Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Tallahassee

Pedestrian-Vehicle Collisions in Leon County, Florida

Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed when crossing at intersections, walking through parking lots, and simply sharing the road with negligent and reckless motorists. Florida has been cited as one of the worst states when it comes to pedestrian safety. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles maintains a crash dashboard with statewide pedestrian crash data.

If you or someone you love was involved in a pedestrian accident in Leon County or the nearby areas, we at Shapiro Law Firm, P.A. are here to help. Since 1997, our firm has been representing seriously injured individuals, as well as the families of those wrongfully killed in devastating pedestrian-vehicle collisions. Our Tallahassee pedestrian accident attorney, Paul Shapiro, is an experienced trial lawyer who is not afraid to aggressively represent his clients’ rights. Our team understands the pain and trauma you have been through, and we are ready to help you meet the challenges ahead. Our goal is to pursue fair compensation and help you address the challenges ahead.

Contact us online or by phone at (850) 629-7226 today to get started with a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with our pedestrian accident lawyer in Tallahassee.

Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident

Seek medical evaluation after a pedestrian collision, even if you are unsure how seriously you were hurt. Follow medical instructions, report the crash, and preserve available information about the driver, witnesses, scene, and your injuries. Fractures, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries can require extensive treatment, and the full effect of an injury may not be clear immediately.

Keep photographs, medical records, contact information, and any details about where and how the collision occurred. Physical evidence, surveillance footage, witness recollections, and roadway conditions can change or disappear. Avoid guessing about fault or the full extent of your injuries when speaking with an insurer before receiving legal guidance.

Understanding Fault in Fatal Pedestrian Accidents

Motorists have a responsibility to exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians. This is because people on foot are entirely unprotected against the size and weight of a massive, fast-moving vehicle. When they are struck by cars, trucks, and even motorcycles, pedestrians often suffer catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Florida law requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians, and the circumstances of a collision can affect how fault is evaluated.

However, pedestrians also have certain responsibilities when it comes to sharing the road with motor vehicles. In Florida, pedestrians must obey certain laws intended to keep them and others safe.

Key Florida pedestrian laws you should know

• Pedestrians may have the right of way when crossing in marked or unmarked crosswalks, but drivers and pedestrians must follow the circumstances required by Florida pedestrian traffic laws
• When traffic control devices are in effect (signals, “do not walk/wait” signs, etc.), pedestrians must obey them and yield the right of way to vehicles accordingly
• If there are sidewalks available, pedestrians must use them and may not walk in or along the roadway when a sidewalk is present/available to use
• If there are no sidewalks available, pedestrians should walk along the roadway as far into the shoulder/left side of the road as possible, facing oncoming traffic
• Pedestrians must use overhead crossings and tunnels when present/available and must yield to vehicles when crossing roadways where designated pedestrian crossings are present
• Crossing between two adjacent intersections with traffic control signals in effect is prohibited unless in a marked crosswalk (commonly referred to as “jaywalking,” though that term does not appear in Florida statutes)
• Pedestrians may not cross intersections diagonally unless specific markers/traffic control devices are authorizing diagonal crossing
• No pedestrian may leave a place of safety (such as a curb or sidewalk) and enter the roadway when oncoming vehicles are too close/traveling too fast to yield the right of way
• Pedestrians may not stand in any portion of the road intended for vehicle use to solicit rides (hitchhike) or for the purpose of soliciting business or employment

Pedestrians who are found to have violated the law may be considered partially or even wholly responsible for accidents. Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence rules, an injured pedestrian’s recovery may be reduced by their percentage of fault. Under Florida Statute § 768.81, recovery is barred when the injured person is found to be more than 50% at fault. Deadlines and exceptions can depend on the claim, so prompt legal evaluation matters. We represent seriously injured people and families pursuing wrongful death claims after fatal pedestrian collisions.

Injuries & Damages in Pedestrian Accident Cases

Because pedestrians tend to sustain such severe injuries when they are hit by large, heavy motor vehicles, pedestrian accident cases tend to involve high-value damages. This means that insurance companies are even more likely to dispute or deny pedestrian accident claims than other types of personal injury claims involving less-severe injuries and lower-value damages.

After being struck by motor vehicles, pedestrians often suffer catastrophic bodily injuries, including but not limited to:

• Accidental amputation
• Broken bones/fractures
• Bruises/contusions
• Concussions
• Cuts, scrapes, and lacerations
• Internal bleeding
• Neck and back injuries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Soft tissue injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Whiplash

These and other serious injuries typically require immediate medical attention, as well as ongoing care, various treatments, and rehabilitation. Victims are often unable to return to work for weeks or even months. When their injuries are disabling, they may never be able to work again. This can lead to significant financial hardships for victims and their families. All of this is compounded by the physical pain and emotional trauma associated with these types of accidents.

At Shapiro Law Firm, P.A., we fight to help our clients recover fair compensation for all their damages, including: 

• Current and future medical expenses
• Current and future lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Lost earning ability
• Lost enjoyment of life
• In-home assistance and care costs

As your Tallahassee pedestrian accident lawyer, Attorney Shapiro will fight for you. Our team can help you understand your options after a devastating accident and begin building a case to protect your rights.

Insurance Disputes in Pedestrian Injury Claims

Insurance claims involving pedestrian injuries can become disputed over the right of way, driver and pedestrian conduct, injury severity, available coverage, and the value of future losses. Our practice focuses solely on plaintiff personal injury representation. We do not represent corporate or insurance interests.

Shapiro Law Firm, P.A. has represented injured people for more than 30 years and has handled more than 3,400 cases. For complex claims, we have access to physicians, economists, life-care planners, accident reconstruction engineers, and other expert witnesses. When litigation is necessary, we are prepared to take a pedestrian accident claim through trial.

Contact Our Firm for a Complimentary Consultation

At Shapiro Law Firm, P.A., we know the immense impact pedestrian accidents have on victims and their loved ones, and we have seen firsthand how a fair settlement or jury verdict can provide families with the financial resources they need to heal. We are proud to serve clients right here in our community and have spent more than 30 years fighting for the rights of ordinary individuals against the best interests of major insurance companies and other powerful entities.

If you have been injured or if your loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident in Tallahassee, Leon County, or the surrounding areas, turn to our team for the compassionate, aggressive representation you need.

Call our office today at (850) 629-7226 or submit a free online case evaluation form to get started with our Tallahassee pedestrian accident attorney.