure that you do not miss out on every potential compensation you deserve for your suffering is to work with an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer St Petersburg.
Steps to Follow After a Pedestrian Accident
If you or your loved one got hit by a vehicle on the road, the first thing is to call 911 immediately. In all the chaos and trauma, it is possible not to realize that you have got seriously injured. Be at the scene until paramedics arrive. The team of paramedics will determine whether you should go home or visit the hospital for proper examination and medical care. Moreover, an investigation by the police will also be carried out. The police report can also be a helpful resource to establish the fault of the driver or other involved parties.
If possible, you should also try to obtain the names and contact details of the spectators. Also, if you are not taken to the hospital after the incident, at some point soon, you should visit the hospital on your own for a check-up. It will help determine whether you are in perfect health or have suffered any hidden injuries that require treatment.
In addition, you should not make any statements to anyone on the accident location, such as witnesses or the driver of the vehicle that collided with you. The statements you make might be used against you, affecting your case. Therefore, it’s highly suggested to contact a reputed pedestrian accident lawyer St Petersburg so that they can handle all crucial communications regarding your pedestrian accident case.
Who is Liable?
Pedestrians, as well as drivers, must both abide by the rules and regulations while on the road. The below section focuses on the duties of the driver on the road:
- Be attentive to the surroundings to prevent accidents.
- Do not use the phone while driving.
- Slow down the speed before passing another vehicle stopped on the road to ensure that someone is not crossing the road in front of the stopped vehicle.
How Long Does the Settlement Take?
Every case of an accident is different, so the victim needs to understand that your pedestrian accident lawyer St Petersburg will do whatever it takes to get your fair compensation for your property damages and suffering, be it physical or mental. However, the process may take time. Sometimes it can take months to receive your rightful compensation, but as our client, we will fight for you to receive a fair settlement amount.
What is the Time Frame to Sue?
Strict time limits apply to the Florida lawsuits, including pedestrian accidents and other kinds of Florida litigation. As per Florida’s statutes of limitations, you have four years to bring your claim or settle it in civil court. So, if a vehicle driver hits you on the road, try to claim your compensation as soon as possible. A good pedestrian accident lawyer St Petersburg knows the time frames to sue and can help you make sure you stay within the time frame you need!
Get Assistance from an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer St Petersburg.
Suppose you or your loved one got injured in a pedestrian accident in St Petersburg. In that case, you are likely to have sustained severe injuries that may result in lasting consequences for your health and financial well-being. Our pedestrian accident lawyer St Petersburg at the Coleman Law Group will assist you in trying to get the rightful compensation that you deserve for all your suffering and injuries. Reach us today for a free consultation!
