You deserve to enjoy a walking tour in Davie, Florida. Enjoy the warm weather in summer and the vegetation that covers the city.
All seems quiet in a familiar Florida suburb. On weekends, you can take a break from the daily chores and share a family lunch or a leisurely conversation. There is no unnecessary noise and no disturbance to the tranquility.
That is today's gift that many of us give ourselves on a Sunday: the possibility of living calmly and doing things at a calm pace without the hustle and bustle of modern, fast-paced life.
However, a Davie pedestrian accident could also affect the tranquility that evokes a walk through this place. An overzealous driver traveling at an uncommon speed in the area could forget that people come to Davie to live a slower life. This violent drive could break the tranquility with some reckless driving. What should be done in this case?
If you have been involved in an accident as a pedestrian hit by a car in Davie, Florida, you should contact our professionals in the field to evaluate your legal options based on the damages caused.
The reality tells us otherwise: every year in Broward County, based on the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and police reports, more than a thousand pedestrian accidents in 2021 are recorded.
If you have been involved in a similar case in the Davie area or throughout the South Florida area, you should contact our experts at The Ward Law Group, with over a decade in personal injury cases, to evaluate the situation you are in and try to find legal alternatives that will benefit you, such as compensation for third party damages, which could include anything from medical bills to compensation for long-term psychological effects.
Unfortunately, the numbers in terms of pedestrian fatalities are not very friendly in Florida. The state does not seem to be built for pedestrians. Some places can only be accessed by car, and walking-only paths exist mostly in central locations, which limits the possibility of getting around easily without a car.
The community becomes more dependent on cars by not designing cities for pedestrians. The latter should not imply that pedestrian rights are not taken into account.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Davie, FL
In all our years of experience, we have seen from the most incredible to the most absurd cases. Negligence that could have been completely avoided and coincidences that led to fatal outcomes.
Our experts have summarized some of the most common causes of pedestrian-related accidents in this area of Florida:
- Distracted Driving Incidents: Many pedestrian accidents result from drivers texting, talking on the phone, or engaging in other distractions while operating a vehicle, diverting their attention from pedestrians.
- Failure to Yield at Crosswalks: Some drivers fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks, leading to collisions. This can occur due to impatience, negligence, or a lack of awareness of pedestrian rights.
- Speeding in Residential Areas: Speeding drivers in residential neighborhoods may find it challenging to react quickly to pedestrians, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Excessive speed reduces the driver's ability to stop in time to avoid a collision.
- Disregarding Traffic Signals: Pedestrian accidents often occur when drivers ignore traffic signals, such as running red lights or failing to stop at stop signs. This reckless behavior can have severe consequences for pedestrians in their path.
- Driving Under the Influence - Drunk Driving (DUI): Impaired drivers pose a significant threat to pedestrians. Alcohol or drug impairment can impair a driver's judgment, coordination, and reaction time, leading to a higher risk of accidents involving pedestrians.
- Inadequate Street Lighting: Poorly lit areas or malfunctioning streetlights contribute to pedestrian accident cases, reducing visibility for drivers and pedestrians. Dimly lit crosswalks and intersections are particularly hazardous.
- Aggressive Driving Behaviors: Aggressive driving, such as tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, or engaging in road rage, can escalate the risk of pedestrian accidents. Aggressive drivers may disregard pedestrian safety.
- Failure to Signal Turns: Drivers who neglect to use their turn signals or make sudden turns without warning put pedestrians at risk. Pedestrians may not anticipate a vehicle's change in direction, leading to collisions and being hit by a vehicle.
- Obstructed Views at Intersections: Overgrown vegetation, improperly placed signage, or other obstructions at intersections can obstruct drivers' views and hinder their ability to see pedestrians crossing the road, contributing to accidents.
- Faulty Traffic Equipment: Malfunctioning pedestrian signals or crosswalk indicators can confuse drivers and pedestrians. If either party misinterprets the signals, this confusion may lead to accidents.
As we can see, the causes may vary according to the context. In specific cases, pedestrians are also partly responsible for not respecting the areas designated for them to move around.
Meanwhile, aggressive driving is usually the main trigger for this type of event. Undoubtedly, prevention is a transcendental element in avoiding the repetition of these events in our community.
The Role of a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
A lawyer specializing in personal injuries will make the difference in the result you will obtain at the end of the entire legal process in which you have been involved.
Getting involved in this process without a competent professional personal injury lawyer could represent an irrecoverable loss of time or a result that does not favor you or compensate for the situation you have had to live through.
Therefore, our law firm always recommends putting yourself in the hands of experts.
At The Ward Law Group, our personal injury attorneys always see the human being behind every "client." When contacting us, do not expect a client-firm relationship; otherwise, consider that we will work on creating a bond that will make us allies for life.
Some aspects in which you could receive our advice are the following:
- Legal Consultation and Case Evaluation: A pedestrian accident lawyer provides legal consultation to victims, thoroughly evaluating the case. This initial step helps determine the viability of pursuing legal action.
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Pedestrian accident lawyers conduct detailed investigations into the accident's circumstances. This includes gathering evidence such as witness statements, surveillance footage, police officer reports, and accident reports to build a compelling case.
- Expert Witnesses and Accident Reconstruction: A lawyer can strengthen the case by utilizing expert witnesses, including accident reconstruction specialists, who can provide professional insights and analyses. This can be crucial in establishing fault and liability. We should ask for the contact information of all the witnesses.
- Communication with Insurance Companies: A pedestrian accident lawyer handles all communications with insurance companies on behalf of the victim. This includes negotiating settlements and ensuring the victim's rights are protected throughout the claims process.
- Determining Liability and Fault: Lawyers assess the accident to determine liability and fault. They examine factors such as driver negligence, traffic violations, or defective road conditions that may have contributed to the pedestrian accident.
- Medical Documentation and Evaluation: Securing comprehensive medical documentation, including treatment records and expert medical evaluations, is essential. A lawyer works to quantify the extent of the injuries and the impact on the victim's life, strengthening the compensation case.
- Negotiating Fair Settlements: Pedestrian accident lawyers are skilled negotiators who advocate for fair settlements. They aim to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages suffered by the victim.
- Filing Legal Claims and Court Representation: A lawyer can initiate legal proceedings by filing a lawsuit if a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation. They provide representation in court, presenting the case and advocating for the victim's rights before a judge and jury.
- Advising on Legal Options: A pedestrian accident lawyer educates victims on their legal rights and options. This includes guiding them to pursue a personal injury lawsuit, file an insurance claim, or explore alternative dispute resolution methods.
- Ensuring Timely Legal Actions: Lawyers are well-versed in legal procedures and deadlines. They ensure that all necessary legal actions, such as filing documents and meeting deadlines, are carried out promptly to preserve the victim's rights and strengthen the case.
- Receive legal advice in your native language: Finally, this aspect is something our firm has been proud of since the first day we started operating. Assisting in their native language, the Spanish-speaking immigrant community.
Types of Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Victims
The compensation you obtain after completing the process will depend on the events after the accident. If any of the injuries involve medical treatment, then those responsible who led you to that situation must cover all treatment.
Likewise, there may be compensation regarding the time you will have to be away from work for rehabilitation, among other permanent consequences caused by the accident.
Some examples of possible compensation are as follows:
- Medical Expenses Coverage: Pedestrian accident victims may be eligible for compensation to cover medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care related to the accident.
- Lost Wages and Income: Compensation may include recovery for lost wages and income resulting from the inability to work during recovery. This encompasses the absence from work due to the injuries sustained in the pedestrian accident.
- Pain and Suffering Damages: Victims are entitled to compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering caused by the pedestrian accident. This includes factors such as the severity of injuries, long-term pain, emotional distress, and the impact on the victim's quality of life.
- Property Damage Compensation: If personal belongings, such as clothing, electronic devices, or other items, were damaged in the accident, victims may receive compensation for the repair or replacement of these items.
- Rehabilitation and Therapy Costs: Pedestrian accident victims often require rehabilitation and therapy to recover fully. Compensation may cover the costs of physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, and other rehabilitative services.
- Disability and Impairment Damages: In cases where the pedestrian accident results in a disability or long-term impairment, victims may receive compensation to address the impact on their ability to lead a normal life, perform daily activities, or pursue certain occupations.
- Wrongful Death Damages: If a pedestrian accident leads to the tragic loss of life, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional toll resulting from the wrongful death.
- Loss of Consortium: This type of compensation recognizes the accident's impact on the victim's relationships. It may include damages for the loss of companionship, guidance, and support the victim provided to their spouse, children, or family members.
- Scarring and Disfigurement Compensation: Pedestrian accident victims who suffer scarring or disfigurement as a result of their injuries may receive compensation to address the physical and emotional consequences of these lasting changes to their appearance.
- Punitive Damages: In extreme negligence or intentional wrongdoing by the responsible party, the court may award punitive damages. These damages aim to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in the future.
Contact a Davie Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
We are ready to help you with your case at The Ward Law Group. Do you feel your rights are not being considered because you are not a native Floridian or because English is not your native language?
Believe us, you have come to the right place. We have been working to lower the language barrier and ensure everyone has access to justice regardless of their origin.
One of our priorities is the immigrant community and respect for their rights. If you write to us internally about your case, we will find a way to turn the situation around, with the recognition of your rights as the main objective.
Contact us now at 855-DOLOR-55 for a free consultation of your case.