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According to Florida traffic laws, pedestrians have the right of way as long as they are traveling on a sidewalk or other such walkway adjacent to a road or street, or if they are crossing a street within a crosswalk and are obeying all traffic lights and signs. Even when pedestrians obey all relative traffic laws, motorists are still known to hit them and cause pedestrian accidents. The motorist is almost always liable in such cases, so be sure to educate yourself on your rights and legal options if you have been hit by a motorist while walking or crossing a street. Your chances at receiving compensation stand to significantly increase when you involve a Coral Gables personal injury lawyer from our firm.
Most pedestrian accidents are caused by unobservant or distracted motorists. If a driver is not paying attention, they may not notice a pedestrian crossing the street and continue driving or making a turn, colliding with the pedestrian. Poorly lit roadways can cause motorists to overlook pedestrians as well. Whatever the cause of the incident, pedestrian accidents almost always result in severe personal injury or wrongful death.
If you or someone you know has been involved in such an accident, contact our firm right away.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 4,378 pedestrians killed in traffic crashes in the United States in 2008. Another 69,000 pedestrians were injured, and this averages to be one injury every eight minutes. It has been estimated that pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to be killed in a car crash for every trip they take. These facts are both shocking and sobering, and many pedestrians do not think about the risks that come with walking instead of driving.
People who are 65 and older are at the greatest risk for pedestrian accidents. Children are also at a high risk for injury, and one in every five children between the ages of 5-9 who was killed in a traffic crash in 2008 was a pedestrian. When vehicles are traveling at higher speeds, it increases the likelihood of a pedestrian being struck by a car and the severity of their injury as well. Most pedestrian and bike accidents occur in non-intersection areas, urban areas, and at night.
Mesa Law Firm is qualified to handle any personal injury case, including pedestrian accidents. This is likely one of the most difficult times of your life, and an injury attorney in Coral Gables can provide you with support, counsel, and aggressive legal representation throughout your legal process. We also offer contingency fees, meaning that we remain affordable while still providing you with personal service and skilled legal representation.
Call today to learn more about our firm and our contingency fees. Waiting to retain an attorney can be damaging, so contact the Mesa Law Firm today!