Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Serving Sunrise
Pedestrian safety is an issue that affects everyone. Whether you are a driver, a pedestrian, or simply living in the community, pedestrian accidents can impact your life. A skyrocketing number of pedestrian accidents can lead to greater insurance premiums for drivers, higher taxes for residents, and increased fatalities and injuries caused by reckless driving.
In addition to the financial consequences of pedestrian accidents, there are emotional costs. Every time someone is injured or killed by a vehicle while walking or cycling, their family and community suffer with them—losing someone to a preventable accident is mentally and emotionally devastating.
You can be part of the solution by understanding the consequences of pedestrian accidents in Sunrise, Florida—not just to drivers but to the entire community. You can join advocates in calling for increased road safety measures, such as better sidewalks and crosswalks, more bike lanes, and enhanced traffic laws prioritizing pedestrian safety over speed limits and convenience.
What Are My Legal Rights as A Pedestrian Who Was Hit by A Car in Florida?If you were hit by a car while walking in Florida, you may be eligible to receive compensation for any injuries or damages resulting from the accident. Fortunately, this state has laws designed to protect pedestrians and help them recover from any damages caused.
Your legal rights as a pedestrian in Florida vary depending on the facts of your case. Generally speaking, though, according to Florida statutes, pedestrians can cross roads and streets at marked or unmarked crosswalks and other intersections, provided they yield to motor vehicles when necessary.
In addition, pedestrians have the right of way at unmarked crossings when crossing between two intersections less than one block apart. If you're hit by a car while walking in Florida due to someone else's negligence or recklessness, they did not yield the right of way to you when they were supposed to.
What Should I Do Immediately Following the Accident?Taking quick action is important to protect your rights and well-being if you're a pedestrian involved in an accident. To ensure you have the strongest claim possible, you should take the following steps while at the scene of the accident:
- Seek medical attention. Even if you don't believe you've been injured, it's important to be examined by a medical professional as soon as possible after an accident. You may be experiencing symptoms that will become more severe over time, which is why it's so important to be checked out right away.
- Exchange information with anyone else involved in the accident and document any information about the location and circumstances of the crash. Obtaining contact information from witnesses or anyone else at the scene can also be beneficial if there are discrepancies in your accounts of what happened.
- Contact an experienced pedestrian accident attorney who can evaluate your case and help protect your rights. An attorney can guide you through complex legal procedures and advise on how best to proceed so you can receive full compensation for your damages.
By following these steps immediately after an accident, pedestrians can ensure their rights and best interests are protected when filing a claim or pursuing legal action against a negligent driver or other party involved in the incident.
Do I Need to Seek Medical Attention, Even If I Don't Feel Injured?When filing a pedestrian accident claim, one of the most important things you need to know is whether or not you need to seek medical attention. It may be tempting to walk away from the incident if you don't feel any injuries at that moment, but it's always a good idea to get checked out by a medical professional.
Even if you don't have any visible injuries, there could be hidden issues occurring—for instance, adrenaline or shock can mask certain symptoms and make you feel like everything is okay. It's important for your physical health and your case that you visit the doctor as soon as possible. With an official medical report, your case will have stronger evidence proving your accident's severity and resulting injuries.
Additionally, seeing a doctor will help ensure that future medical costs related to the accident are covered when filing for compensation—so don't skip out on visiting a physician and getting necessary treatment.
Should I Call the Police and File a Report?If you were involved in a pedestrian accident in Sunrise, Florida, you should first call the police and file a report. This is important because the information in the report can be used as evidence if you choose to file a claim later on.
When filing your report, include all the details about the incident and all parties involved. Include information about visible damages, insurance policies, contact information for witnesses, and any other relevant details. If you do not have all this information available when filing your report, it may still be possible to include it later.
Additionally, if you have any physical injuries from the accident, document those as well. Taking pictures can be especially useful for this type of proof, so be sure to take pictures at the scene if possible.
Finally, take notes throughout this process to keep track of everything that happens during the investigation. This can help when filing a claim later on and will provide a timeline of events should additional evidence become available or questions arise regarding when certain events occurred.
Should I Speak to The Driver Who Hit Me?Deciding whether to talk to the driver who hit you can be intimidating, but it's important to know that there are benefits and drawbacks before you make a decision.
Benefits
Would speaking to the driver help your case? In certain scenarios, like if there were witnesses, you might not need to speak with the driver. However, if you need additional information or evidence, speaking with the driver may give you some of the answers you seek. It may also allow you to confirm any facts your witnesses have shared about the accident.
Drawbacks
One potential drawback of speaking with the driver is that they may try to get information from you, which could hurt your case—for instance, if they ask questions about how much pain you're in, they could use this as evidence against you in court.
Additionally, some drivers may be hostile or uncooperative during a conversation. It is important to remember that, in most cases, it is not necessary for you to engage in discussion with them. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to speak with the driver is yours and yours alone—make sure you're fully aware of all of your options before making your choice.
Should I Talk to The Driver's Insurance Company?When filing a pedestrian accident claim in Florida, you may be tempted to speak to the driver's insurance company. After all, they're responsible for covering the damages, right?
Not necessarily. In Florida, there is a law that stipulates that you are allowed to speak directly with the driver's insurance company without a lawyer present as long as both parties agree. However, it is important to remember that you have no obligation to do so, and it is often not in your best interest.
If you do choose to communicate directly with the insurance company, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Don't provide any information beyond what is required by law - Be careful not to provide too much personal information or any details about your injuries or medical history. Stick only to the details required by law, and don't give any additional information that could be used against you.
- Be clear and concise - Don't ramble when speaking with an insurance adjuster; instead, be clear and concise when answering any questions, they may ask.
- Don't sign anything without consulting a lawyer - Insurance companies can use anything you sign against you during your case, so it's best not to sign anything without consulting with a lawyer first.
- Keep records of all communication - It's important to keep detailed records of all communication between yourself and the insurer so that if any discrepancies arise, you can prove what was said or agreed upon at each step in the process.
It's always best practice to consult with an attorney before communicating with an insurance company when filing a pedestrian accident claim in Florida, as doing so can.
Should I Sign Anything from The Driver's Insurance Company?If you're a pedestrian in Florida and get hit by a car, the driver's insurance company might contact you soon afterward.
You may be worried that signing any document from them could take away your rights or adversely affect any claims you make. It's always best to consult an experienced pedestrian accident attorney before signing anything related to your accident.
Here are a few reasons why:
- The insurance company could attempt to settle with you quickly to limit their financial liability or push misinformation on you that can later be used against you in court. Don't agree to any settlement without understanding how much it is worth and your rights under the law.
- Insurance companies will often add words and clauses that favor them, so it's important to have a lawyer ensure that the agreement's content is fair and beneficial for your case.
- When an insurance company offers to pay medical bills upfront, they may expect those costs to be reimbursed if they don't win the case after a lawsuit is filed—so make sure to consult with a lawyer before accepting money from them.
If the driver who hit you is not present or fled the scene, you still have grounds to file a pedestrian accident claim in Florida. Many drivers flee the scene of an accident without stopping—but that doesn't mean you can't get compensation for your injuries.
No-fault insurance states
Florida is a "no-fault" state when it comes to insurance, meaning that each driver's insurance company covers their own driver's medical bills and expenses related to their injuries—regardless of who caused the accident.
This means that even if a driver has fled the scene, their insurance company will still have to pay compensation as long as they can prove they were at fault. That's why it is important to get as much information as possible about the fleeing car: make, model, license plate number, address, and contact details if possible.
Uninsured motorist coverage
If you cannot get any information about the car or the motorist, you can claim your own "uninsured motorist coverage." This kind of policy pays out if an uninsured motorist hits you—so it can be useful in these situations.
It is also important to remember that an uninsured motorist does not necessarily mean an unidentified one—so don't give up on finding out who has caused your accident just because they have left the scene!
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Claim?Did you know Florida has a statute of limitations for filing pedestrian accident claims? This means you only have a certain amount of time to take legal action after being involved in a pedestrian accident.
Under Florida law, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. It's important to note that it's in your best interest to file a claim immediately after the accident; the longer you wait, the more difficult it may be.
Additionally, remember that just because it may take time before getting compensated by an insurance company doesn't mean your statute of limitations will be extended. That's why speaking with an attorney and getting started on your claim as soon as possible is important.
How Can I Obtain Evidence for My Claim?When filing a pedestrian accident claim, you'll need as much evidence as possible to back up your case. The more evidence you can provide, the better your chances are of getting the compensation you're entitled to. So, what kind of evidence can you collect?
Police Report
The most important type of evidence for a pedestrian accident claim is the police report. This document usually includes information like the date and time of the accident, who was involved, and any details collected from the scene.
Pictures and Videos
If possible, take pictures and videos of the accident scene to demonstrate its seriousness. It's also a good idea to take pictures of any visible injuries that may have been sustained in the accident so that you can show them to your insurance provider or lawyer.
Eyewitness Statements
Eyewitness statements are usually very valuable in pedestrian accidents because they provide additional details not written down in a police report. If there were any witnesses at the scene, ask them if they'd be willing to write down their testimonies to use them as further evidence in your claim.
Medical Records
Finally, if you sustained any injuries during the accident, make sure that you keep all medical records related to them since these will help prove how serious they were and what kind of treatment was necessary for recovery.
You may be wondering; can I receive compensation for lost wages and future earnings after a pedestrian accident in Florida? The answer is yes – but unfortunately, it isn't always guaranteed. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may miss work for days, weeks, or even months.
And if you sustain long-term injuries or disabilities, you could be out of work for much longer. Fortunately, you may be able to file a claim for both current and future lost wages. To prove your eligibility for compensation, make sure to:
- Gather necessary documents that prove your employment status, such as pay stubs, contracts, or any other documents related to your job.
- Keep records of the medical treatments you've received and the amount paid for these treatments by your insurance provider or yourself (if uninsured).
- Gather documentation outlining any medical tests or procedures recommended by health professionals that were not completed due to financial constraints (make sure these documents are dated).
- Collect documents proving any changes in lifestyle due to disability caused by the accident, such as education materials related to vocational training, etc., as well as doctors' records of any temporary or permanent disability resulting from the accident.
- Have a professional economist evaluate your injury's economic impact on current and future earning capacity so that this can be considered when requesting payments for lost wages and future earnings.
Experienced attorneys will guide you through each step of filing your lawsuit and taking legal action against the responsible party.
Contact Frankl Kominsky Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Serving SunriseAccidents happen; when they do, you want the best pedestrian accident lawyers. Enter Frankl Kominsky, a team of highly experienced attorneys that have been proudly serving Sunrise for many years. If you've been injured in a pedestrian accident, call us at (561) 800-8000. We are here to help you in any way we can!
At Frankl Kominsky, we understand the importance of providing personalized attention to every case we handle. This is why we provide clients with an attorney dedicated to their case - so you can rest assured that your situation is our priority. We also promise attentive service and open communication throughout your legal case so you know what to expect from us.
When it comes time for negotiations or a trial, our professional attorneys will use their expertise and skill set to maximize your claim settlement and negotiate with insurance adjusters. Additionally, our firm employs investigatory skills to thoroughly understand your legal problem so we can find out who is responsible for the injuries sustained.
Contact Frankl Kominsky today—we will do whatever it takes to get justice for victims of pedestrian accidents in Sunrise!