If you've been injured by a vehicle, a Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyer VG Law Group, LLP may be able to help. Call today for more information.
Do you know you can sustain severe or fatal auto accident injuries when walking on the sidewalks? These cases are prevalent worldwide, especially in Florida.
Florida records the highest number of pedestrian accidents each year in the United States. Sadly, about 500 pedestrian fatalities and 7,000 injuries are recorded due to traffic accidents. Most of these accidents are a result of driver carelessness and negligence.
Fortunately, Florida citizens and tourists are protected by law and have a right to seek justice.
However, having the law on your side is merely enough once you or your loved one are involved in a pedestrian accident.
Florida is considered a sunshine city. Reason for so many pedestrians on the sidewalks.
Unfortunately, traffic-related injuries and deaths are bound to happen with many outdoor activities. Pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely than vehicle occupants to die in a car accident. Nonetheless, these accidents are preventable if road users understand the leading causes.
Here are the leading factors;
'Right of way' means who between the driver and pedestrian has the legal right to go first.
Failure to yield way or proceeding without giving precedence to the other party leads to a traffic violation.
For instance, a motorist should allow a pedestrian to cross the road through the crosswalk or intersection if the traffic signal directs them or not.
Driving while talking or texting on the phone is also a leading cause of pedestrian accidents. However, pedestrians crossing the roads with their eyes on the smart devices also contribute to the rising number of casualties.
A reckless driver who disregards speed limits and does not obey traffic lights at crossroads and intersections risks pedestrian lives. However, pedestrians who do not look at the lights before crossing the streets also put their lives in danger.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is the primary cause of fatal accidents, especially at night. A drunk driver usually has no regard for traffic laws and threatens other road users, especially pedestrians.
They are likely to make left turns directly towards pedestrians, overspeed, or have poor visibility.
Coming into contact with a moving car even under low speed is no joke. Pedestrians are likely to sustain minor or life-threatening injuries or, even worse, death.
Some of the typical pedestrian accident injuries include;
Florida’s no-fault auto insurance laws require every driver to carry a personal injury protection policy, commonly known as PIP insurance or no-fault coverage. That means Floridians and tourists can seek compensation for sustained injuries by filing a claim in three ways;
If you have no-fault coverage, you can collect personal injury protection benefits up to $10,000 from your insurance company.
You can also receive the PIP benefits from the at-fault driver's insurance company. However, the insurance company must document your injuries within 14 days to qualify for the PIP benefits.
You can also file for an uninsured or underinsured motorist auto liability claim if the at-fault driver fled the scene, did not have an insurance policy, or had limited insurance coverage.
In most cases, insurance companies force victims to accept the first offer, which is usually far below what they deserve. Therefore, it is paramount for victims to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer to get maximum compensation.
Once onboard, a pedestrian accident lawyer may push for punitive and compensatory damages compensation before accepting an insurance settlement.
Some of the compensatory damages the lawyer may bring to the negotiating table include;
If the court finds that the fault party acted with malice, punitive damages are awarded as punishment.
Note: The statute of limitation for filing a traffic accident case in Florida is four years from the accident date.
You are entitled to recover damages even if you are partly to blame for the motor vehicle accident.
Your right still stands to receive compensation as long as another party was also to blame. However, the shared responsibility laws state that you cannot be compensated for the damages resulting from your doings.
Therefore, it is wise to consult an experienced attorney as most of the allegations from the insurance company are malicious. They aim to scare you into giving in to their demeaning offer.
Being involved in a car accident can be overwhelming financially, physically, and emotionally. The situation leaves victims exhausted with no strength to run after insurance companies for compensation.
Fortunately, VG Law Group, LLP has the best pedestrian accident attorneys ready to give you or your loved one a legal hand.
Our Fort Lauderdale injury lawyers will help you determine every aspect of the accident, including the type of accident, the cause, and if a negligent driver was at fault.
The law firm will be your legal advocate and will help you in the following ways;
For you to win a pedestrian accident claim, you must provide enough evidence that you indeed sustained damages or injuries.
Luckily, an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer has the resources and skills to do so.
They gather information by interviewing witnesses at the accident scene and requesting police reports and security camera footage. They also consult forensic consultants to uncover hidden but crucial pieces of evidence for your case.
In short, we do not relent until we gather all the juicy bits that form a strong defense for your case.
Our attorneys consult medical professionals to help analyze your medical records in detail(we include every dime, even what may seem a silly expense).
We develop a clear outline of the extent of your injuries. We also produce a long-term care plan to cover future medical costs in case of permanent disability.
We also create a clear picture of the kind of pain and suffering the accident has put you through and why you deserve fair compensation.
It's excellent that your medical bills have been settled. But who will cater to your family and personal needs during the recovery period now that you are incapacitated?
That is why our pedestrian accident lawyers calculate income lost and ensure you receive monthly wages, at least to keep you going financially. They also calculate property damage, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment and consortium.
So, VG Law Group, LLP is ready to help you get the financial compensation you deserve with little burden on your shoulders.
We are prepared to face insurance adjusters. At no time will we allow them to determine what your injuries are worth.
Give us a call today, and our legal team will take you through every aspect of your traffic accident case for free.
