Have You Been In A Florida Pedestrian Accident?
Florida has a reputation as a tourist mecca, but with this influx of people comes an increase in traffic and traffic accidents. Perhaps the most visible way this manifests is in the elevated number of pedestrian accidents in most of Florida’s metropolitan areas. If you have been involved in an accident as a pedestrian, know that you have options in terms of seeking compensation for the harm you have suffered.
Florida Cities Are Dangerous For Pedestrians
The urban planning think tank Smart Growth America publishes a report every year called Dangerous By Design, which tracks the most dangerous states and metropolitan areas for pedestrians, and tries to shed light on potential infrastructure improvements that could address the issue. For several years running, Florida has been ranked as one of the most dangerous states for pedestrians – in the 2021 report, the state comes in at the top of the list.
If one looks closer, one can see that of the top 10 dangerous metropolitan areas, 7 are located in Florida. The Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area is at the top of the list, with one of the highest rates of pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 population. The reasons for this are varied, but in general, a lack of infrastructure (such as poorly functioning crosswalks or a total lack thereof), particularly in less affluent communities, makes an enormous difference. Much may contribute to pedestrians being injured.
Insurance Or Lawsuit
If you have been injured in an accident as a pedestrian, know that you can generally seek compensation against the person who allegedly caused the crash. In most situations involving auto accidents, you can file a claim with the responsible party’s insurer – in Florida, drivers are required to carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, to cover medical bills in the event of an accident. (Some drivers do not have this coverage, but if you have a car, you can file under your own policy if need be.)
If your injuries are particularly severe (generally, if your medical bills are over $10,000, or if you sustain a “significant and permanent” disability), Florida law allows you to file suit against the allegedly negligent driver. If you do file suit, you must be able to establish that the driver breached the duty to exercise reasonable care that every road user owes to everyone else on the road. That breach of duty must have directly caused your injuries, with no other intervening cause.
Contact A Winter Park Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Being involved in an accident as a pedestrian can be particularly frightening, given that your injuries are likely severe, and you may not know where to turn. The Winter Park personal injury attorneys from the Hornsby Law Group have experience in this type of case, and are ready to put it to work in yours. Contact our offices today for a free consultation.
Resource:
flhsmv.gov/insurance/
https://www.hornsbylawgroup.com/liability-in-florida-trucking-accidents/
