Walking in Pensacola, FL, should not come with the risk of serious injury, yet pedestrian accidents happen far too often. Whether crossing at a crosswalk or walking along the road, pedestrians are vulnerable to reckless or otherwise negligent motorists. The consequences of a vehicle hitting you can be devastating and may include severe injuries, costly medical bills, and emotional trauma.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Pensacola, Florida, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. The Pensacola pedestrian accident lawyers at Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers can help. Reach out to our law office or call us at (850) 434-3333 for a free consultation with a Pensacola pedestrian accident attorney.
How Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers Will Help After a Pedestrian Accident in Pensacola
Our Pensacola personal injury lawyers understand how accidents involving pedestrians may disrupt lives. For 44 years, our team has represented injured pedestrians across Florida. Over 75 years of combined experience in personal injury law has allowed us to fight for pedestrian accident victims so they may recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Our Pensacola personal injury lawyers will handle all aspects of your case, including:
- Advising you of your legal rights after a pedestrian accident
- Investigating the cause of your pedestrian accident
- Gathering evidence of negligence and liability
- Collecting accident reports, medical records, and other evidence
- Interviewing eyewitnesses and retaining experts
- Filing insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits
- Negotiating settlements for maximum compensation
- Representing you in court, if necessary
Contact our Pensacola personal injury attorneys if you or a loved one has been injured.
What Causes Pedestrian Accidents in Pensacola?
Pedestrian accidents in Pensacola occur for various reasons, many of which involve driver negligence. Nearly 10,000 people are killed annually in pedestrian-related accidents nationwide, with thousands more injured.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Distracted driving: Texting, talking on the phone, adjusting the radio, or other distractions take a driver’s attention off the road.
- Speeding or reckless driving: Drivers who exceed the speed limit or drive aggressively have less time to react to pedestrians.
- Failure to yield at crosswalks: Many pedestrian accidents happen when drivers fail to stop for people crossing at intersections.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment, making them more likely to hit pedestrians.
- Poorly maintained roads or inadequate pedestrian crossings: Lack of proper signage, crosswalks, and streetlights can contribute to accidents.
- Weather conditions that reduce visibility: Rain, fog, and glare from the sun can make it harder for drivers to see pedestrians.
Regardless of the cause, pedestrian accidents can result in severe injuries. Identifying the exact reason for your accident is critical when evaluating liability and securing compensation. Our Pensacola pedestrian accident lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case to establish the cause and fight for the justice you deserve.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Pedestrian Accident in Pensacola?
Florida has a modified comparative negligence law. This allows you to still recover compensation if you’re less than 51% to blame. However, your compensation is reduced in proportion to your share of fault.
What Compensation May I Recover After My Pedestrian Accident in Pensacola?
You may be entitled to financial compensation for your losses if you have been injured in a pedestrian accident. The damages you may recover typically fall into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are your tangible financial losses resulting from the accident. They aim to restore your financial stability and cover expenses directly tied to your accident.
These damages may include:
- Medical expenses for hospital bills, surgeries, rehab, and other current or future treatment
- Lost wages due to an inability to work
- Loss of future earning potential if the injury affects long-term employment
- Property damage, if applicable
- Costs associated with home modifications or mobility assistance devices
A Pensacola pedestrian accident lawyer can help you value all of your potential economic damages after an accident. Working with a lawyer can help you avoid leaving current or future economic damages unaccounted for in your claim.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are for your intangible losses. These losses are more subjective but can be just as valuable after a pedestrian accident.
Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of companionship if a loved one is fatally injured
Non-economic damages can be challenging to quantify, so having an experienced team on your side will improve your chances of doing so successfully. This will allow you to pursue the full extent of your damages.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Pedestrian Accident in Pensacola?
Many pedestrian accidents involve cars, trucks, and other vehicles. To successfully recover compensation for another driver, you must prove that their negligence caused your pedestrian accident.
Negligence is established through the following elements:
- Duty of care: You must show the driver had a legal obligation to operate their vehicle safely and follow traffic laws to protect pedestrians.
- Breach of duty: You must show the driver failed to uphold this duty through negligent actions, such as speeding, distracted driving, or failing to yield.
- Causation: You must show that the driver’s negligence directly caused your pedestrian accident and the resulting injuries.
- Damages: You must show you suffered financial, physical, or emotional harm because of your accident.
Our Pensacola personal injury team can help you gather evidence after a pedestrian accident that could help prove negligence. This may include police reports, surveillance footage, witness statements, and expert testimony regarding the circumstances of your accident and damages. We will work diligently to establish liability against all potential parties so you can pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Should I Do After Being Involved in a Pedestrian Accident in Pensacola?
The steps you take immediately following a pedestrian accident can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation, especially if someone else may be at fault.
You should be sure to:
- Seek medical attention: Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, such as delayed concussions. Even if you feel fine, get a checkup so a medical professional can look for injuries and document your accident after an accident.
- Call law enforcement: Call 911 if you have been injured. A police or ambulance report can be valuable evidence for fault and liability.
- Gather evidence: Take photos of the accident scene, the vehicle involved, traffic signals, road marks, and any visible injuries.
- Obtain contact information: Get the driver’s name, insurance information, and vehicle description. Ask any witnesses for their contact information as well since they may be able to corroborate your story and strengthen your claim.
- Avoid discussing fault: Do not apologize or admit fault at the scene, as it may be used against you during the claims process. A personal injury lawyer can evaluate the facts of your case to determine who may be liable, so there is no need to speculate.
- Consult a Pensacola pedestrian accident lawyer: Schedule a free consultation with a Pensacola personal injury lawyer. They can help protect your rights and fight for fair compensation for your injuries.
Following these steps can help strengthen a potential personal injury claim and improve your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit for Injuries After a Pedestrian Accident in Florida?
The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Florida after a pedestrian accident is two years from the date of your accident. If you fail to file your claim within this period, you may lose your right to seek compensation. However, certain exceptions may apply that could extend or shorten this deadline, such as if your claim involves a minor or a wrongful death claim.
Consulting an experienced Pensacola pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible can help you avoid missing critical legal deadlines so you do not jeopardize your claim.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Pensacola Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
We understand that pedestrian accident victims are likely facing financial strain. That is why our personal injury lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, in which you pay nothing upfront to retain us. Instead, we collect fees only if we successfully secure compensation on your behalf.
The fee we earn is a fixed percentage of the total compensation you will receive through a settlement or judgment. This gives you access to experienced counsel without the additional burden of paying costly legal fees. We aim to help you recover without added stress so you can focus on healing while we handle your case. You owe us nothing unless we win.
Contact Our Pensacola Pedestrian Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you should not wait to seek help. Our experienced Pensacola pedestrian accident lawyers will help you fight for your rights and secure the compensation you deserve. Contact Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free consultation.
We will review your case, explain your legal options, and help you take the next steps toward justice. You should not have to pay for someone else’s negligence.