How to Handle Pedestrian Accidents In Miami
If you’re an average pedestrian trying to cross one of Miami’s many streets, even the slightest ‘tap’ can preclude you from participating in regular activities without some level of discomfort. Injuries such as broken bones, bruising, fractures, and facial scars can be challenging to deal with, although an even greater number of pedestrian accidents are leading to fatalities.
In 2017, a Miami Herald report put Miami 11th in America for pedestrian fatalities, and Florida number one as a state. With droves of pedestrian traffic enjoying the best Miami has to offer, one would think local law enforcement would be proactive in thwarting such atrocities. And they do, although police can only prevent so much.
Pedestrian Injuries Are Compensable
Fatalities such as the one that transpired in July at Hallandale Beach are preventable if people would discontinue their poor driving practices. Driving while under the influence of various substances and liquids, too, should be avoided if driving is anticipated. Many drivers find that risking imprisonment or another person’s health is worthy of driving in excess of posted speeds or while drunk. Thankfully, laws allow persons injured at another’s expense to seek financial retribution.
Pedestrians aggrieved by no fault of their own are entitled to equal compensation opportunities as any vehicle passenger; the law’s interpretation of a ‘vehicle’ offers plenty of room to suggest that a pedestrians’ footsteps are a viable mode of transportation. Although accident liability is tough to isolate with so many insurance companies waging war against even the slightest technicality, it is important to work with a pedestrian injury lawyer who lives and breathes insurance nomenclature.
Notwithstanding, injured persons or survivors of decedents in pedestrian accidents should always:
- Notate the entire accident, including where you were standing;
- Investigate liabilities and Florida law as it applies to your case;
- Stay on-scene regardless of how angry or frustrated you feel;
- Retain an attorney who will subpoena video, witnesses and proper police reports.
For persons with preexisting debilities, the outcome of pedestrian accident cases boils down to how skilled one’s litigation team is, chiefly because a common defense to ward off suits often used in Florida courts involves prior medical conditions. Seems unfair that insurance companies and counsel representing willfully negligent persons would engage in childish mudslinging, but it happens.
Pedestrian Accidents in Miami May Never Cease
Short of offering foot-travelers airbags to wear around their bodies, it’s impossible to predict when, if ever, Miami pedestrian accidents will subside. All people can do is remain vigilant when crossing busy streets or those that seem wider than average.
Until streets and crosswalks are designed with a ‘safety for all’ mindset, all foot commuters can do is watch their surroundings, report inadequate driving behavior and retain an attorney when injury is unavoidable.
Contact Us Today for Help
Although we’re far from ‘ambulance chasers’, pedestrian accidents are just as important to our firm as any other accident case we undertake. As soon as you’ve filed police and accident reports, the Florida attorneys at Payer & Associates want to begin working on your case. Despite what you may hear, verdicts and settlements are never similar, yet our dedication to every injured client remains consistent. Contact our firm via phone, through a contact form or by dropping by our Miami office.
Resource:
miami.cbslocal.com/2018/07/16/pedestrian-killed-in-hallandale-beach-crash/
