North Port Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian Fatalities on the Rise in Sarasota County

Last year saw an increase in crashes in Sarasota County and North Port, with a corresponding increase in fatalities. In particular, pedestrian fatalities continue to rise sharply.

The North Port area has some of the state’s most pedestrian injuries and fatalities. For this reason, the Sheriff’s Office has special enforcement areas, focusing on eight specific areas of the county.

The goal is to increase drivers’ awareness of and compliance with traffic rules and regulations meant to protect pedestrians. Enforcement will focus primarily on education though some citations may be issued.

How Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen?

Florida generally has excellent weather and lots of tourists, which encourages pedestrians. However, for about four months of the year, heavy rain or even hurricanes create dangerous driving conditions. Add the number of elderly drivers and pedestrians in Florida, and you have volatile driving situations with likely accidents.

A pedestrian is anyone using the walkways or roads without a vehicle. They include walkers, joggers and runners, cyclists, skateboarders, and roller skaters.

Some of the conditions most likely to cause pedestrian accidents are:

• Failure to observe traffic signs or signals
• Failure to yield right of way to a pedestrian
• Distracted driving
• Failure to use caution in residential or tourist areas
• Reckless driving
• Driving under the Influence
• Passing a school bus/school zone misconduct
• Pedestrian negligence

How Do I Prove Negligence in a Pedestrian Accident Case?

To recover damages in a personal injury or car accident case, you must allege and prove that someone acted carelessly. You must then prove that their carelessness caused the injuries for which you seek compensation.

Basically:

• The at-fault driver owed the pedestrian a duty of care—all drivers, as a condition of receiving a driver’s license, have a duty of care to everyone else on the road.
• The at-fault driver breached that duty of care – the driver, by acting carelessly in violating traffic laws or driving carelessly or recklessly failed to live up to the standard of care.
• The at-fault driver’s breach was the direct and proximate cause of the pedestrian’s injuries – direct and proximate cause mean that the driver’s breach factually caused the injury and that the injuries suffered were reasonably foreseeable as a result of that breach.
• For which the at-fault driver should pay compensation – the law says the party causing the loss should bear the costs, not the innocent victim. You will be entitled to compensation for your economic and non-economic damages, including:
  • Medical and hospital expenses
  • Rehabilitation
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of cognitive and motor skills
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Call a North Port Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

As you struggle to recover from your pedestrian accident, you need to focus your energy and attention on that recovery. Insurance company adjusters and lawyers are pros—their day job is to get you to accept the lowest possible settlement.

A pedestrian accident attorney at Boohoff Law can remove the burden of dealing with insurance companies from your shoulders. Let them bring their skill and talent to your problem and work aggressively to obtain the appropriate recovery for you.

Contact us online today or call (941) 888-0848 for a no-cost initial consultation and case evaluation.

North Port Pedestrian Accident FAQs

Boohoff Law North Port Office