Pedestrian Accidents can Ruin Lives
With Florida's relatively warm climate, one can see pedestrians on any given city street at any time of year. Walking from place to place has proven health benefits, is cost-efficient, and can be a great way to spend time away from the incessant bustle of modern life. Even for those of us who rarely walk as a primary means of transportation, almost all of us are pedestrians at one point or another, even if is just during a walk from your car to the front door of your destination.
The unfortunate reality is that whenever pedestrians and motor vehicles are in close proximity with one another, those on foot are at a risk of sustaining serious bodily injury. When motor vehicles hit pedestrians, the results can be devastating, potentially leaving them with serious medical conditions from which they may never fully recover. As a result, it is imperative that any pedestrian who has been involved in a traffic accident consult with an experienced Clearwater Florida personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to ensure that their legal rights are protected.
What causes pedestrian accidents?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)1, approximately 76,000 pedestrian accidents during 2012. These accidents can occur for a number of reasons but, in order for victims to successfully recover, they must be able to establish that their accident was caused by someone else's negligence. There are many types of driver negligence that can potentially lead to traffic accidents. Some of the most common include the following:
· Speeding · Failure to yield the right of way · Distracted driving · Failure to properly maintain a vehicle · Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs | · Failure to observe traffic signals or stop signs · Driving while excessively fatigued · Not signaling turns · Drag racing · Driving without a valid license |
Of course, there are many other ways that drivers can be negligent, and an experienced personal injury lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation of your accident in order to determine whether any evidence of negligence exists.
What kinds of injuries can result from pedestrian accidents?
Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable people on the road. Not only is the human body no match for a 3,500 pound sedan, it is also much smaller than motorized vehicles and can be extremely difficult to see. As a result, some pedestrian accidents occur when a vehicle is traveling at full speed, potentially causing extremely serious injury. Additionally, pedestrians who are struck by vehicles can also be thrown a significant distance, causing secondary impacts potentially resulting in additional injury. Among the injuries commonly sustained by pedestrians in pedestrian accidents are:
· Broken bones
· Bruises
· Spinal cord injuries
· Crush injuries
· Lacerations
· Amputations
· Concussions
· Soft tissue injuries
· Neurological injuries
These and the other injuries that people can sustain in pedestrian accidents can leave victims with medical expenses easily rising into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Additionally, victims may be unable to work for a significant amount of time, if ever again. Furthermore, the emotional and physical suffering experienced by people involved in pedestrian accidents may be extremely severe and significantly affect their quality of life.
While a settlement or award as a result of a pedestrian accident cannot make it as if the accident never occurred, it can certainly help ensure victims' and their families' financial futures. In addition, it can provide a sense of justice to victims who are understandably confused and angry about the fact that their lives were impacted by someone else's negligent conduct3.
Contact a Clearwater personal injury lawyer today to schedule a free consultation
Anyone who has been injured in a pedestrian accident should retain legal counsel as soon as possible. Call the Dolman Law Group today at 727-451-6900 to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 451-6900
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