Does Florida have a lot of pedestrian incidents?

Florida is now known for being the second-most dangerous state for pedestrians in America, after California. There were more than 8,000 pedestrian accidents in Florida in 2020 and over 700 deaths. The number of fatalities from these accidents increased by 31% in the year following. Many of these deaths and injuries were preventable.

What is a "legal" pedestrian?

Florida considers anyone who travels on foot, by skateboard, by rollerblade, or in a wheelchair a pedestrian. Although some laws overlap, Florida does not consider bicyclists as pedestrians. These laws are both pedestrian and traffic laws. However, they don't prevent serious accidents from occurring.

Why are there so many pedestrian incidents in Florida?

A combination of factors unique to states like Florida and California cause more pedestrian accidents in each of their respective states. These factors include warmer weather (more people outside), massive tourism, larger vehicles, faster and larger highways, drug and alcohol use, and a high rate of elderly pedestrians.

What are the common results of pedestrian incidents?

Some common results of pedestrian incidents include but are not limited to concussions, broken bones, paralysis, wrongful death, and internal organ damage.

What are Florida's no-fault insurance laws?

Florida's current law requires policyholders to have $10,000 of personal injury protection. This coverage covers medical expenses incurred by the insured, regardless of fault. It is also known as "no-fault."

Will my insurance company pay me the full settlement of what I am owed for a pedestrian accident?

Insurance companies are hugely profitable businesses. Insurance companies are large profitable organizations that make money off lowballing holders. Sometimes, the accident victim ends up being the loser in this scenario. The insurance company will offer you a settlement, but it may not be fair. Fair compensation is often negotiated. An attorney can help injury victims recover more money in settlements than those who don't have representation. Before you agree to a settlement from an insurance company, it is important that you consult an experienced Miami pedestrian accident attorney.

What should I do immediately after an accident?

To maximize your recovery chances, there are some things you should do immediately after an accident. You should write down all details about the accident and get contact information from witnesses. Also, preserve and gather evidence. Get medical treatment. Contact a knowledgeable pedestrian accident attorney with questions.

What do I do if I'm a pedestrian in a hit-and-run accident?

Notifying the police is the most important thing that you can do in a hit-and-run case. The police must be on the scene and create a report. They will also need to investigate what may have happened. They can help identify the vehicle involved in an accident by providing as much information as possible, such as its make, model, license plate, and color.

How can I contact Charlip Law Group L.C.?

If you need the help of a Miami personal injury lawyer, you can call us at (305) 354-9313. You can also send us an email at dcharlip@charliplawgroup.com. Another way to contact us is by filling up the contact form on our website at https://charliplawgroup.com/contact-us/

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Q: What damages are available to pedestrian accident victims?

The 3 available damage reimbursements are economic damages, non-economic damages such as depression or PTSD, and punitive damages which serve to "send a message" to other drivers.

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Florida is known for many things, but injured pedestrians should not be one of them. And yet Florida has become known as one of the deadliest states in the nation for pedestrians, right behind California. In 2020 alone, there were over 8,000 accidents in the state involving pedestrians, with over 700 fatalities. Fatalities in these accidents jumped by 31 percent the following year. Unfortunately, many of these accidents and the injuries and deaths they caused were entirely preventable.

Florida pedestrian accidents can result in serious injury, costing tens of thousands and sometimes millions of dollars for pedestrian accident victims. The most heartbreaking take the lives of loved ones, leaving the family behind to pick up the pieces. If you or a family member has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Miami, you should not have to face it alone. The Miami pedestrian accident attorneys at the Charlip Law Group bring decades of experience to the table to ensure that accident victims get compensated fairly for their injury.

Call us today at (305) 354-9313 to schedule a free consultation.

Who is Considered a Legal Pedestrian in Florida?

In the state of Florida, anyone traveling on foot, skateboard, rollerblade, or wheelchair is considered a pedestrian. While some laws overlap, bicyclists are not considered pedestrians in Florida. Traffic and pedestrian laws have been implemented for the safety of pedestrians and motorists alike, and yet they still don’t prevent these serious accidents from happening.

Why Are There So Many Pedestrian Accidents In Florida?

Pedestrian accidents are on the rise around the nation. But what makes Florida such a deadly place for individuals on foot? Many reasons exist, including:

Weather - One reason is the weather that allows for outdoor activities. Our weather encourages far more people to move about on foot and increases the likelihood of accidents. With the explosion in our population, congestion caused by more people and vehicles sharing the roadways creates a significant opportunity for accidents to happen.
Tourism – Our state sees an incredible amount of tourist traffic each year. It has been estimated that over 122 million tourists visited Florida in 2021 alone. This means an exponential increase in traffic on our highways, particularly among those who are unfamiliar with our highways and roads.
Vehicle sizes - Over the years, people have chosen larger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs. With a higher profile and heavier body, accidents involving pedestrians can be particularly deadly.
Distracted driving - now the number one cause of accidents on our roads, distracted drivers – and distracted pedestrians – make for a deadly combination.
Alcohol and drug use - Because of our tourist population, many people here are navigating the roads in “vacation mode.” This can mean more alcohol and drug consumption by motorists and pedestrians alike.
Faster and broader roadways - Highways and even local roadways have become more car-centric and less pedestrian-friendly over the years. This leads to faster traffic patterns and wider roads that pedestrians must navigate
Elderly pedestrians - Florida has one of the highest populations of adults over the age of 65. Older adults and children are especially at risk in settings where they must navigate the roads alongside motor vehicles.
Speeding and unsafe driving - Despite our strict motor vehicle laws in Florida, the majority of pedestrian accidents are caused by reckless driving.
New quieter cars - New electric cars make far less noise than their gas engine counterparts, and pedestrians often fail to notice them until it’s too late.
Pedestrian error - Pedestrians who fail to follow Florida’s pedestrian laws put themselves at risk of injury or fatality.

Why Hire Us

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident caused by another party, you deserve to be compensated for your pedestrian accident injuries. While that may seem straightforward, it is often anything but. Getting fairly compensated after accidents may require the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney.

At Charlip Law Group, our personal injury lawyers have dedicated our careers to the victim and holding at-fault parties accountable for the harm they cause. After a pedestrian accident, you will want to understand your rights and what compensation you are entitled to under the law. Let our experienced Miami pedestrian accident attorneys help you get the compensation you are entitled to for your pedestrian accident case.

Call us today at (305) 354-9313 to schedule a consultation.

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The Vulnerability of the Pedestrian in a Pedestrian Accident

Needless to say, when a motor vehicle comes into contact with a pedestrian, the pedestrian is generally the loser. When an unprotected individual on foot is hit by a moving metal object averaging over 4,000 pounds, the pedestrian doesn’t stand a chance. Given the fact that the pedestrian has no protective equipment and is also smaller and less visible, the pedestrian is more vulnerable to serious, disabling, and life-threatening injuries. Even if the motor vehicle is moving at a relatively low speed, an unprotected pedestrian can sustain serious injury in pedestrian accidents.

The most common of these injuries include:

If the accident is caused by the negligence of another party, that individual may be held liable for these damages. It’s important to get the assistance of a Miami pedestrian accident lawyer to ensure that all possible parties are held accountable after a serious pedestrian accident. Having a skilled Miami personal injury lawyer may be able to help the victim recover the compensation they deserve.

What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Pedestrian Accident Victims?

There are three types of damages available to victims of accidents under our personal injury laws. These include economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.

Economic damages reimburse the victim for expenses that were caused by the accident. These can include:

Medical bills, hospital bills, prescription medications, and any other costs associated with the medical intervention and healing treatment for your injuries
Lost wages if you are unable to work during your recovery
Property damages that you sustained in the accident
Future medical costs as they may be necessary to treat your injuries
Lost earning capacity if you are unable to return to your line of work
Any in-home nursing care or assistance as it may be needed due to your injuries
Physical therapy and rehabilitation as needed

Non-economic damages are those that can compensate you for a loss of quality of life. These often include:

Punitive damages are sometimes awarded to a victim who is the subject of the negligent party’s egregious and dangerous behavior. Punitive damages, like the name, serve to punish the driver and send a message to others. Speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer at Charlip Law Group today to discuss how you can recover the maximum compensation for your injuries.

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How Do Florida’s No-Fault Insurance Laws Affect a Pedestrian Accident Case?

Florida is one of a handful of states that have a no-fault insurance system. No-fault laws were implemented to ease the burden of accident victims to get benefits without having to prove fault first.

In Miami, FL, all registered drivers must carry no-fault insurance coverage. As a pedestrian, if you are a registered driver or live in a household with registered drivers, your insurance will cover a percentage of the costs associated with your injuries. For drivers who are not insured in Miami, FL, the damages should be covered by the at-fault driver. But these benefits are not always straightforward, and you will want to get the advice of an experienced Miami accident attorney to ensure that you get the benefits you are entitled to.

Charlip Law Group’s team of skilled personal injury professionals and Miami pedestrian accidents lawyer David H. Charlip has dedicated their years of work to helping victims of accidents in Miami. We may be able to help you recover compensation for your injuries.

Call us today at (305) 354-9313 to schedule a consultation.

When Insurance Isn’t Your Friend

We’ve all been taught that we can look to our insurance coverage to protect ourselves in an emergency. In a perfect world, that would be true. But the world isn’t perfect, and insurance companies are large profitable organizations. They don’t remain profitable by paying out more than they have to in claims. And sometimes, the accident victim is the one on the losing end of that scenario.

The first settlement offered by the insurance company, whether it is yours or the other party’s, is rarely as much as you are entitled to as an accident victim. Unfortunately, fair compensation usually needs to be negotiated. This is why injury victims who are represented by an attorney recover more in settlement money than ones without representation. It is important to get the advice of an experienced Miami pedestrian accident attorney before you accept a settlement check from the insurance company.

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Getting Skilled Advice from an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

David Charlip and the experienced Miami personal injury lawyers at Charlip Law Group have been representing accident victims for nearly 40 years.

Don’t try to navigate a pedestrian injury on your own. We may be able to help you recover compensation for your injury. With us on your side, you can have peace of mind that you will get the compensation you are entitled to so you can heal and move on with your life.

Call us at (305) 354-9313 or contact us through our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.