Bradenton Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

During the past decade, pedestrian accident fatalities have increased by 53%, while fatalities from all other traffic accidents have increased by only 2%. Whether due in part to general population growth, more people walking, or more motor vehicle traffic, this increase is alarming, especially since Florida consistently ranks first among all of the states as the most dangerous for pedestrians.

In Manatee County alone, there were 712 pedestrian accidents and 59 fatalities just last year. Sadly, many of these accidents could have been avoided if the motor vehicle drivers involved in the crashes had been following Florida’s traffic laws and rules for safe driving.

If you or a family member has been injured in one of these pedestrian accidents, you may be able to hold the negligent party accountable and obtain compensation for the damages suffered. Talking with an experienced Bradenton pedestrian accident lawyer can help you decide upon your best course of action.

For the past twenty-five years, the trusted pedestrian accident lawyers of Dennis Hernandez & Associates, PA have helped hundreds of accident victims and their families throughout Florida get the compensation they deserve. We want to hear about your accident and help you get compensated fully and fairly for your injuries, pain and suffering.

Reasons Why Pedestrian Accidents Occur

Most pedestrian accidents are not caused by pedestrians, but rather, by someone driving a car, truck or bus. In general, the accidents occur when drivers are not being careful, as in:

• Not driving cautiously in a residential area
• Not yielding to a pedestrian crosswalk
• Not coming to a complete stop at a traffic light or sign
• Texting while driving or being distracted by something else
• Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Driving while drowsy
• Speeding

To avoid hitting pedestrians, traffic safety experts recommend the following safety guidelines:

• Drive very slowly when turning or driving through a crosswalk.
• Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
• Always be on the look-out for pedestrians.
• Be especially cautious when it’s hard to see your surroundings, such as during bad weather or at night.
• Never drive while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
• Always adhere to established speed limits, paying special attention to slower speed limits in school zones and in residential areas where there are children.
• Be extra cautious when backing up.

Responsibility for Bradenton Pedestrian Accidents

In Bradenton and throughout Florida, motorists and pedestrians are both responsible for following traffic safety and rules. For example, when there is a crosswalk at an intersection, motor vehicles have to yield to a pedestrian once the pedestrian is in the crosswalk, whether or not there is a crossing signal. If, on the other hand, there is no designated crosswalk, a pedestrian must yield to a vehicle when crossing the street.

Sometimes people driving motor vehicles are clearly responsible for pedestrian accidents. Other times, the fault is shared by both the pedestrian and the motorist. In these cases, an injured pedestrian may still be entitled to compensation, since Florida is a comparative fault state that allows proportional payment.

Compensation for Bradenton Pedestrian Accident Victims

If you or a family member has been injured in a Bradenton pedestrian accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries. This compensation could include:

• Cost of present and future medical treatments, including emergency services, hospital bills, diagnostic imaging, surgery, post-operative care, travel to and from doctors, prescriptions, medical equipment and rehabilitation.
• Lost income – Income lost for time off work because of injuries from the accident.
• Decreased earning ability – Decreased or lost earning capacity because injuries from the accident prevent returning to your job or seeking one that pays as well.
• Physical pain and emotional suffering – Pain, stress, trauma, and emotional problems due to the accident.
• Diminished quality of life – Decreased ability to enjoy life.
• Loss of consortium with a spouse – Loss of companionship and support.
• Other economic and non-economic damages applicable in specific cases under Florida law

Fatal Injuries from a Bradenton Pedestrian Accident

If you lost a family member in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation as the claimant in a wrongful death lawsuit. A lawsuit can’t really compensate for the loss of a loved one, but it can give a sense of justice and provide financial help with actual expenses, such as medical bills and burial costs, as well as compensation for your suffering and loss of companionship and support.

Bradenton Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Will Fight for Your Rights

If you or a family member has been injured in a pedestrian accident, please contact the experienced lawyers at Dennis Hernandez & Associates as soon as possible. We are committed to helping accident victims achieve justice and get compensated fairly for their injuries and want to help you.

We will support you through the entire legal process – from investigating the accident and gathering evidence, to filing a lawsuit, to going to trial. Many personal injury lawyers try to avoid going to trial by settling early with insurance companies, but we won’t. Instead, we will put our extensive trial experience and expert litigation skills to work fighting in court for the compensation you deserve.

Call us at 855-LAW-DENNIS or fill in the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on our website to get started on your case.

 

Sources:

Smart Growth American. (2020). Dangerous by design.
https://smartgrowthamerica.org/app/uploads/2020/01/DbD-2020-Report.pdf

Smart Growth America. (2019). Dangerous by design.
https://smartgrowthamerica.org/dangerous-by-design/

U.S. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (n.d.). Pedestrian safety. https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety