Miami Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Helping Victims of Pedestrian Accidents Throughout the State of Florida

In media reports on traffic, car accidents and vehicle safety, pedestrian accidents are often underreported. Recently, however, they have received a lot of attention due to the fact that the number of pedestrian fatalities has spiked.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, crashes killing pedestrians jumped 46 percent over the past decade, compared with a 5 percent increase for all other crashes. Currently, an estimated 6,700 pedestrians are killed in traffic accidents each year in the U.S, an estimated 21% annual increase based on vehicle miles traveled. Unfortunately, with more than 840 pedestrian fatalities in one year, Florida is second only to California in the number of pedestrian traffic accident deaths per year.

In addition to those who suffer fatal injuries, many other Florida pedestrians are very seriously injured in traffic accidents. Broken and fractured bones, crushed limbs, head and neck injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and other life-threatening injuries can occur when a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle.

Pursuing Justice If You or a Family Member Has Been Injured in a Florida Pedestrian Accident

If you or a loved one has been injured by a motor vehicle while walking somewhere in Miami or anywhere in Florida, and the driver’s actions caused or partially caused the accident, Florida law enables you to pursue justice by bringing a claim against the negligent driver. A personal injury claim can hold the responsible party legally accountable and may allow you to obtain substantial compensation for your pain, suffering and losses.

The trusted, experienced personal injury attorneys at Boyers Law Group know that when you come to us after having been seriously injured or having tragically lost a loved one, you want far more than financial compensation. You want understanding, compassion, accountability and justice. We strive to give you the answers and understanding you deserve while passionately pursuing justice for you and your family.

If you have been injured or lost a beloved family member in a pedestrian traffic accident, please contact the experienced Miami pedestrian accident attorneys of Boyers Law Group for the skilled and committed advocacy needed to successfully pursue a major damage claim against the the negligent and responsible parties. . We have been helping people throughout Florida who have been seriously injured due to others’ negligence and wrongful conduct for over twenty-five years and would be honored to help you achieve justice and the substantial compensation you deserve for all he damages you have suffered.

What Is Causing the Increase in Pedestrian Accidents in Florida?

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data show that roads in the U.S. have become extremely dangerous for pedestrians, especially in urban areas, where pedestrian fatalities increased 61% from 2010 through 2020. In Florida, the number of pedestrian crashes increased from 8,117 to 9,549 (17.6%) over the past two years, and the number of fatalities increased from 715 to 844 (18%), according to the Florida Crash Dashboard. In Miami alone, 1,509 pedestrian accidents and 100 fatalities occurred last year, up from 1,221 crashes and 84 fatalities the previous year.

Highway safety analysts believe there are many possible reasons for this tragic increase in pedestrian accidents and fatalities. For one, more people are driving SUVs and trucks, which have been shown to cause more serious pedestrian injuries than smaller vehicles. Secondly, the growing popularity of ride-sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, may well be contributing to more traffic accidents and fatalities. In addition, increased maximum speed limits (changed to 70 mph in Florida in 1996), extra-wide urban streets and an older population are associated with increased pedestrian traffic fatalities. Another dangerous and, often deadly, reason for accidents arises from driver distraction related to cell phone usage while driving a motor vehicle. Negligence due to driving while texting or surfing on one’s phone is a monumental problem that, without any doubt, causes many serious motor vehicle and pedestrian related accidents. Despite law prohibiting texting while driving, there is an epidemic of cell phone usage by people behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.

However, the main reason more pedestrians are being injured and killed on our roadways is simply that people are driving much more carelessly and even recklessly. Whether it is because anxiety levels are high, they are drinking more, or they are just distracted and not paying attention to driving safely, the fact remains that pedestrian accidents in the Miami area are primarily caused by negligent driving and motor vehicle safety violations, such as:

Speeding
Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Texting while driving or other distractions
Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk
Failing to come to a complete stop at a traffic light or stop sign
Causing a Rear End collision with a vehicle at a red light or stop sign that leads to a car striking a pedestrian
Failing to keep a careful lookout for pedestrians

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends the following guidelines to avoid hitting pedestrians:

Always being on the look-out for pedestrians.
Never driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
Driving very slowly when turning or driving through a crosswalk.
Always yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks.
Being especially cautious when it’s hard to see your surroundings, such as during bad weather or at night.
Always following speed limits, especially slower speed limits in school zones and in residential areas.
Being extra cautious when driving in reverse.
Never passing vehicles stopped at a crosswalk, since there could be people crossing the street that you cannot see.

Unfortunately, many Florida drivers are too distracted or too hurried to heed these guidelines and look out for pedestrians on the roadways. As a result, the number of pedestrians injured and killed in traffic accidents continues to rise.

Who Is Liable for Miami Pedestrian Accidents?

In Florida, pedestrians and motorists are both responsible for following state traffic laws when on the roadways, so either one or both can be held legally responsible for a pedestrian accident. Sometimes the fault in a pedestrian accident can be attributed to both the pedestrian and the person driving the vehicle. Even if this is the case, the injured pedestrian may still be entitled to recover compensation since Florida uses a comparative fault system to apportion damages.

In many cases, it is very clear who the responsible party is. For example, under Florida law, someone driving a motor vehicle has to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk at an intersection once the pedestrian has stepped into the roadway, even when there are no crossing signals. If a motor vehicle does not yield and hits the pedestrian, the driver is at fault. If a pedestrian seeks to cross in the middle of the street and an accident occurs, it becomes especially critical for a knowledgeable and skilled accident lawyer to examine the specific circumstances of the crash and build a strong case that will enable the injured pedestrian to be compensated for his or her injuries.

An experienced pedestrian accident attorney from Boyers Law Group will thoroughly investigate your accident to determine liability and advise you on your best course of action. If it is in your best interest to bring a personal injury claim for damages against another party, our expert legal team will collect all of the evidence necessary to prove negligence and your entitlement to substantial compensation.

What Compensation Can be Obtained with a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit?

If you have been injured by a car, bus or truck while you were walking (or even jogging, running, biking, rollerblading, etc.)you may be entitled to sue the negligent driver for compensation for the economic and non-economic or quality of life damages you suffered because of your pedestrian accident injury. Economic damages provide compensation for the direct, out-of-pocket expenses and losses you incurred or will incur as a result of the accident. This may include medical expenses as well as lost income. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are intended to compensate you for the pain, suffering, loss of capacity to enjoy life, disability, scarring, embarrassment, as well as the emotional stress and psychological trauma caused by the accident.

Depending on the specific circumstances of your accident, your injury and your losses, the damages for which you can receive compensation include:

Physical pain and suffering.
Mental anguish, stress, trauma, and other emotional problems stemming from the accident.
Medical expenses – current healthcare expenses, including emergency services, hospital bills, diagnostic imaging, surgery, post-operative care, travel to and from doctors, prescriptions and rehabilitation.
Future healthcare costs – future healthcare expenses, including surgeries, prescriptions, treatments, rehabilitative care, medical equipment and assistive devices.
Lost income – wages lost for time off work because of injuries from the accident.
Diminished earning capacity – decreased or lost earning capacity because injuries from the accident prevent returning to your job or seeking one that pays as well.
Diminished quality of life – decreased ability to enjoy life and participate in everyday activities.
Scarring or disfigurement
Disability and physical impairment
Your family’s loss of your companionship, guidance and assistance.
Other economic and non-economic damages applicable under Florida law.

The experienced Boyers’ legal team of personal injury attorneys, investigators, paralegals and experts will collect evidence of all of the economic and non-economic damages you have experienced and make a strong case of your entitlement to substantial compensation. We will passionately pursue justice for you and your family, advocating aggressively for the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Getting Legal Help When a Family Member Is Fatally Injured in a Miami Pedestrian Accident

We will relentlessly pursue very substantial compensation for your mental and emotional devastation over losing a loved one due to negligence. Although no amount of money can truly compensate someone for the loss of beloved family member, our clients often report that holding the responsible parties legally accountable and knowing that justice prevailed in the wake of a catastrophic event provided them with a measure of healing and closure. Under Florida’s Wrongful Death statute, you may also be entitled to compensation for mental pain, suffering and anguish, loss of companionship and affection, and lost economic support, as well as other elements of damage.

Our wrongful death attorneys can answer any questions you may have about bringing a wrongful death claim and will provide the compassionate care and expert legal guidance you need during this immensely difficult time.

Get Highly Skilled and Experienced Legal Help with Your Miami Pedestrian Accident Case

At Boyers Law Group, we are committed to passionately pursuing justice for our injured clients. We believe that when you come to us for help, you deserve our complete dedication to protecting your rights and helping you obtain the substantial compensation you need and deserve.

We also believe that being available, responsive and informative whenever you have questions or concerns about your case is crucial to our role as your advocate. We want you to understand all the steps in the legal process and will communicate often with you to keep you up to date on the progress we are making on your case.

If you or a family member has suffered a serious pedestrian traffic accident injury, please call us at 305-512-7600 or submit the “Tell Us What Happened” form on this page to discuss your case and get free, expert legal advice from an experienced Miami personal injury attorney.