Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Thousands of people throughout Orlando travel by foot each day. When pedestrians, motorists, and other factors combine, pedestrian accidents occur on a regular basis. MetroPlan Orlando, a transportation planning company for Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties found pedestrian crashes with incapacitating injuries increased by 75 percent from 2011 to 2015.

While these accidents occur in a variety of situations, the resulting injuries can have a devastating effect on your life. An accident attorney with 911 Biker Law can protect your legal rights while fighting for an appropriate amount of compensation. Contact our law firm today.

Common Types Of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents mostly occur in non-intersection locations, such as along highways, followed by in intersections and non-travel lanes, including driveways and roadway shoulders. These situations are generally divided into the following types.

Dart-Out

A dart-out happens when a pedestrian quickly or unexpectedly walks or runs — darts — into traffic, such as using a crosswalk with the right-of-way. A motorist’s line of sight may be obscured by other vehicles or obstructions, such as traffic signs or landscaping. Unfortunately, a motorist usually has less than seconds to avoid the pedestrian and an accident.

Passing

Passing accidents commonly occur when a motorist passes a stopped vehicle, such as a school bus, without seeing a pedestrian crossing the roadway.

Intersection

Pedestrian accidents in intersections commonly occur as a pedestrian attempts to cross a mistimed intersection or isn’t seen by a motorist making a left- or right-hand turn. These accidents also happen if a pedestrian and/or a motorist fail to yield right-of-way in an intersection.

Reversing Vehicles

When a motorist backs-up without checking all rearview mirrors and blind spots, whether from a driveway or a parking stall, there is the risk of hitting a pedestrian.

Distracted Driving

Night or day, distracted driving increases the risk of a pedestrian accident, regardless of location. Conversely, pedestrians who are talking on the phone while walking, for example, are also distracted and may inadvertently step into traffic which causes an accident.

Common Causes Of Pedestrian Accidents

Intersections are a leading area where pedestrian accidents occur. Common factors that cause the situation include:

Failing to obey a traffic signal, such as running a red light;
Motorists making left- or right-hand turns, with or without the crossing signal; and
Pedestrians attempting to or crossing an intersection against the crossing signal.

Yet, intersection construction, design, and engineering can cause this type of accident. If you or a loved one have been involved in a pedestrian accident, contact an experienced accident attorney with 911 Biker Law.

Injuries Associated With Pedestrian Accidents

A pedestrian can sustain a wide range of injuries when an accident occurs, but injuries commonly include:

Abrasions, cuts, and lacerations;
Broken and/or fractured bones;

Head, neck, and spine injuries; and
Internal injuries.

These injuries can affect any part of the body but the lower extremities — legs and feet — are most commonly affected. Injury severity depends on several factors, including the vehicle’s speed at the time of impact, where the pedestrian was struck, and vehicle type.

Pedestrian Rights After An Accident

A pedestrian retains several rights after an accident when the accident is caused by a driver who violated a law or rule. Compensation generally hinges on whether:

The driver broke a state-sanctioned driving rule, such as speeding, and/or displayed more carelessness than a reasonable driver;
The driver’s carelessness, negligence, or violation directly caused the pedestrian accident; and/or
The pedestrian suffered actual harm as a result and can be compensated by the driver.