How Speeding Drivers Cause Catastrophic Pedestrian Accidents in Florida

A Palm Beach County pedestrian accident lawyer explains the danger

Speeding drivers often cause serious pedestrian accidents in Florida. In a flash, a speeding driver can hit someone crossing the street or walking alongside the road in West Palm Beach or another community in Florida.

Many speeding pedestrian accidents result in catastrophic injuries due to the force and power of a speeding car crashing into someone who doesn’t have a car’s shell or anything else to protect them. And the faster the car is going, the more force is transferred to the person’s body.

When this happens, injured pedestrians often need extensive medical care and face weeks or months of recovery time. Permanent, life-altering disabilities are also common. At The Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo, P.A., we know how devastating speeding-related pedestrian accidents can be for everyone involved. That’s why we want to help.

Why are speeding drivers so dangerous for pedestrians?

A speeding driver has less time to see, react, and stop for pedestrians. And the higher the speed, the longer the braking distance. A car traveling 40 mph needs almost 120 feet more to stop than one traveling 20 mph, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That difference in distance often determines whether a pedestrian lives or dies.

Specifically, speeding makes pedestrian accidents more severe for several reasons:

Reduced reaction time – The faster a car moves, the less time the driver has to notice a crosswalk, traffic light, or pedestrian stepping off a curb.
Longer stopping distance – Even if the driver sees the pedestrian, physics limits how fast the car can stop.
Greater impact force – The energy of a crash increases exponentially with speed, causing catastrophic injuries even at 30 mph or less.
Loss of vehicle control – Speeding drivers are more likely to swerve, hydroplane, or veer off the road — all of which endanger pedestrians nearby.
Increased likelihood of fatality – A pedestrian struck at 20 mph has about a 10 percent chance of dying; at 40 mph, the risk rises to about 80 percent, according to NHTSA studies.

Speed doesn’t just increase the risk of a crash – it multiplies the destruction when one happens. And while some insurance companies might downplay the seriousness of speeding, injured pedestrians know just how serious such accidents can be for them.

Where do speeding-related pedestrian accidents happen most often in Florida?

Many of Florida’s most dangerous pedestrian corridors are designed for fast traffic and have poor visibility. Multi-lane roads with wide intersections, minimal lighting, and few safe crossings create deadly conditions for pedestrians. Hotspots often include:

Arterial highways and high-speed boulevards – Roads like U.S. 1, Military Trail, and State Road 7 in Palm Beach County are built for 45-55 mph travel but pass through areas with heavy foot traffic.
Urban intersections – High-volume intersections in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami are frequent sites of pedestrian injuries, especially when drivers accelerate to beat red lights.
Residential and school zones – Speeding in 25 mph neighborhoods or near crosswalks around schools often leads to devastating child injuries.
Nighttime corridors – Poor street lighting makes pedestrians harder to see; combined with speeding, visibility becomes dangerously limited.
Tourist areas – Regions like Boca Raton and Palm Beach Gardens see increased pedestrian activity year-round, and out-of-state drivers unfamiliar with local traffic patterns often speed unintentionally.

Florida’s flat terrain and wide roads encourage higher speeds. And when drivers ignore posted limits or drive too fast for conditions, pedestrians face the consequences and are the ones who suffer.

What types of injuries occur when speeding drivers hit pedestrians?

Because a pedestrian’s body absorbs nearly all the impact, injuries from speeding collisions are typically very severe. Common pedestrian injuries due to being hit by a speeding car include:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – Caused by head impacts with the vehicle or pavement.
Spinal cord damage – Resulting in paralysis or permanent mobility loss.
Multiple fractures – Legs, pelvis, and ribs are frequently broken from the force of impact.
Internal bleeding and organ damage – High-speed collisions can rupture internal organs.
Amputations or crush injuries – Severe limb trauma may require surgical amputation.
Facial injuries and disfigurement – Often leading to long-term psychological distress.

Even at moderate speeds, a car’s bumper, hood, and windshield can inflict catastrophic harm. For survivors, medical recovery often involves multiple surgeries, months of rehabilitation, and long-term therapy. And even then, many injured pedestrians never fully recover and have permanent disabilities that affect them for the rest of their lives. That’s why it’s critical that speeding drivers are held accountable for their actions.

What evidence can prove the driver was speeding?

Proving that a driver was traveling too fast often requires extensive evidence. An attorney can gather technical, digital, and physical evidence to establish exactly how fast the vehicle was moving at the moment of impact. Key evidence can include:

Event data recorders (EDRs) – Many vehicles contain “black boxes” that store pre-crash data such as speed, braking, and throttle position.
Traffic and surveillance video – Nearby security or intersection cameras can show the vehicle’s movement and timing relative to signals.
Crash reconstruction analysis – Experts can use skid marks, debris patterns, and vehicle deformation to calculate the speed of the vehicle.
Police reports and citations – Officers often document estimated speeds, witness statements, and whether the driver was cited for speeding or reckless driving.
Witness accounts – Bystanders may have seen the vehicle weaving through traffic, running lights, or accelerating before the crash.
Digital evidence – GPS, rideshare app data, or telematics from connected vehicles can verify speed and route information.

Collecting this evidence quickly is essential. Roadway debris is cleared, cameras overwrite footage, and electronic data can be lost if not preserved. That’s why contacting a lawyer immediately after the crash can make or break a case. Experienced attorneys know how to obtain and analyze evidence that clearly shows the driver was speeding at the time of your pedestrian accident.

Who’s responsible for paying for pedestrian accidents caused by speeding drivers?

Under Florida’s no-fault system, pedestrians injured by speeding drivers typically start with their personal injury protection (PIP) benefits, which cover limited medical expenses and lost wages regardless of fault. But severe injuries often exceed those limits.

When damages surpass PIP coverage, the following parties may be financially responsible:

The speeding driver – Their bodily injury liability coverage can pay for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
The vehicle owner – If the at-fault driver borrowed a car, the owner’s insurance policy may apply.
The driver’s employer – When the crash occurs during work duties (for example, a delivery driver), the employer can share liability.
Other negligent parties – In rare cases, poor roadway design, defective vehicle components, or failure to maintain crosswalk signals may contribute to liability.

A Florida pedestrian accident lawyer can identify every possible source of compensation – including uninsured or underinsured motorist benefits – to make sure the victim’s recovery reflects the true cost of their injuries and all their financial losses.

What laws govern speeding and pedestrian safety in Florida?

Florida Statute §316.183 sets general speed limits and requires drivers to operate their vehicles at a “reasonable and prudent” speed for current conditions, not simply the posted limit. That means even driving 35 mph in a heavy-pedestrian area (such as a school zone) can be considered negligent if it endangers others.

In addition, Florida law establishes:

Lower limits in residential and school zones – Typically 20–25 mph when children or pedestrians are present.
Enhanced penalties for reckless driving – Defined under Florida Statute §316.192 as willful disregard for safety, which can lead to criminal charges.
Obligations at crosswalks and intersections – Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks, according to Florida Statute §316.130.

Speeding drivers who violate these statutes can serve as powerful evidence of negligence. A driver who speeds through a crosswalk or fails to yield to pedestrians clearly broke the law and should be held accountable for their actions.

Should I accept a settlement offer after a speeding-related pedestrian accident?

Insurance companies often move fast after a pedestrian accident, sometimes offering settlements before your injuries are fully diagnosed. It’s tempting to accept a quick payment, especially with mounting medical bills, but doing so can leave you financially vulnerable later.

Before accepting any offer, ask yourself:

Has my doctor confirmed my long-term prognosis?
Does the settlement cover future surgeries or rehabilitation?
Have I included all lost wages and future earning capacity?
Does the offer reflect the pain, trauma, and emotional impact of the crash?

Once you sign a release and accept a settlement offer, your case is closed forever, even if your medical condition gets worse and you need additional compensation in the future. An experienced attorney can review your settlement offer and help you decide if it truly covers all past, present, and future expenses related to your pedestrian accident.

Can I sue a speeding driver who caused my pedestrian accident?

Yes. If your injuries meet Florida’s serious injury threshold, you can file a civil lawsuit against the speeding driver seeking damages, the legal term for compensation for financial losses in cases involving negligence.

A lawsuit allows you to pursue full compensation beyond what insurance covers, including:

Medical expenses – Past, current, and future medical care.
Lost income – Wages you’ve missed and future earning potential.
Pain and suffering – Both physical and emotional trauma caused by the crash.
Permanent impairment – Compensation for reduced quality of life and long-term disability.
Punitive damages – In extreme cases, courts may impose additional damages to punish reckless behavior such as excessive speeding in school zones or construction areas.

A civil claim is separate from any criminal charges a driver faces for reckless or vehicular homicide. Regardless of the outcome of a criminal case, injured pedestrians have the right to seek compensation in civil court. So even if a speeding driver is not found guilty of criminal charges, your civil lawsuit can still go forward in pursuit of the money you rightfully deserve.

How much is a speeding-related pedestrian accident worth?

There’s no fixed formula for the value of a pedestrian injury claim. Every case depends on the unique circumstances of the crash, the severity of the injuries and the strength of the evidence proving negligence.

Common factors that can influence compensation include:

Medical costs – Emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment.
Lost income – Wages lost during recovery and any reduction in future earning capacity.
Permanent disability or disfigurement – Compensation for life-altering injuries.
Pain and emotional suffering – Physical pain, anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Property damage – Repair or replacement of personal items such as phones, watches, or mobility aids damaged in the crash.
Punitive damages – Awarded in rare cases involving extreme recklessness, such as street racing or driving at double the speed limit.

Some pedestrian accidents are worth a few thousand dollars. Others are worth significantly more. The bottom line is you should be compensated for all your financial losses, now and in the future.

What if the speeding driver denies fault?

Speeding drivers often claim they weren’t going too fast or that the pedestrian caused the accident. Fortunately, a skilled lawyer can uncover the truth. Key investigative steps often include:

Obtaining EDR and GPS data to verify actual speed.
Reviewing traffic camera footage or dashcam video showing vehicle movement.
Consulting accident reconstruction experts to analyze skid marks, damage, and braking distance.
Gathering witness statements and physical evidence from the scene.

Even without a driver’s admission of guilt, these facts can demonstrate that the driver was clearly speeding when they hit you. Denials rarely hold up against strong digital and physical proof. That’s why it’s important to have a skilled pedestrian accident attorney handling your case.

Why should I contact a Florida pedestrian accident lawyer?

Pedestrian accidents involving speeding drivers often result in catastrophic injuries — and complex legal battles. The clock is also running after your accident. Evidence can be lost or destroyed quickly. Eyewitnesses can be harder to locate over time. And insurance companies can be relentless, often pressuring injured pedestrians to accept a small settlement offer right away.

The Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo, P.A. represents victims of serious pedestrian crashes in Palm Beach County and throughout Florida. We know how to investigate every detail and regularly work with accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts to prove liability and document the full extent of your financial losses.

When you’re hit by a speeding driver, you deserve more than apologies. You deserve justice and the resources to rebuild your life. Contact us to learn more about your legal options. Schedule a free case review with a Palm Beach County pedestrian accident lawyer you can count on in a crisis.

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