Everyone who operates a motor vehicle on public roads in Florida owes a “duty of care” not just to other drivers, but also to motorcyclists, bicyclists, and especially pedestrians with whom they share the road. As you may have unfortunately learned, though, not every driver is as careful about looking for and driving safely around pedestrians as they should be, and this kind of negligence often has debilitating and even deadly results.
Just like anyone else injured in a traffic accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you have a right to seek help from a skilled personal injury attorney to file suit against a driver who strikes and injures you. Reach out to Largey Law Firm to work with an experienced Lake County pedestrian accident lawyer who will handle every stage of your claim personally to ensure you get paid fairly.
Are Drivers Always at Fault for Pedestrian Collisions?
Because pedestrians are much more likely to sustain injuries in traffic accidents than drivers, it is not unreasonable to assume that drivers are always considered legally liable for these incidents. However, pedestrians can also be “negligent” if they do something like enter a crosswalk without a signal or step off the curb suddenly in front of oncoming traffic, and “comparative fault” like that can sometimes be held against them as a proportional reduction from their final damage award.
On the flip side, an individual driver is sometimes not the only person who a Lake County pedestrian injury attorney could help take legal action against after a serious accident. Depending on the circumstances, various other third parties may hold partial or even primary liability for this sort of incident—for example, a mechanic who did not service a vehicle properly, a manufacturer who produced faulty brakes or other defective car parts, or even a local government body which did not maintain pedestrian infrastructure in a reasonably safe condition.
Recovering Fairly Within Filing Deadlines
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents in Lake County are especially likely to cause life-altering injuries compared to most other types of traffic accidents, as seasoned lawyers know all too well. These injuries can include traumatic brain damage, spinal cord injuries, multiple broken bones, and paralysis. Even if a wreck like this does cause a permanent injury, though, the pedestrian who has sustained that injury still only has two years after their accident actually happened to file suit, as per Florida Statutes §95.11.
This means it is often necessary to identify, estimate a fair value for, and demand restitution for various long-term damages stemming from this sort of incident well in advance of when they fully manifest. Knowledgeable legal counsel could, among many other things, provide vital help with recovering fairly for things like lost working ability, medical expenses, physical pain, and emotional trauma.
Work With a Lake County Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Ideally, you should be able to trust as a pedestrian that drivers on nearby roads will see you, respect your rights, and act responsibly around you so that no one sustains any kind of preventable injury. In reality, though, far too many drivers are too lax about their duty of care towards pedestrians—and if nothing else, they can be held civilly liable for any harm they cause through that kind of misbehavior.
Obtaining fair financial recovery for injuries you unfairly experienced as a pedestrian will be much easier with guidance from a capable and compassionate Lake County pedestrian accident lawyer. Call Largey Law Firm today to learn more and begin working directly with an attorney.