Learn About Your Rights as an Injured Pedestrian
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 5,977 pedestrian accident fatalities in a recent year in the United States. A pedestrian’s worst nightmare is getting hit by a motor vehicle while attempting to cross the intersection or street. Pedestrians can suffer from severe injuries after being struck by a motor vehicle, truck, or motorcycle. Unfortunately, the number of pedestrian accidents has remained at an all-time high for the last two years.
Just like many residents, pedestrians want to enjoy outdoor recreational activities. Unfortunately, areas in North Port are dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists to travel around for fear of being in a pedestrian accident. North Port is one of the most dangerous metro areas for pedestrians to walk through – not only in Florida but in the entire U.S.
If you or a loved one are the victim of a pedestrian accident, you have the right under Florida law to pursue legal action against the negligent driver who caused your accident. To learn more, contact the experienced North Port pedestrian accident lawyers at Boohoff Law today. We get results for injured pedestrians, and we can help you.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Like many North Port traffic accidents, pedestrian accidents happen due to driver error. Many of the causes of pedestrian accidents happen because the driver was negligent in their ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.
Some of the common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving. Drivers do not always notice every pedestrian attempting to cross the intersection. When drivers are distracted from checking their cell phones, they divide their attention at the wrong time. That second that they decide to check their phone can also be the exact second that a pedestrian chooses to cross the street.
- Aggressive driving. Pedestrians have the right of way. However, around particular intersections, aggressive drivers may intentionally ignore the traffic laws and proceed to drive instead of yielding the right of way to pedestrians. Motorists can seriously injure pedestrians by assuming that the people on foot will yield to them when they don’t need to.
- Vehicles making left turns. Pedestrians cannot rely on crosswalk signals to protect them from drivers who attempt to make left turns. Drivers may be so focused on executing their left turns that they avoid yielding the right of way to pedestrians. Drivers may also fail to notice pedestrians crossing the street from the left side of the intersection.
- Road construction. Road construction on certain roadways forces pedestrians to travel on dangerous road areas to cross intersections. Unfortunately, the traffic congestion that can gather from the inconveniences associated with road construction can lead to drivers focusing on navigating through traffic and not paying attention to pedestrians.
- Multi-lane roads. There are specific road designs constructed without the thought of the pedestrian in mind. Multi-lane roads are one of those road designs. Because drivers are more concerned with navigating safely through multi-lanes, they may be paying more attention to the movement of other drivers and not pedestrians.
Dangerous Areas for Pedestrians in North Port
According to a Dangerous by Design Report, the area around North Port, Sarasota, and Bradenton was the sixth-most dangerous metro area for pedestrians. The area contains several 199 pedestrian fatalities that happened over a decade. That is a ratio of 2.5 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents.
What is Pedestrian Vulnerability?
In metro areas, the safety of pedestrians is usually considered an afterthought during the design process. Designers don’t make Roadways with additional lighting in mind, and some roadways may not even have the correct crosswalk signals to help pedestrians safely cross intersections.
In addition to unsafe roadway designs, pedestrians are not always visible to other drivers. Pedestrians may be dressed in dark clothing, making it even more challenging to remain visible around drivers. Because of this, pedestrians must be cautious when traveling through specific intersections and crosswalks.
Walking Around The Beach in North Port
Another dangerous area where pedestrians are at risk of being struck by vehicles is the beaches. North Port beaches have various shops, restaurants, and other storefronts lined up, making the boardwalk busy during daytime and nighttime.
To make matters worse, drivers attempting to drive through beach crosswalks are not always expecting a pedestrian to cross. Beach crosswalks are more dangerous to navigate because pedestrians do not have crosswalk signals to use; they cross the street whenever is convenient, putting themselves at a greater risk.
Liability For Drivers in Pedestrian Accidents
In pedestrian accidents, drivers usually are at-fault parties. For liability to be determined, the plaintiff must prove the legal theory of negligence through the party’s actions. Because pedestrians have the right of way, drivers must always yield to pedestrians.
The negligent actions of drivers also contribute to pedestrian accidents, like failing to yield or failing to obey traffic signals. However, it is not always easy to determine liability in a pedestrian accident.
Pedestrian Liability in North Port
The driver’s legal counsel may argue that the pedestrian’s actions contributed to the accident in some pedestrian accidents. The driver’s counsel may prove that the pedestrian was negligent by specific actions like crossing a street in a section other than a crosswalk or failing to obey a crosswalk signal. Pedestrians can share liability for their accidents with drivers.
Other Parties Who Can Be Liable
Even though the driver is the primary party you may hold liable in a pedestrian accident, other parties can contribute to your injuries. Another party you may hold liable for pedestrian accidents is a government agency. Government agencies have a legal responsibility to maintain the safety of roads. When intersections are unsafe or do not contain safety features for pedestrians, pedestrians may file a claim against government agencies for failing to remove hazards from the roadways.
Start Working With Our North Port Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today
Pedestrian accidents can cause pedestrians to experience severe physical and mental anguish. Recovering from a pedestrian accident may require different medical treatments like surgeries and physical therapy. Even after a pedestrian accident victim recovers, they can experience mental disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety.
At Boohoff Law, we understand how terrifying it is when you suffer injuries at the hand of another person’s negligence. We also know how you and your family may want to focus on healing from the accident. Pedestrian accident victims rarely think about seeking the legal help of a lawyer. While we understand how important it is to focus on healing, seeking the help of an experienced North Port pedestrian accident lawyer can take a lot of stress away from you and your family.
The faster a North Port pedestrian accident lawyer becomes involved with your claim, the better. A North Port pedestrian accident lawyer knows the best way to formulate a plan to help you receive the proper amount of compensation you deserve. A North Port pedestrian accident lawyer can also take the lead on the legal process and help relieve you of additional stress.
You have four years to file a pedestrian accident claim against the negligent parties in Florida. However, you do not want to wait until the statute of limitations to file a claim until the end. Filing a claim as soon as possible increases your chances of receiving the appropriate compensation that you deserve. It will also improve your chances when battling against insurance companies searching for any reason to deny your claim.
Call Boohoff Law North Port Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Now
Pedestrian accidents can cause victims to experience serious injuries. The team at Boohoff Law understands how scary it is to be injured by a negligent driver. We’re here to help you fight for your rights to compensation under Florida law.
Were you or a loved one injured in a North Port pedestrian accident? If so, it is in your best interest to speak with a personal injury lawyer about your case. Call our office at (941) 888-0848, or complete our contact form for your free consultation today.
Boohoff Law North Port Office Location
14900 Tamiami Trail North Port,
FL 34287
(941) 260-0376
