The Law Offices of James B. Coulter
Establishing Justice
Careless and negligent drivers can cause accidents anywhere, and the danger is higher if pedestrians are involved. Motorists are expected to share portions of the roadway with pedestrians, especially at crosswalks, according to Florida law.
When drivers fail to notice those traveling on foot, they can cause costly and debilitating accidents. Accidents can lead to medical bills, time away from work and serious injuries. If you are injured in a pedestrian accident, it is important you have an attorney on your case.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian traffic accident, contact an experienced Melbourne pedestrian accident personal injury attorney at The Law Offices of James B. Coulter. The legal team at The Law Offices of James B. Coulter will work with you to ensure the best possible outcome in your case. The attorneys will work to get fair compensation for your injuries.
Call (321) 586-9944 to discuss your case with a skilled personal injury attorney. The consultation is free, and the attorneys will help you begin the legal process to get what you deserve. The Law Offices of James B. Coulter represents clients in Melbourne, Palm Bay, Viera, Cocoa Beach, Merritt Islands, Titusville, Cape Canaveral and the surrounding cities.
Pedestrian crashes are common in the state and can happen on interstates, city streets or rural county roads. There were 8,258 pedestrian crashes in Florida in 2012, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Of those crashes, more than 470 people were killed and another 7,413 people were injured, a majority of which were male.
Pedestrian crashes could occur when:
There are laws outlining how pedestrians and motorists in Florida must interact and how they must share the roadway. There sometimes is confusion about whether motorists or pedestrians have the right of way when traveling on the roadway. Either party could have the right of way, but it depends on the situation.
For example, pedestrians have the right of way at permitted crosswalks when a permitted signal allows them to walk. Vehicles must yield to them and allow them to cross the street. However, if a pedestrian crosses the street anywhere except a permitted crosswalk, he or she must yield to motorists.
Under Florida Statute Annotated § 316.130, pedestrians are required to walk on sidewalks, but if there is not one, he or she is capable of walking on the road. However, they must travel on the shoulder facing traffic.
Florida law also requires drivers at intersections to stop before entering a crosswalk. They must remain stopped as pedestrians cross the roadway, as long as there is a permitted signal. This is where pedestrians often are in danger, especially when a vehicle is turning right onto a roadway at a high speed and does not see them crossing the street.
Pedestrians in traffic accidents most often are struck by the front bumper of a vehicle. If the vehicle is larger, such as a truck or an SUV, the injuries can be more severe. However, if a pedestrian is hit by any car, he or she likely will suffer injuries. Some of the most common injuries caused by pedestrian crashes include:
If you are injured in a pedestrian traffic accident, you likely will have piles of medical bills and you will be unable to work. Without a paycheck, you may be unable to afford your medical and physical therapy bills. Legally, there are three types of damages you could seek:
Your attorney likely will be dealing with the insurance company in most instances. The company may try to accuse the pedestrian of being at fault, but an experienced attorney can fight for what you deserve if you are wrongfully injured.
Contact The Law Offices of James B. Coulter to learn about your options if you were injured in a pedestrian crash. The aggressive Melbourne pedestrian accident lawyers will make every effort to get you the damages you deserve. Call (321) 586-9944 to speak to an experienced attorney about your unique situation.
