consult
X

Request a Free Consultation

Please fill out the form below and we will be in touch soon.

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY

Blog Home

New Year’s Eve: A Bad Time to Be a Pedestrian in Florida
Posted By:

New Year's Eve: A Bad Time to Be a Pedestrian in Florida

Florida is a place people like to live in because the weather is generally nice the whole year-round. Even during the height of winter, when it’s cold and slushy in other places, Florida is just right. This is why you see so many people walking at all hours on Florida sidewalks – even late on New Year’s Eve.

 

The problem is that where there are pedestrians, there are accidents – and Florida sees its fair share of those. Last New Year’s Eve, an Immokalee man sustained head injuries when he was hit by a car as he was walking. In Pensacola, a man was killed when standing behind a vehicle.

 

Yes, there are many dangers on the roads for those who aren’t in cars, which is why it’s important to stay cautious when being powered by your own two feet.

Here is what you need to know about Florida pedestrian accidents and how the law can help you get the damages you are entitled to if you are involved in one.

 

The Causes of Florida Pedestrian Accidents

 

There are several causes of pedestrian accidents in Florida. The main factors that contribute are:

 

Distracted Driving

 

Many drivers simply aren’t paying attention for a variety of reasons. When drivers don’t see a pedestrian, serious accidents can and do occur.

 

Drunk Driving

 

Impaired drivers also cause accidents. When operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they pose a danger to anyone on the streets or walking beside them.

 

Poor Visibility

 

If a pedestrian isn’t seen by the driver, accidents happen. It may not be because the driver was distracted, but that the conditions for visibility were poor. If you’re walking at night, it’s a good idea to do things that make you more visible to those in vehicles, such as wearing reflective clothing or having a light.

 

Fatigued Driving

 

When people are tired, they have poor reaction times and can be just as dangerous as someone impaired by drugs or alcohol behind the wheel.

 

Violating Driving Laws

 

Some drivers do not yield to pedestrians or follow speed limits, which are both major contributors to accidents involving cars and pedestrians.

 

Getting Compensation for FL Pedestrian Accidents

 

If you are injured this New Year’s as a result of an accident where you were walking and struck by a car, then you may be able to recover compensation if it can be shown that the driver was negligent.

 

Florida is a no-fault state, but the insurance company of the at-fault driver can be made to cover costs such as those related to:

 

  • Medical bills
  • Loss of life enjoyment
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Medication or needed medical equipment
  • Nursing services
  • Rehabilitation

If your own personal injury protection insurance isn’t enough to cover your expenses due to the injuries you sustained, an experienced attorney can help. A personal injury suit can be filed against the driver who was at fault and your attorney can advocate on your behalf in order to help you get the compensation you deserve.

 

Getting Compensation for FL Pedestrian Accidents

 

After all, in Florida drivers have a duty of care to keep others on the roads safe by operating their vehicles legally and safely.

 

Statute of Limitations

 

If you are involved in a pedestrian accident in Florida, don’t delay in contacting an attorney. You have four years in most cases from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in the state, but the sooner you get help, the better.

 

 

About the Author:

 

Andrew Winston is a partner at the personal injury law firm of Winston Law. For over 20 years, he has successfully represented countless people in all kinds of personal injury cases, with a particular focus on child injury, legal malpractice, and premises liability. He has been recognized for excellence in the representation of injured clients by admission to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and named one of America’s Top 100 High-Stakes Litigators. Mr. Winston is AV Preeminent Rated by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, enjoys a 10.0 rating by AVVO as a Top Personal Injury Attorney, has been selected as a Florida “SuperLawyer” from 2011-2021 – an honor reserved for the top 5% of lawyers in the state – was voted to Florida Trend’s ”Legal Elite,” recognized by Expertise as one of the 20 Best Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys, named one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the Miami area for 2015-2021, and one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Florida for 2015-2017 and 2019-2021.

 

 

Categories
AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

SUPER LAWYERS 10 YEARS

TOP RATED PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER IN DAVIE FL
2011-2023

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

SUPER LAWYERS FLORIDA TOP 100

FLORIDA TOP 100 LAWYERS
2015-2017, 2019-2023

Super Lawyers magazine features the list and profiles of selected attorneys and is distributed to attorneys in the state or region and the ABA-approved law school libraries.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

SUPER LAWYERS MIAMI TOP 100

MIAMI TOP 100 LAWYERS
2015-2017, 2019-2023

Super Lawyers magazine features the list and profiles of selected attorneys and is distributed to attorneys in the state or region and the ABA-approved law school libraries.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

FLORIDA TREND’S

FLORIDA LEGAL ELITE
2011-2023

Now in its 13th year, Florida Legal Elite presents a prestigious roster of attorneys chosen for recognition by their peers.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

MILLION DOLLAR ADVOCATES FORUM
LIFETIME MEMBER

THE TOP TRIAL LAWYERS IN AMERICA ®

ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS GROUPS OF TRIAL LAWYERS IN THE UNITED STATES. MEMBERSHIP IS LIMITED TO ATTORNEYS WHO HAVE WON MILLION AND MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

EXPERTISE BEST CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS 2023

BEST CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS IN FORT LAUDERDALE
2016-2023

Our goal is to be a hub where qualified experts can connect with people to share their knowledge, experience, and skills.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

EXPERTISE BEST PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS IN FORT LAUDERDALE 2023

BEST PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS IN FORT LAUDERDALE
2016-2023

Our goal is to be a hub where qualified experts can connect with people to share their knowledge, experience, and skills.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

MARTINDALE-HUBBELL AV PREEMINENT

AV PREEMINENT
2016-2023

For more than 130 years, Martindale-Hubbell has been evaluating attorneys for their strong legal ability and high ethical standards through a Peer Review Rating system. Prior to the 1887 edition of Martindale’s American Law Directory, which was the first publication to provide such ratings to attorneys, there was no way of truly knowing if the lawyer you were considering to do business with was trustworthy, ethical, or skilled in the legal field.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

AMERICAS TOP 100 HIGH STAKES LITIGATORS 2022

2018-2023

Selection to America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators® is by invitation only and is comprised of the nation’s most exceptional trial lawyers for high stakes legal matters. For initial consideration, an attorney must have successfully litigated (for either plaintiff or defendant) a matter (1) with at least $2,000,000 in alleged damages at stake or (2) with the fate of a business worth at least $2,000,000 at stake (i.e. bet-the-company litigation valued in excess of $2,000,000).

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

LAWYERS OF DISTINCTION

LAWYERS OF
DISTINCTION

Lawyers of Distinction members have been selected based upon a review and vetting process from our Selection Committee. After a thorough review of credentials, attorneys are nominated by our Selection Committee. Lawyers do not pay for this nomination. These potential candidates who meet the criteria of our screening process have demonstrated a high degree of peer recognition and professional competence

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

AVVO

TOP ATTORNEY PERSONAL INJURY
10.00
SUPERB

Avvo was founded in Seattle, Washington by tech-savvy lawyer Mark Britton to make legal easier and help people find a lawyer.

AWARDS & MEMBERSHIPS

LEAD COUNSEL

LEAD COUNSEL
RATED

Since 1997, the Lead Counsel Rating has been available for free to attorneys who have demonstrated the following three requirements:

Professional Experience
Peer Recommendations
Spotless Record

REVIEWS

LEAVE US A REVIEW

CASE RESULTS

See More Results