Hollywood Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Pedestrian accidents are among the most devastating traffic collisions in Hollywood, simply because pedestrians are so vulnerable to cars, trucks, and other vehicles. I founded my Hollywood, FL law firm, Flaxman Law Group, to help people like pedestrians and others who have been catastrophically hurt. I have now handled thousands of cases, and some of the most devastating have been pedestrian crashes.
For example, I once represented a man who was hit by a speeding car in a crosswalk. He was in the hospital for two weeks and suffered two broken legs, leaving him unable to work and provide for his family. When he hired my law firm, I saw immediately that the insurance company didn’t want to pay. My law firm was willing to go all the way to court if that’s what it took, and we were able to convince the insurers to pay compensation. That money made a significant difference for my client, who was able to pay bills and take care of his health with the compensation he received.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Insurance companies often fight hard to avoid paying injured pedestrians. They claim that the pedestrian wasn’t crossing at the crosswalk, or was somewhere they shouldn’t be.
One reason insurers resist paying fair compensation in pedestrian injury cases is because the injuries in these situations tend to be devastating—and expensive. Unlike drivers and passengers who benefit from safety features such as airbags, seatbelts, and vehicle crumple zones, pedestrians are vulnerable to catastrophic injuries when struck by a car. Pedestrians are likely to suffer serious and life-changing injuries that require long-term treatment.
Even if an insurer is trying to deny you compensation, you can fight back with pedestrian accident lawyers in Hollywood, FL who can negotiate with insurance companies and build a strong case for you. If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident in Hollywood, Florida, or anywhere else in South Florida, contact Flaxman Law Group for a free consultation. In fact, you may want to call us first, before you even start negotiating with insurers, because we can start protecting your right to financial recovery right away.
What is a Pedestrian Accident?
When an individual who is walking, running, or standing on or near a roadway is struck by a motor vehicle, this is a pedestrian accident. These types of accidents can take place anywhere where vehicles and pedestrians share the road, including crosswalks, parking lots, streets, and even sidewalks.
There are different types of pedestrian accidents. The most common are intersection accidents, where a car accident happens because a car failed to respect a pedestrian’s right-of-way. Pedestrian accidents can also be road rage accidents, where a driver uses their vehicle to harm an individual. Workplaces are also common sites of pedestrian crashes. A truck accident involving pedestrians, for example, can happen in warehouses or on construction sites where commercial trucks share space with workers.
If you or someone you know has been involved in any type of pedestrian accident or traffic collision, it’s crucial to consult with pedestrian accident lawyers in Hollywood, FL. At Flaxman Law Group, we have recovered over $100 million for clients who have been injured. You’ll want to consult with attorneys before you sign any insurance documents or make any statements that could be used against you.
What To Do After a Hollywood Pedestrian Crash
The first thing you’ll want to do after a Hollywood pedestrian accident is to stay calm and get medical help. Even if you don’t initially feel hurt, some injuries, like internal bleeding or whiplash, may not be immediately apparent. Call 911 to get an ambulance if necessary, or go to the hospital to ensure that you’re properly assessed by medical professionals.
Here are some other things you’ll want to do to make sure you can seek fair compensation for your injuries:
- Document everything. If you physically can, try to gather evidence from the accident scene. Take photographs of the location, the vehicle involved, any visible injuries, and any contributing factors such as skid marks or damaged property. Collect contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident. Keep any receipts related to the accident, any communication from insurance companies, and keep a written record of what you remember about the accident.
- File a police report. The report will document important details about the crash, such as the location, time, involved parties, and possibly even the cause of the incident. This report can be important evidence when you pursue your claim.
- Avoid admitting fault. It’s natural to want to apologize or explain what happened, but avoid admitting fault for the accident. The driver and their insurance company may attempt to shift blame to you as the pedestrian, especially if you were not in a crosswalk or did not follow traffic signals. Let your lawyer sort out the details.
In addition, you will want to consult with pedestrian accident lawyers in Hollywood, FL, or your community. Unlike insurance companies, your lawyer is obligated to act in your best interests, and will pursue fair compensation for you.
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Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
In Florida, pedestrian accidents are a significant concern due to the state’s high population density, busy roads, and year-round favorable weather that encourages outdoor activities. There are many reasons why these types of crashes happen, including:
- Distracted driving. Drivers who use their phones, adjust the radio, or engage in other distractions are more likely to fail to notice pedestrians crossing the street. Distractions reduce a driver’s reaction time and their ability to spot pedestrians in time to avoid a crash. Even looking away from the road for a fraction of a second can be enough to cause a collision.
- Speeding. Drivers who speed may not have enough time to react to pedestrians who are crossing the road. The faster the vehicle is moving, the larger the force of the crash and the more likely a pedestrian will sustain severe or fatal injuries.
- Failure to yield right-of-way. Pedestrians have right-of-way in crosswalks. However, not all drivers follow this rule, and pedestrians can be struck when a vehicle doesn’t stop for them.
- Impaired driving. Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs may have impaired judgment, slower reflexes, and decreased attention, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
- Poor visibility. Pedestrian accidents are more likely to occur at night or during bad weather, such as rain or fog, which can limit visibility. In these situations, pedestrians are harder to spot, especially if they are wearing dark clothing or if the area lacks adequate lighting.
- Poor infrastructure. In some cases, pedestrian accidents happen due to unsafe road conditions such as inadequate crossing areas, lack of barriers between the road and pedestrians, poorly marked crosswalks, or broken traffic lights.
No matter why you think you were hit, you may want to consult with pedestrian accident lawyers in Hollywood, FL. If the cause of your accident involved negligence, you may be eligible for compensation. An attorney can investigate the cause of your accident and can file a claim for you so you can seek financial recovery.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Due to the lack of physical protection, pedestrians are more likely than drivers to suffer severe injuries in an accident. Common pedestrian accident injuries include:
- Fractures. Broken bones are a frequent injury in pedestrian accidents, particularly in the legs, arms, and pelvis, which is where a car will usually hit. These fractures may require surgery and rehabilitation, and can result in permanent disability.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). When a pedestrian is hit, they can easily fall down and hit their head. A TBI can lead to long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical problems, including memory loss, personality changes, difficulty concentrating, and loss of motor function.
- Spinal cord injuries. In a pedestrian accident, the spinal cord can be injured by direct impact from a car or from a fall. Injuries to the spine or spinal cord can result in partial or total paralysis, requiring lifelong care.
- Emotional trauma. The trauma of a pedestrian accident can lead to depression, sleep disorders, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.
- Soft tissue injuries. Sprains, strains, whiplash and ligament tears can occur when the body is abruptly thrown. These injuries can cause significant pain and may require months of therapy.
- Internal injuries. Pedestrians can suffer internal injuries, such as damage to the organs, liver, or spleen, when hit with force. They can also suffer life-threatening internal bleeding.
- Amputations. In severe cases, a pedestrian’s limbs may be so badly injured that they need to be amputated. This type of injury can cause permanent disability and require costly prosthetics for the rest of a person’s life.
After being hit by a vehicle in a motorcycle accident, car collision, or any vehicle accident, it’s important not to self-evaluate. Always get checked out at the emergency room or in an urgent care clinic as soon as possible to rule out serious injury.
Insurance Coverage for Florida Pedestrian Accidents
When it comes to pedestrian accidents, insurance can be complicated. Florida is a no-fault state, which means that after an accident, individuals typically must turn to their own insurance coverage to pay for medical bills, regardless of who was at fault. For pedestrians, this can present challenges, as they may not have automobile insurance.
If you’re in a truck accident or car accident as a pedestrian, you may be able to turn to the at-fault driver’s insurance to seek coverage. This is the best option if you don’t drive and don’t have your own insurance. If you are a driver, your own insurance company may be able to help.
In these situations, however, don’t be surprised if insurers are not cooperative. Since insurance in these types of collisions is more complicated, you may want to turn to pedestrian accident lawyers in Hollywood, FL who can negotiate with insurers and get you compensation.
Types of Compensation in a Pedestrian Accident
In a pedestrian accident claim, you may file an insurance company or a lawsuit against liable parties to recover the costs you face as a result of your injuries. You may be able to seek compensation for:
- All reasonable medical expenses related to your injury, including expected future medical bills.
- Lost wages, including expected future lost earnings, if your injury leaves you unable to work.
- Pain and suffering.
- Disability and disfigurement.
- Incidental costs, such as the costs associated with making your home accessible.
If a pedestrian dies as a result of a traffic accident, their family may be entitled to wrongful death compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, loss of financial contributions, and other related damages.
Who Is Liable for a Pedestrian Accident in Hollywood, Florida?
Liability refers to who is legally responsible for your injuries and losses. This is also known as the at-fault party. There may be multiple liable parties in your case. The most obvious is any driver who violated traffic laws or was otherwise negligent and caused the accident.
However, government entities can also be held liable if poor road conditions or inadequate traffic signals contributed to the accident. If your accident happened in a parking lot or another type of private property, the owner of the property can be held liable.
It’s important to determine who the liable parties are in your case so you can pursue any liable parties and get fair compensation. After all, pedestrian accidents can be life-changing. Getting the compensation you deserve means you don’t have to dip into your savings or face financial worries as well.
Don’t wait—contact Flaxman Law Group today for a free consultation and take the first step toward seeking compensation. Our attorneys take care of all the details, from helping you find a doctor and a rental car to handling communications with insurance companies. We take the stress off your shoulders.
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