Tampa, FL is a popular vacation area. It attracts people from around the state with warm, calm waters and attractions such as Busch Gardens. Pedestrians rule the sidewalks in Tampa- people on foot almost always have the right away when crossing the street in a designated intersection. motor vehicles are legally expected to be on alert for pedestrians and yield accordingly. However, the city of Tampa sees a number of pedestrian accidents occur from time to time.
If a negligent driver struck you or someone you know, causing serious or fatal injuries, contact the experienced Tampa pedestrian accident lawyers of the Fiol & Morros Law Group. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning no attorney fees unless you win.
Why Hire Fiol & Morros Law Group?
- We have over three decades of combined experience in personal injury law. Our attorneys have committed their lives to help accident victims get theirs back on track.
- We can help you go up against the insurance company in pursuit of a fair recovery. If negotiations fail, we can file your claim with the Tampa civil courts.
- We take all pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You will not pay us a cent in legal fees unless we secure you a compensatory award.
How Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Can Help
After a serious auto accident in Tampa, the first step toward financial recovery is contacting a pedestrian injury lawyer. An attorney can help you from the very beginning, guiding you toward high-quality medical care and dealing with the steps of the claims process on your behalf. Your lawyer can give you immediate peace of mind so you can focus on healing.
To help with your personal injury case, gather information about the collision before calling a lawyer. Your attorney will want to know as much as possible about the accident, backed with evidence such as photographs or medical records. As soon as you can after an accident, create a folder with all crash-related documentation. Include photographs from the scene of the accident, any statements from eyewitnesses, medical records, doctor’s notes, paystubs tracking lost wages, police reports, and anything else that is relevant to your case. Then, call Fiol & Morros Law Group.
Who is Responsible for Paying Damages in a Pedestrian Accident?
Filing a pedestrian accident claim in Tampa could result in the financial compensation you and your family need to move forward. The driver or another party at fault for your accident may owe you a financial award to cover your various economic and non-economic damages. At Fiol & Morros Law Group, we work hard on every client’s behalf to obtain the best possible compensatory awards based on their losses. With our representation, you may be able to obtain compensation for many different damages.
- Medical bills. Your accident may have led to thousands of dollars in surgeries, hospital fees, treatments, medications, medical devices, and therapies.
- Lost wages. If you suffered a temporary or permanent disability from the accident, you could recover your lost wages from missed time at work.
- Pain and suffering. Your accident likely caused you significant physical pain, emotional trauma, fear, discomfort, and mental anguish. You could receive an award for these damages.
A successful pedestrian accident attorney in Tampa could help you find reimbursement for damages such as legal fees, lost quality of life, and punitive damages, depending on the situation. If you suffered life-altering pedestrian injuries such as broken bones or a traumatic brain injury in Tampa, FL your claim will most likely be worth more than someone with minor injuries. Speak to our Tampa pedestrian accident attorneys for a fair estimate of what your personal injury case could be worth.
Florida Laws Regarding Pedestrians
Florida laws regarding pedestrians will be used when trying to establish fault in your accident claim. Because of this, it is important to understand these laws and know how they can affect your claim. Often times in these types of cases, te
Florida Right-Of-Way Law
Pedestrians do not always have the right-of-way. Florida Statutes Section 316.130 states that pedestrians do have the right-of-way when in a crosswalk. They must, however, yield the right of way to a vehicle if that vehicle was already in the crosswalk. If a pedestrian is crossing at an intersection, they should always yield the right-of-way to vehicles upon the roadway.
Duty of The Pedestrian in Florida
Pedestrians, just like drivers, have certain duties under Florida Law. Some of these duties include:
- Obey all traffic laws and instructions of traffic controls unless instructed otherwise by a police officer
- Always use the sidewalk when there is one available
- Exercise reasonable caution when crossing
- To not be on the road to solicit a ride or business from the occupants of the vehicles
- To keep to the right half of crosswalks
What If I Was Jaywalking?
Jaywalking refers to a pedestrian crossing the street at an area between two adjacent intersections that have traffic control devices. In Florida, this is against the law. If you are between two intersections that do not have traffic lights, however, you may cross the street without walking to the intersection. It is your responsibility, however, to only cross the road when no vehicles are coming. You may not lawfully step off a curb if an oncoming vehicle is too close to reasonably stop.
If you were jaywalking at the time of your accident, the driver may try to use this against you as an argument for comparative fault. Florida is a comparative negligence state, meaning you could still receive partial compensation even if the courts find that you contributed to the accident. The courts will reduce your compensatory award by an amount equivalent to your fault. If jaywalking unsafely gives you 20% of fault for the collision, for example, you would receive $8,000 of a $10,000 award. An attorney from Fiol & Morros Law Group may be able to minimize your degree of fault to maximize compensation.
What Are Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries?
Pedestrian accidents most often result in major catastrophic injuries such as broken bones, paralysis and other spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, or internal damage. If a pedestrian accident victim survives, he or she could have a temporary or permanent disability, lost earning capacity, or suffered emotional/mental distress. Many pedestrians never fully recover from these accidents. Sometimes the only helpful recourse is a personal injury attorney in Tampa Bay, who can help you find compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and lost wages.
Since pedestrians are vulnerable to vehicles, pedestrian accidents can also result in death. If your loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident, you may have grounds for filing a wrongful death suit. Our compassionate wrongful death attorneys can explain your legal options and help your family fair compensation to get you through this difficult time.
Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Tampa?
Distracted driving takes the lives of thousands of people in the United States every year. Texting, talking, and using social media apps behind the wheel have led to an increase in vehicle-pedestrian collisions around the country. Despite efforts in Florida and most other states to decrease the use of cellphones while driving, many motorists still don’t pay full attention to the road or traffic signals. Cellphone use while driving always poses a safety threat, but in busy metropolitan areas such as Tampa, the risk of striking a pedestrian is higher than on other roads.
Distracted drivers may ignore pedestrians in crosswalks, roll through stop signs, or fail to yield the right of way. The pedestrians most at risk of getting into accidents are children and the elderly – Florida’s most vulnerable groups. Children may dart out from in between vehicles, running into the road without warning. This is especially true in school zones. For this reason, motorists must adhere to speed limits near schools and in residential neighborhoods. They must pay strict attention to the road at all times, and be prepared to stop for passing children. Failure to pay attention in school zones can lead to at-fault child injuries and deaths.
Another common cause and risk factor for pedestrian crashes in the Tampa Bay area is an intoxicated driver. Every year pedestrians die in alcohol and drug-related accidents in the Hillsborough County and the Bay Area. High-risk areas for these kinds of crashes include downtown Tampa, Clearwater, and downtown St. Petersburg. Alcohol-impaired drivers are more likely to be involved in hit-and-run pedestrian accidents, where they flee the scene in fear or fail to notice they even struck a pedestrian. Drinking or consuming drugs before driving can quickly turn into devastation. If you or a loved one suffered catastrophic injuries in an accident, don’t hesitate to contact Fiol & Morros Law Group for legal advice.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics in Florida
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 500 people are killed while walking in the streets and another 7,000 are injured annually.
The National Complete Streets Coalition released results from a traffic safety study that identified Florida as the single most dangerous state in the country for pedestrians. On the list of 140 metropolitan areas nationwide ranked for their danger to people on foot, Florida areas occupied nine out of the top 11 spots. The state of Florida was also found to have the second-highest number of pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 people in the state.
Contact a Tampa Pedestrian Injury Lawyer
If you believe you may have a claim for a pedestrian accident, the first step toward compensation is speaking with our personal injury lawyers. Our law firm has served the citizens of Hillsborough County for years, securing thousands of dollars in compensation for pedestrian accident victims. During a free consultation, we’ll listen to your case and explain to you your legal rights. If we take your case, we will help you file a claim against the responsible party, navigate the complex Florida legal system, and do everything in our power to help you recover for damages. Call (813) 223-6773 today.