In 2009, there were over 60,000 serious injuries and nearly 4,000 deaths from pedestrian accidents. Injuries in pedestrian accidents are common. There’s nothing protecting pedestrians from cars except for traffic rules.
On this page, we talk about pedestrian accidents in Florida and why they are so dangerous. Let’s talk about how to prevent them. First, nearly all pedestrian accidents wouldn’t occur if both parties followed all the rules of the road.
A common misunderstanding is that a pedestrian must always have the right of way. This is correct, but if a pedestrian isn’t also following traffic rules then they put themselves at risk. If a pedestrian tries to cross a road against a red light or where there is no crosswalk, they could get hit. Drivers use crosswalks and lights to know when to look for pedestrians.
If someone gets hit when a pedestrian is crossing illegally, the driver might not have to pay any compensation. They may even be able to avoid any criminal charges, even if they kill the pedestrian, depending on the circumstances.
Many children get injured by drivers because they don’t know the pedestrian rules of the road. They’ll dart into traffic or stay too close to the road not knowing the dangers. Parents must teach these to their children before letting them play close to a street.
That said, if you were following the rules of the road and you get hit as a pedestrian, you have a high chance of receiving compensation if you file a lawsuit. How do you find out? Call the personal injury attorney team at Chalik Law and tell us your story. We’ll evaluate your case and let you know your chances and how much you might be able to receive in a court of law. Don’t hesitate to call us.
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