Clearwater Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

People are choosing walking over driving more than ever. If you’re involved in a pedestrian accident, Florida law gives you the right to sue for compensation. A Clearwater pedestrian accident lawyer at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers can help get every dollar you deserve. Contact us today at (727) 787-2500.

If you’ve been hurt, the clock is already running. Our legal team also handles Clearwater bicycle accident cases, Clearwater hurricane insurance claims, taxi accidents, electric scooter accidents, motorcycle accidents, and more. Give our law offices in Clearwater a call to schedule your 100% free consultation.

How A Seasoned Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help Maximize Your Compensation Award

How A Seasoned Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help Maximize Your Compensation Award

The time immediately following a pedestrian accident can be incredibly challenging. You have to focus on your recovery–but might be having a hard time while you’re struggling to keep up with the bills. Fortunately, you may be entitled to significant compensation if someone else caused your accident.

You deserve time to focus on getting better after your accident. You shouldn’t have to worry about fighting for compensation–but the insurance company isn’t going to just hand it over. 

The best thing you can do for yourself is to hire an experienced Clearwater personal injury lawyer who knows how to navigate the complex legal process.

When you hire Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we put the full weight of 60 years of experience to work in your case. We’ll handle everything from start to finish. That includes: 

  • Finding out what caused your accident
  • Identifying every source of insurance compensation and every responsible party
  • Fighting back when the insurance company tries to shift the blame to you
  • Making sure you understand your options and have the information to make smart choices about your case
  • Helping you understand what your case is really worth by hiring experts and specialists in medicine, finance, psychology, and other relevant areas

Filing a personal injury lawsuit can be a hassle. There’s no doubt about that. It is, however, something that our personal injury attorneys in Clearwater have years of experience doing. We know how to build your case and advocate for your rights at every stage of the process.

Our one goal? Accomplishing your goals by winning the most compensation possible in your case. Our lawyers are ready to help. All you have to do is call for your free case review.

Pedestrian Accidents in Clearwater, Florida: The Statistics

The statistics are alarming when it comes to pedestrian accidents in the U.S. Between 2008 and 2017, 49,340 people were struck and killed by motor vehicles in the United States. Florida is one of five states that accounts for more than half of all pedestrian accident deaths in the country.

A recent Governor’s Highway Safety Association study estimates that 6,590 pedestrians died in motor vehicle accidents across the United States in 2019. 368 pedestrians died in Florida during the first half of 2019 alone. Unfortunately, data ranks Florida as the deadliest state in the country for pedestrians. Nine of the 20 most dangerous U.S. cities for pedestrians are located in Florida. 

A recent study by Smart Growth America marks Tampa-St.Petersburg-Clearwater as the 9th deadliest metro area in the nation for pedestrian deaths. 900 pedestrians lost their lives in our area between 2008 and 2017.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Clearwater, FL

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Clearwater, FL

Distracted drivers are by far the most common cause of pedestrian accidents in Clearwater and across Florida. Drivers today are more distracted than ever. Today’s distractions include cell phones and other electronic devices, in addition to things like grooming, children and even changing the radio station.

Some other common causes of pedestrian accidents in Clearwater include:

  • Drunk drivers
  • Drug use behind the wheel
  • Poorly marked intersections
  • Speeding
  • Illegal or unsafe turns
  • Dangerous road design
  • Running a red light or stop sign
  • Other traffic violations
  • Defective vehicle parts
  • Fatigued driving

Pedestrians can also contribute to the cause of dangerous accidents. Darting into the road or failure to follow traffic signals can contribute to the cause of an accident. Unfortunately, a pedestrian will always suffer the most severe injuries in a traffic accident.

In most cases, another driver is responsible for the accident. However, manufacturers of dangerous vehicle components and even the government agencies responsible for road design can be held accountable.

At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, our first step is to gather evidence and find out what caused your accident. We’ll do everything we can to hold all responsible parties liable to get justice for your family. Call today to learn about establishing an attorney client relationship with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Clearwater Crashes

Pedestrians are much more likely to die or sustain serious injuries in a car accident. Regardless of what happened, you just don’t have the protection that a vehicle offers.

Our Clearwater pedestrian accident attorneys at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers can help you recover full compensation for all of your injuries. Some common pedestrian accident injuries include:

Speed can play a significant role in severe injury cases. However, as a pedestrian, you might be seriously hurt even in a low-speed crash–after all, you probably weren’t even wearing a bike helmet. If you hit your head, you might be hurt badly enough so that you face lifelong challenges.

At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, we take your injuries and your case seriously. We’re ready to go to work today. Give us a call today to get the legal advice you need.

What Time Limits Apply in My Injury Case?

Every state imposes time limits on your right to file a personal injury lawsuit. The applicable time frame is called the statute of limitations. After time is up, you lose the right to sue for damages.

In Florida, the statute of limitations gives you two years from the date the accident happened to file a personal injury lawsuit. Prior to March 24, 2023, this deadline was four years. However, a revision in the law reduced the amount of time accident victims have to file a civil lawsuit. Accordingly, if your pedestrian accident occurred after 3/24/23, you have two years to file.

If you lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, you have two years from the date of death to file an action for wrongful death. 

There are some limited exceptions to these rules. However, they don’t apply in the vast majority of pedestrian accident cases. That’s why it’s important to speak with a qualified personal injury lawyer as soon as you can. Even if you’re still recovering, don’t hesitate to call our law firm to learn more about how we can help.

What if the Insurance Company Blames Me For Getting Hurt?

You might not expect to be blamed for getting hurt when a car, truck, or bus crashes into you while walking. As a pedestrian, it can be hard to get out of the way when a speeding car is headed your way. You might not ever see it coming. 

However, pedestrians don’t always have the right of way. Insurance companies like to blame pedestrians for darting into the road or disobeying crosswalk signals. Although things like this can happen, it doesn’t necessarily mean you lose your right to compensation.

Even if the insurance company tries the “blame the victim” tactic, you don’t have to give up. Florida modified comparative negligence laws let you sue for damages as long as your level of blame doesn’t exceed 50%. What happens can be shown in a simple example.

Assume the following:

  • You’re found to be 20% at fault for the pedestrian accident
  • The jury awards you $500,000 in compensation

In this case, your award would be reduced by 20%, to $400,000. However, if you were found to be 51% responsible, you wouldn’t receive any compensation.

Recovering Fair Compensation After a Clearwater Pedestrian Accident

Recovering Fair Compensation After a Clearwater Pedestrian Accident

All Florida drivers are required to carry at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage under the no-fault insurance law. That insurance policy is available even if you were hurt while walking. If the policy is in your name or someone in your household has insurance, you can make an injury claim after an accident.

$10,000 might not be enough to cover a fraction of your medical bills, let alone account for the cost of pain and suffering and future care. 

Our Clearwater personal injury attorneys can help evaluate options for recovering additional compensation for things like:

  • Your full medical bills
  • Lost wages if you’re unable to work
  • Future medical expenses
  • Lost future earning potential
  • Physical therapy and rehab
  • Long-term care
  • Pain and suffering
  • PTSD
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Damages for wrongful death, including loss of consortium and financial support

You might even be entitled to punitive damages if the at-fault party’s actions were especially shocking or even intentional.

If you’ve found that your PIP coverage barely makes a dent in your bills, call us today. You need more than just general information to get you through this difficult time. Our lawyers can explore the possibility of filing a personal injury lawsuit. We might also be able to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company.

Call To Learn More About How a Clearwater Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Can Make a Difference

If you were hurt while walking or running, a Clearwater pedestrian accident lawyer can make a world of difference in protecting your financial stability. While you’re recovering from your injuries, our lawyers will be out fighting to get the most compensation available in your case.

Contact the Clearwater law office of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your options in a free consultation today.

Our personal injury law firm in Clearwater also provides: