Pedestrian car accidents cause some of the most severe injuries litigated in personal injury cases. When a completely unshielded human body is struck by thousands of pounds of metal traveling at extreme speeds, the forces involved can be devastating. If you or a loved one was hit by a negligent driver while walking carefully, a Mount Dora pedestrian accident lawyer could be the ally you need. Our injury attorneys could prove that you are not to blame and fight for a substantial settlement.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Understanding how personal injury law relates to pedestrian accidents begins by understanding the most common types of these incidents.
- Motor vehicles striking pedestrians: Most pedestrian accidents involve a car, truck or other motor vehicle hitting someone walking alongside or across a roadway. Sometimes a negligent act by the motorist is at fault, such as speeding or ignoring traffic signals.
- Slips and falls: Walkways are often littered with potholes, cracks and other hazardous conditions. These can easily cause a pedestrian to fall and injure him or herself.
- Falling debris: Pedestrians are often struck by objects that have fallen from construction areas, overpasses and commercial zones.
Determining Fault After a Pedestrian Accident
In personal injury law, the question of whether someone is legally liable for the injuries resulting from a pedestrian accident hinges on the question of negligence. The negligent, liable party is the one who does not demonstrate a reasonable standard of care given the circumstances of the accident.
But real life is rarely black and white, and more than one party can fail to demonstrate care in a pedestrian accident. For example, a jaywalking pedestrian may be considered at least partially negligent in the accident.
For incidents like this one, Florida uses a standard of comparative negligence. During litigation, a certain percentage of the fault for the accident may be assigned to all of the parties involved. And if you end up obtaining compensation, the amount you receive will likely be reduced by the percentage of fault allocated to you by the judge or jury. This might sound intimidating, but one of our tenacious lawyers in Mount Dora could fight to demonstrate that you were not partially responsible for a pedestrian accident.
What to Do After Being Hit by a Car
If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident and you are physically able to do so, always obtain the contact information of all involved parties. At times, this is not always possible. One of the most complicated types of cases is a hit and run where the negligent party cannot be identified. In any accident where you have little protection, you should see a doctor immediately. Not all injuries present immediate symptoms.
Finally, whenever possible, you should reach out to a hardworking attorney in Mount Dora, someone who could analyze the crash scene, collect evidence, and strengthen your pedestrian accident case.
Consult a Mount Dora Pedestrian Accident Attorney about Your Case
Few traffic accidents cause injuries as serious as those involving pedestrians do. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a pedestrian accident, contact our legal representatives to get started on assembling a civil claim. Our Mount Dora pedestrian accident lawyers understand your situation and are here to help. We offer convenient office locations and can schedule your appointment around your unique needs. Se habla Español.