Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer Gainesville 

Pedestrian Accidents

Most people don’t consider walking to be a hazard to their health. However, it can lead to serious injury or death. The danger isn’t from a heart attack or dehydration. Rather, it comes from vehicles on the road. A negligent driver can hit a pedestrian and cause significant damage. In fact, there were nine pedestrian fatalities in Gainesville in 2017.

Florida is one of the most dangerous places for fatalities. Thousands of pedestrians have died on Florida streets, and thousands more have suffered from injuries. If you or someone you love is a victim of a pedestrian accident, you should contact a pedestrian accidents lawyer in Gainesville. They can take on your case and seek compensation for your suffering.

The Sad Reality of Pedestrian Accidents

You might think that a pedestrian fatality can only happen when a vehicle is traveling at a high speed. But that’s not the case. Even if a vehicle is traveling slowly, it can cause the death of a pedestrian. The problem isn’t always the impact of the crash, but the impact of the victim’s head on the asphalt. Whether a car is traveling slow or fast, there is a high potential for death or injury.

A person has almost no protection against a vehicle. No matter how small a car might be, it weighs much more than a person. Upon impact, the person could suffer serious injuries. As mentioned above, the impact a person experiences upon hitting the ground or another object can also do damage.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

An accident victim can experience one or multiple injuries. The possibilities include the following:

  • Spinal cord injury
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Internal bleeding
  • Back pain
  • Lacerations
  • Broken bones
  • Bruises

Although a victim might survive, the injuries can endure through time. For instance, an accident victim could experience chronic headaches or permanent paralysis. 

Types of Pedestrian Accidents in Gainesville

There are several types of Gainesville pedestrian accidents. While there are many other types of accidents, these are the most common:

Dart Out Accidents

Sometimes, the driver isn’t to blame for the accident. This is often the case in dart-out accidents. The pedestrian could quickly appear in the road, giving the driver no time to stop. However, this might not be the fault of the pedestrian. The driver’s view could have been obscured by an overgrown shrub, or a lack of signage could have left him unprepared for the crosswalk. There could be other parties responsible for the accident.

Intersection Accidents

At busy crosswalks, pedestrians usually have a traffic signal directing them when to walk. But that signal may not always be correct. If it is mistimed, a pedestrian and a car could have the right of way at the same time. The driver may not be able to react to the pedestrian.

Passing Accidents

Sometimes, drivers are in too much of a rush to stop for anything. For example, a car might stop in an attempt to allow a pedestrian to cross the street. But an impatient driver could change lanes to rush in front of the stopped vehicle. The driver may not see the pedestrian, and it could be too late to stop for them.

Turn and Merge Accidents

Turning and merging can be difficult on busy roads. Therefore, a driver may focus so much on the traffic pattern that they fail to see a pedestrian. As they speed up to merge or make their turn, they could find themselves face to face with a pedestrian.

Back-Up Accidents

While backing up, a driver might not notice a pedestrian. They could be too busy looking for other cars, or too eager to start backing up. Typically, this type of accident occurs in driveways and parking lots.  

Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Gainesville. Although texting and driving is usually the culprit, people are also guilty of talking to passengers, eating, reading, and changing the radio while driving. Even daydreaming is considered a distraction. It takes your mind away from the task of driving.

Distracted drivers can’t react to other drivers on the road, let alone a pedestrian. They are unlikely to see you and could easily cause an accident.

Drunk Driving

A drunk driver has the odds stacked against them. When a driver has alcohol in their system, they make bad decisions. They also can have impaired vision and slow reaction times. This puts pedestrians at risk. In fact, many pedestrian fatalities are caused by drunk drivers every year.

How to Get Compensation for Your Accident

The medical expenses associated with your accident can be overwhelming. But you don’t need to pay for everything on your own. Every driver in Florida is required to have personal injury protection. With it, they have a minimum of $10,000 in insurance coverage. If you file a claim against the driver, you can recover money for your expenses. This includes your medical bills, wages from missed days of work, and nursing services. 

You may also be able to receive money for your loss of enjoyment and pain and suffering. For instance, you could lose the ability to walk. Your permanent disability will have a profound impact on your life. However, your loss of enjoyment makes you entitled to more compensation. 

If the other party’s insurance company does not cover your expenses, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is a civil lawsuit that can get you money for your losses. However, it is not a criminal lawsuit. If the driver was guilty of drunk driving or another illegal act, the lawsuit will not result in jail time. There would need to be criminal charges for them to receive fines or jail time for their actions.

Often, the journey to receive compensation is fraught with challenges. The insurance company could be reluctant to pay you. If you’re filing a personal injury claim, the process is even more challenging. You need someone who has experience with personal injury law in Gainesville. Here at Abercrombie, P.A., we have what it takes to handle your case. Contact us today and we can get started.