Boca Raton Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrians are no match for multi-ton vehicles. If you’ve been hurt in a pedestrian accident, allow a Boca Raton pedestrian accident attorney to help you seek the compensation you deserve.

Pedestrians are generally granted the right-of-way, but that doesn’t keep some drivers from barreling into them at crosswalks or even on the sidewalk.

Because hardly any pedestrian expects to be hit by a motorist, most find themselves woefully unprepared for an accident, much less for one that results in serious, if not catastrophic, injuries.

Fortunately, injured pedestrians need not feel complete despair; personal injury law in Florida allows them to receive compensation for their various damages. To see what your case may be worth, contact a Boca Raton pedestrian accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo today.

Responsibilities of Pedestrians in Florida

Commonly overlooked in accidents involving pedestrians is the victims’ own legal responsibilities on public or private property, which include the following:

  • Following all signs and signals, including traffic lights and street markings
  • Using sidewalks to stroll, whenever possible
  • If no sidewalk is available, walking on the shoulder of the road, facing traffic

It is vitally important to follow Florida’s laws governing pedestrian behavior, not only for your own safety, but because failing to do so may make it more difficult to recover damages from the driver who hit you in Boca Raton.

Just for the sake of clarification, the Sunshine State defines a pedestrian as anyone traveling by foot, although similar laws apply to a host of other “vulnerable road users” (e.g., those riding skateboards or confined to a wheelchair).

In addition to following the law, pedestrians should follow a handful of smart safety practices, such as keeping a watchful eye (including looking both ways), wearing bright or reflective clothing, and avoiding texting while walking.

Responsibilities of Motorists in Boca Raton

Motorists are given more legal responsibilities than pedestrians in Florida, which makes sense when you consider the massive amount of physical harm their vehicles can cause.

In general, anyone behind the wheel is expected to exercise “ordinary, reasonable, or due care” toward all pedestrians, a standard that requires the driver to consider a pedestrian’s likely abilities or lack thereof.

Failing to meet this standard of care may result in a driver being implicated with legal liability, punishable in the form of owing economic and non-economic damages to the victim. In some cases, a driver deemed to have been purposeful or criminally negligent in your Boca Raton pedestrian accident may receive criminal charges.

Examples of reckless behavior could include driving under the influence, speeding through a red light, or street racing.

Should an accident result in a pedestrian dying or suffering a serious injury, all drivers involved are legally required to stop and remain at the scene of the collision. Violating this statute is considered a hit-and-run, which can lead to felony charges.

How Pedestrians Are Injured

Pedestrian accident victims may suffer from a wide variety of injuries, including any or all of the following:

  • A traumatic brain injury
  • Injury to the spine or back
  • Damage to the eyes or face
  • Traumatic amputations
  • Neck and shoulder injuries
  • Cuts and bruises
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Broken bones
  • Organ damage and internal bleeding

The most serious collisions may result in a Boca Raton pedestrian passing away from his or her injuries. Family members may pursue wrongful death compensation from the at-fault driver in cases like this.

Documenting Your Damages

To recover compensation for your damages, you have to prove the extent and types of harms you have suffered as a result of your Boca Raton pedestrian accident. Gathering evidence and documents will be an important part of this process, and it’s something your lawyer can help you with.

While the actual value of your claim will depend on various factors, you can get an idea of what you stand to recover by speaking with your attorney. You lawyer may advise you to seek compensation for the following in your Boca Raton pedestrian injury claim:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages while you recover
  • Lost future income due to a disability
  • Personal property damage
  • Emotional trauma
  • Pain and suffering
  • Reduced quality of life

Get in Touch with a Boca Raton Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Thousands of pedestrians are injured in the United States each year, but this statistic is likely to be nothing more than a number to those who haven’t been injured in a pedestrian accident. While compensation for your injuries may not always guarantee a full recovery, it can certainly help you get to a better state.

To increase your chance of receiving equitable compensation, contact a Boca Raton pedestrian accident lawyer at the Law Offices of Casey D. Shomo. Give us a call today at 561-659-6366 or reach out online via the contact form at the bottom of the page.