Ensuring Justice and Accountability for Pedestrians in Florida
Strolling on the sidewalk in the South Florida sunshine is supposed to be a pleasant, safe activity to participate in. Sadly, this isn’t always the case- walking in, across, alongside, and around can be quite treacherous, and the danger has only increased in recent years. The Governors’ Highway Safety Association recently released a new report ranking the rate of fatal pedestrian accidents in Florida as number two in the nation! Between 2020 and 2021, the rate of fatal Florida pedestrian accidents went up by 31 percent. Nationally, around 20 people die from being hit by drivers while walking- the most in forty years. Pedestrian deaths are the most common at night in urban areas, and cluster around the months of October through January. At BCN Law Firm, we are dedicated to obtaining justice and accountability for every single mother, father, daughter, son, grandson, and grandparent who comes to us seeking help for themselves or for their loved one who was hit by a car while simply trying to walk around.
Seeking Financial Compensation In A Florida Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrians are the most vulnerable of road users, and are much more likely than passengers in a vehicle to sustain fatal or severe injuries in the case of a crash. Some pedestrian accident injuries we often see include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Fractured bones
- Burns, abrasions, cuts, and bruising
Tragically, even though pedestrians have a higher chance of sustaining severe injuries, they also have a harder time seeking damages for those injuries. Florida is a no-fault state that mandates nearly all motorists to carry a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage covering the losses to the insured, no matter who is found at-fault. However, pedestrians aren’t in a vehicle and thus don’t need to carry PIP unless they have it for their vehicle. Moreover, even if the pedestrian hit has PIP, or is able to file for compensation from the PIP policy of the driver, $10,000 isn’t a lot of money when you account for the fact that pedestrian accidents tend to result in severe injuries.
Plaintiffs are allowed to go outside of the no-fault system and seek compensation from the driver’s bodily injury liability insurer if the driver is found at-fault or partially at-fault in cases involving wrongful death or serious injury. This is typically the case when damages go over any available PIP coverage by a long shot. With so much involved, it is always in the pedestrian victim’s best interest to consult with a personal injury lawyer to learn about their best legal options.
We Believe In Justice and Accountability For Florida Pedestrians
Pursuing legal action in cases involving accountability and justice for Florida pedestrians isn’t solely about money- after all, there isn’t any amount of money that could replace a loved one you lost. However, surviving family members should still consider pursuing compensation for the following reasons:
- Using pedestrian accident claims as a means of seeking accountability for the negligence or carelessness
- Raising awareness about how much the accident impacted your family as a way to motivate change for poor pedestrian safety
- Helping with financial survival while the family rebuilds their lives
Contact Us Today
Our firm believes in seeking justice and accountability for victims of pedestrian accidents, which are often devastating. In Florida, you do not have to pay the lawyer’s fees for wrongful death claims and personal injury claims upfront. In fact, BCN Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis so you don’t have to pay at all if you don’t win. If you’re looking for a Florida pedestrian accident attorney, Call BCN Law Firm to schedule an appointment today.
