Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians Have the Right of Way

Pedestrian AccidentPedestrians are the most vulnerable accidents victims and for that reason, Florida grants them the “right of way.” Those people walking on foot face a multitude of dangers when trying to navigate driveways, crosswalks and other areas shared by car and truck traffic.

How it often Happens

Densely populated Pinellas County is a host to accidents involving pedestrians of all ages. The most defenseless people tend to be the elderly and small children who are less able to take quick evasive action to escape from a negligent driver. However, people of all ages, including runners -joggers and bicycle riders are at risk from drivers who are:

• Impaired on alcohol or drugs
• Texting, dialing or talking on their cell phones
• Focused on traffic and not the pedestrian
• Elderly and suffering from slow reflexes or poor vision(especially after dark)
• Impatient or aggressive in their driving habits
• Over worked and tired
• Inexperienced and newly licensed
• Distracted by conversation within the vehicle
• Eating
• Making adjustments to the vehicle’s navigation equipment or other electronic displays

Common Injuries Sustained by Pedestrian
Accident Victims

Let’s face it, when a motor vehicle and a pedestrian collide, the injuries are bound to be serious or deadly. Without the protection afforded by a steel encased vehicle and the safety provide by seat belts and air bags, the impact, more often than not can be life threatening. Typical injuries include:

• Head trauma, concussion or brain injuries
• Fractured ribs or broken bones
• Back, neck or herniated disc injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• internal injuries to the more vulnerable areas (such as the spleen, lungs or liver)
• Cuts, bruises and lacerations

Know Your Rights

With the ever-changing laws in Florida and the fine print of insurance policies that define your rights, attempting to deal with the insurance company on your own can be dangerous for both you and your family.

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in Florida, there are many laws that you may be unaware of that can directly affect your rights. You may be entitled to recover payments for:

• Your medical treatment
• Permanent injury
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages

Dealing with the Insurance Company

Attempting to deal with insurance companies on your own can be a huge mistake. Your personal injury lawyer can make the necessary repeated phone calls to the insurance adjuster, in an effort to process your claim more quickly. Your attorney can also negotiate the best possible settlement, designed to provide you with the security and freedom to take care of yourself and your family.

People not represented by counsel often fall prey to traps set by the insurance company. They can also experience significant delays caused by the adjuster’s lack of attention to their claim. As a former insurance company attorney, Colleen has first-hand knowledge on how insurance companies operate when evaluating and handling pedestrian accident insurance claims. Put her experience to work for you today! Call 727-578-0303 for a free consultation.

Russo & Russo handles St. Petersburg and Clearwater area pedestrian accident cases. They aggressively work to secure the highest possible cash settlement.