West Palm Beach Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Walking around in sunny West Palm Beach is an enjoyable way to exercise and commute for many local residents. With such a lovely climate, Florida is ideal for pedestrians to step out and about on a regular basis. Unfortunately, pedestrians are vulnerable to risks on and near the roads. Because of this, pedestrians are at risk of serious injury due to an auto accident.
Have you been recently hurt in a pedestrian accident? If so, call the experienced West Palm Beach pedestrian accident attorneys at Pike & Lustig, LLP. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries and other damages.
Florida Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, thousands of pedestrian accidents occur each year. The latest data reveal the following Florida pedestrian accidents statistics from 2010:
Pedestrian crashes: 7,894
Pedestrians injured: 7,290
Pedestrians killed: 499
With so many pedestrian accidents occurring each year, West Palm Beach residents should be aware of their legal options after a pedestrian accident. More often than not, pedestrian accidents involve a motor vehicle. Distracted and impaired driving often contribute to such accidents. Driving at high speeds and ignoring road rules and regulations can also create dangerous conditions for nearby pedestrians. When a driver’s negligence or recklessness causes pedestrian injury, that driver may be liable to compensate the victim for their damages.
The Creation of a Society That Disenfranchises Pedestrians and Vulnerable Road Users
Our society has transformed into an automobile utopia over the last century, thanks to laws against pedestrian street usage, large subsidies on oil, and a car culture that represented the American dream. There are now fewer places to get around on foot in cities due to wider surface streets, laws hindering pedestrians’ right to the road, and the vast amount of parking places that exist in this country. In fact, the U.S. has about one billion parking places, which add up to a total square mileage greater than the state of Connecticut, according to a 2011 study by the University of Berkeley. What does this mean in terms of pedestrian collisions? We have created infrastructure that allows high powered, heavy automobiles to travel fast and unencumbered with vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, and in doing so, have pushed out the legal rights of pedestrians as well as the perceived idea that pedestrians have a right to the road, let alone the right of way. Because of this, drivers do not look out for pedestrians nearly as carefully as they should, and often feel that pedestrians are slowing them down. While many pedestrian injuries that are the fault of the vehicle are caused by distracted or drunk drivers, some are based in aggression. If you have been injured by an aggressive driver, contact an attorney at once to discuss your legal options.
Frequent Causes of West Palm Beach Pedestrian Accidents
It turns out that alcohol has a lot to do with pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2013, 34 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents involved a pedestrian with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or greater. In these cases, some or all of the blame (negligence) may lie with the pedestrian. However, in 15 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents, the driver was intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or greater, meaning they would be held liable. In addition to blood alcohol content, another major contributing factor to pedestrian fatalities is lack of daylight. 72 percent of fatal pedestrian accidents occurred in the dark. This does not mean that the pedestrian was crossing illegally or in any way in the wrong. It is the driver’s duty to cause no harm, and if they did not see the pedestrian because it was dark, they were traveling too fast, or they were distracted, they can still be held liable for the collision and for paying damages to the pedestrian victim or the victim’s family.
Pedestrian Fatalities and Injuries Occur Everywhere
Most fatal pedestrian accidents happen in urban areas. Some happen in intersections where the pedestrian is crossing in a crosswalk, while many more happen in parking lots, driveways while the car is pulling out, bike lanes, shoulders of the road, loading zones, on the curb or sidewalk, and even while entering or exiting a vehicle. Everyone is a pedestrian at some point.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
In motor vehicle/pedestrian accidents, the pedestrians are often injured. Obviously, pedestrians, unlike drivers, are not protected by airbags, seatbelts, and thousands of pounds of steel. Thus, when a car and pedestrian collide, the pedestrian often sustains serious injuries. Tragically, these accidents can even result in the pedestrian’s death. Children are particularly vulnerable to pedestrian accidents because they are not used to watching out for traffic, and may be harder for drivers to see.
Pedestrians often suffer dangerous physical injuries in car-on-pedestrian accidents. Common injuries may include:
- Broken bones;
- Torn ligaments;
- Cuts;
- Blood loss;
- Concussion;
- Whiplash;
- Spinal injuries;
- Neck injuries;
- Loss of limb; and
- Emotional damage.
- In some cases, a pedestrian accident may even result in death.
If you have suffered any of the above injuries due to a pedestrian accident, contact a reputable West Palm Beach personal injury attorney right away. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Experienced West Palm Beach Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Have you been injured in a pedestrian accident? If so, do not wait to call Pike and Lustig, LLP today. Our experienced West Palm Beach pedestrian accident attorneys will answer your questions and will explain your legal options. We do not back down from a fight, and we will aggressively represent you in and out of the courtroom. When it comes to personal injury cases, time is not on your side. State law often imposes strict deadlines for filing civil lawsuits, so contact our experienced accident attorneys now. We will aggressively fight to represent your interests. We have helped many accident victims recover compensation. Our dedication to our clients sets us apart from all others. Call us today at 561-291-8298 to speak to our lawyers about your case.
