Have you suffered debilitating injuries after being struck by a vehicle? Pedestrian accident injuries can take over your life. Access the compensation you will need to cover your damages by holding the liable party accountable.
Contact a Florida pedestrian accident lawyer at GED Lawyers to learn more about how much your claim could be worth. Schedule your free consultation today to discuss your legal options for financial recovery.
The Impact of Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Florida
Pedestrian accident injuries are often catastrophic. Being struck by a motor vehicle is sure to leave you with injuries that have a lasting impact on your life. Let us know if you have suffered physical trauma, emotional distress, and financial losses as a result of your injuries.
These impairments could leave you and your family in dire financial straits as you attempt to rebuild your life. Fortunately, you have the right to be compensated for every single loss when someone else is at fault for your injuries.
You should not be stuck covering your expenses and dealing with the emotional and physical trauma of what you have been through if another party is to blame. You can make them compensate you for your damages by pursuing insurance and civil claims where applicable.
For a free legal consultation with a pedestrian accidents lawyer serving Florida, call (561) 995-1966
How the Florida Pedestrian Accident Claims Process Works
Understanding how the pedestrian accident claims process works could help you feel more confident in deciding to pursue your case. Once you have reached out to a Florida pedestrian accident attorney for help, you can expect the following:
Investigating Liability
One of our first responsibilities will be investigating the cause of your accident. Although you might assume that the driver who hit you is responsible for causing your injuries, this may not always be the case. In instances where negligence driving causes pedestrian accidents, some of the more common causes include:
- Following too closely and failure to use a turn signal
- Failure to yield to the right of way or stop
- Drunk, distracted, drowsy, or drugged driving
- Aggressive driving and road rage
However, you might be shocked to discover that pedestrian accidents are not only caused by negligent drivers. In some cases, there are several other parties who could share liability for your injuries. For example, if hazardous roads for defective auto parts cause your accident, some of the parties who could be held accountable include:
- Vehicle parts designers, manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers
- Government agencies, officials, and municipalities
- Maintenance technicians and safety inspectors
- Vehicle dealerships
Your attorneys in-depth investigation into the cause of your pedestrian accident injuries will uncover who is at fault for your damages.
Evidence to Support the Claim
To prove your case, your attorney will need to present evidence that shows the jury the defendant is more than likely at fault for your injuries. This is because the burden of proof and civil claims is based on a preponderance of the evidence.
Some examples of the types of evidence that could be used to prove fault in a pedestrian accident claim include:
- Police reports and accident reports
- Safety inspection logs and reports
- Reports from accident and injury reconstructionists
- Cell phone records and chemical blood alcohol test results
- Photos of your injuries, the accident scene, and property damages
- Financial records, bank statements, bills, quotes, and receipts
- Eyewitness statements and expert testimony
Determining the Value Of Your Pedestrian Accident Case
Once your lawyer has the evidence to build a case against the liable party, we need to calculate the value of your claim so we know how much to request. To determine how much your claim is worth, your attorney will need to closely examine all of the ways your life has been affected by your injuries.
You have the right to be compensated for compensatory damages. This includes both economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages are fixed and have financial values while non-economic damages do not have any monetary worth.
However, you can still be compensated for them when your attorney quantifies that based on their impact on your life. With that in mind, some of the more common types of damages awarded in pedestrian accident claims include:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Loss of consortium
- Property damages
- Current and future medical expenses
- Skin scarring
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of future potential earnings
You could also be awarded punitive damages if the courts find the defendants actions abhorrent or grossly negligent. But remember, punitive damages are not a loss you are entitled to recover. They are the court system’s opportunity to punish the defendant and send a message to the community.
Filing an Insurance Claim
One of the top ways pedestrian accident victims recover compensation for their damages is by filing a claim with the insurance company. Since Florida is a no-fault state, you can file a claim with your own insurance company when you were involved in an accident.
This is true without regard to liability. However, dealing with the insurance company is unlikely to be easy. The insurance company will look for chances to reduce your claim or deny you your right to compensation altogether. Have your attorney handle negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf.
Bringing Your Case to Court
If an insurance settlement does not adequately meet your needs, bringing your case to trial may be the best way for you to recover maximum compensation for your damages. Your lawyer will not be afraid to bring your case to court if it means holding the liable party accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Your time is limited, though, as you only have four years to pursue legal action per Florida Statutes § 95.11. This means that you have four years to seek compensation, after that the legal process will be hard to get through. Act now to get the compensation you deserve.
Florida Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me (561) 995-1966
Contact a Florida Pedestrian Accident Attorney for Help Today
Pedestrians often suffer life-threatening injuries when they are hit by motor vehicles. When your life has been significantly affected by your injuries, you have the right to be compensated for every loss.
Get help accessing the compensation that is rightfully yours when you meet with a Florida pedestrian accident lawyer at GED Lawyers. Our firm is proud to offer no-cost, risk-free consultations to pedestrian accident victims across the state of Florida. Take advantage of this opportunity by filling out our convenient contact form or calling our office for a free consultation.
Call or text (561) 995-1966 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
