Did you sustain injuries after getting hit by a vehicle while walking on the sidewalk or using the crosswalk? This can be a startling experience, but you have legal options, and you don’t have to explore them on your own with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Largo by your side.
Founded in 1992, Brooks Law Group is home to attorneys with over 100 years of combined experience. As a law firm that has recovered more than $300 million for our clients, we’re ready to advocate for you as your personal injury lawyer in Largo.
Right-of-Way Rules Do Not Put an End to the Legal Analysis
Having the right-of-way can be an important detail, but it doesn’t automatically resolve every question in a personal injury claim. Florida law also requires pedestrians to follow traffic-control devices that specifically apply to them.
Where sidewalks are provided, pedestrians must use them instead of walking along the portion of the roadway for vehicles, unless circumstances require otherwise. If the sidewalks aren’t available, Florida provides rules concerning which side of the roadway pedestrians should use.
Insurance companies sometimes focus heavily on these rules when defending pedestrian accident claims. Largo pedestrian accident lawyers can investigate whether the alleged violation actually contributed to the accident and whether the driver’s actions also played a role.
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Comparative Fault Can Affect Your Compensation
Florida follows a modified comparative fault system for negligence claims. Under Florida Statutes § 768.81, a person’s damages are reduced according to that person’s percentage of fault. If you’re more than 50% at fault, then you likely cannot recover damages.
This is important to note when the opposing side claims that you contributed to the collision that resulted in your injuries. For example, here’s what an insurance company might claim:
- You crossed outside a permitted area.
- You failed to obey a traffic signal.
- You stepped into traffic unexpectedly.
- You otherwise contributed to the crash.
Those allegations need to be supported by evidence. A lawyer can challenge an inaccurate version of events and present evidence showing what the driver did before the collision.
That could include evidence of speeding, distraction, failure to yield, an improper turn, impaired driving, or another form of negligent conduct. The purpose is to establish an accurate picture of everyone’s actions and how those actions contributed to the accident.
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Insurance Companies Have Their Own Interests
After a pedestrian accident, an insurance company might contact you about the collision, your injuries, or a potential settlement. It can feel reassuring to hear that an insurer wants to resolve the claim quickly, particularly when medical bills are piling up.
A quick settlement is not necessarily the same thing as a complete evaluation of your losses. An insurance company is evaluating the claim from its own financial and legal perspective. Its representative could end up asking questions about these details:
- How the accident happened
- What the extent of your injuries is
- Which medical treatment you’ve received
- How the incident has impacted your ability to work
- If you have prior medical history
Pedestrian accident attorneys in Largo can handle these communications for you and make sure the insurer receives the information needed to evaluate the claim. Your lawyer can also review settlement offers and negotiate if you’re seeking additional compensation.
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Evidence Can Make a Major Difference
Pedestrian accidents can produce conflicting accounts of what happened. The driver might remember the collision differently from the pedestrian. Witnesses might have seen only part of the event. Important video footage could also disappear if it is not preserved.
These are examples of evidence your attorney can investigate:
- Traffic and security-camera footage that captured the collision or the moments before it
- Photographs of the intersection, crosswalk, roadway, vehicles, and visible injuries
- Statements from people who witnessed the collision
- Police reports and other official records
- Vehicle damage and physical evidence from the crash
- Medical records documenting the injuries and treatment
- Employment records showing lost income
- Insurance policies that could provide coverage for the claim
The sooner this evidence is identified and preserved, the easier it can be for Largo pedestrian accident lawyers to build a clear account of what happened.
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Florida Gives Injured People a Limited Time to Sue
Florida’s statute of limitations is another issue an injured pedestrian should understand. Under the current Florida Statutes, a negligence action generally has a two-year filing period for causes of action arising on or after March 24, 2023.
Florida Statutes § 95.11 contains additional rules and exceptions that can affect the deadline in particular cases. Your deadline will depend on the circumstances of the accident and the type of claim involved. Government-related claims also involve different requirements and restrictions.
Missing a filing deadline can seriously affect your legal rights, so it’s important to have the deadline reviewed by your pedestrian accident lawyers in Largo based on the actual facts of the case. Your lawyer can also identify the applicable deadline and track important dates.
Largo Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Can Handle the Legal Work
You should not have to become familiar with every part of Florida personal injury law while recovering from a serious injury. Largo pedestrian accident attorneys can take responsibility for many of the tasks involved in pursuing compensation:
- Investigating the collision and determining how it occurred
- Identifying potentially responsible parties
- Gathering and preserving evidence
- Reviewing applicable insurance coverage
- Communicating with insurance companies
- Collecting medical and employment records
- Calculating documented economic losses
- Building evidence concerning pain, limitations, and other non-economic losses
- Consulting appropriate professionals when additional investigation is needed
- Negotiating with insurers
- Filing a lawsuit when litigation is appropriate
- Representing you throughout the litigation process
The attorney’s role is not limited to paperwork. Legal representation also gives you someone who can assess the arguments being made by the other side and respond with evidence and legal support.
Look to Brooks® Law Group for Help From Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Largo
At Brooks Law Group, our Largo pedestrian accident attorneys approach every case with a focus on consistent communication and client care. Our case managers follow up with our clients and keep them informed about their cases throughout the entire legal process.
As pedestrian accident lawyers in Largo, we can investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and pursue compensation for you. We also have what it takes to prepare cases for litigation if a fair resolution cannot be reached.
Our law firm works on a contingency-fee basis, and we can connect you with medical care as needed. We also offer consultations outside of our office if your circumstances make it difficult for you to travel to us. If you were injured as a pedestrian, Look to Brooks®.
Call or text (800) 529-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form