Being struck by a motor vehicle when you are crossing the street, or in any situation as a pedestrian, is a terrifying experience. You have no protection, and this type of accident can result in serious injury to an individual.
Orlando Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
We'll help you get the compensation you deservePedestrians are often overlooked by motor vehicle operators, and are extremely prone to being struck along the side of the road by drivers that are not paying close attention.
Even if you follow the pedestrian laws in your state, it does not always mean you will be safe. In the United States, around half of all pedestrian accidents occur as a result of the motor vehicle operator being under the influence of alcohol.
If you are struck by a motor vehicle while walking, you should contact a professional pedestrian accident lawyer to discuss how to pursue your legal claim.
The first thing you should do if you are struck by a motor vehicle is to ensure the quality of your health. Your health is your top priority, and should be treated as such. Once you are medically cleared, your next step should be to contact a lawyer.
When do most pedestrian accidents happen?
Pedestrian accidents can happen at any time, anywhere. However, certain situations make it more likely that a pedestrian will be struck by a motor vehicle. While some are unavoidable, you should be aware of these situations, and be on high alert when you are prone to an accident. These are the most common way pedestrians are involved in an accident:
Sidewalks are intended to be a safe route for pedestrians, but that is not always the case. If you are walking on the sidewalk, you should walk against the grain of traffic. This makes it easier to see the traffic coming at you, and allows more time to react to an accident. You should also attempt to walk on the portion of the sidewalk that is furthest away from the road, for the same reasons.
When crossing the street, always look both ways, then look again. Pedestrians are hard to spot, especially when motor vehicles are travelling at a high rate of speed. You should also consult with your local laws to ensure you are not violating a “jaywalking” law.
Traffic lights are high risk areas for pedestrians. You have multiple lanes of traffic, all travelling different directions. Not to mention, traffic lights are not impervious to malfunctions. All of this becomes even more dangerous when you throw in an individual that is travelling on foot.
What injuries might occur with pedestrian accidents?
As a pedestrian, the injuries that can occur when you are struck by a motor vehicle are an endless possibility. You are unprotected, and the severity of your injuries will usually depend on the size of the vehicle you are struck by, and how fast they were travelling. The most common injuries for pedestrians who are struck by a motor vehicle are:
Your body takes the most force of the impact, and due to the height of most motor vehicles, your ribs are a common impact point. Broken ribs are very painful, and can lead to more severe internal issues.
When an individual is about to be struck, the first thing they normally try to do is extend their arms to protect their body. When a motor vehicle strikes at a high rate of speed, the impact is likely to be greater than the strength of the bone. Pedestrians are also prone to broken arms because of the way they fall when struck.
As morbid as it sounds, death is very common when a motor vehicle strikes a pedestrian. An individual’s body is simply no match for a vehicle weighing thousands of pounds, travelling at a high rate of speed.
Florida Car Accident Lawyer Team is your strongest advocate
A pedestrian accident lawyer will be able to direct you with the right legal advice, and fight for your appropriate compensation. At Florida Accident Lawyer Team, we are dedicated to fighting for justice for pedestrians that are involved in motor vehicle accidents.
You can call any of our qualified pedestrian accident attorneys, or leave us the details of your claim via the contact form on our website. However you decide to reach our attorneys, we will begin building your case the moment we are contacted.