Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
If you suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident, you may face an uncertain future. As a pedestrian, you likely suffered serious and debilitating injuries. As a result, you may find yourself unable to return to work and provide for your family. Even worse, you may suffer from a permanent disability for the rest of your life. When this happens, you may not know where to turn for help. However, while you focus on your recovery, you need someone on your side fighting for you and your rights.
At Meldon Law, our Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident attorneys are here to help you through this terrifying and difficult time. We know that you need money now to pay for medical expenses and care. That is why we fight insurance companies aggressively to help you get maximum compensation. Our law firm has the experience needed to tackle these catastrophic cases—and win.
Experience Matters
Our attorneys have successfully represented numerous pedestrian accident survivors in Fort Lauderdale and throughout Florida. We know what it takes to win these cases, and we fight aggressively for our clients every step of the way. Our pedestrian accident attorneys are not afraid to take large insurers head-on. We know the tactics they use, and we use this knowledge to help our clients fight back and obtain the compensation they need—and deserve.
In one of our cases, we obtained a $1.25 million settlement for an injured pedestrian after an accident left her with severe lower back injuries, resulting in the implantation of a spinal stimulator.
Proving Liability After a Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident
Florida is a no-fault state. That means that by law, if you suffer an injury in a pedestrian accident, you must turn to your own personal injury protection (PIP) policy to help you pay medical expenses and related damages. You must do this before you can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.
According to Florida’s PIP statute, your insurance company must pay personal injury protection benefits for accidental bodily injury, even if you were not driving or in a motor vehicle at the time of the accident.
Unfortunately, pedestrian accident survivors often find their own claims denied even when seeking compensation through their PIP policy. Do not hesitate to call us at Meldon Law if your insurance company delayed, denied, or reduced your PIP benefits.
If you do not have a PIP policy or if you exhaust your limits, you can seek to collect from the driver’s policy. To do this, you must prove fault. Proving fault is not always easy in pedestrian accidents. Although at first glance it may look cut and dry, insurers often contest these cases or try to pin some of the blame on the pedestrian.
At Meldon Law, we know that proving fault is critical when seeking maximum compensation. We believe in holding negligent individuals and entities responsible when pedestrians suffer serious injury.
To do this, we must clearly establish four elements in your case:
- The responsible party owed you a duty of care
- They breached that duty of care
- The at-fault party’s negligence caused your injuries
- You suffered actual harm due to the accident
Liable Parties After a Pedestrian Accident
After a pedestrian accident in Fort Lauderdale, multiple parties may share the blame.
Some of those entities include:
- The local municipality. The government may share responsibility for the crash. Poorly placed crosswalks, malfunctioning traffic control devices, and improper parking lot maintenance can all contribute to pedestrian accidents.
- The driver. The driver of the vehicle has a responsibility to drive safely and watch for pedestrians in their path. If they fail to do so, deadly pedestrian accidents can occur.
- A product manufacturer. Sometimes, a product device malfunctions, causing a serious pedestrian accident. Malfunctioning scooters, skateboards, or rollerblades can all result in deadly accidents.
Before filing a claim, our Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident attorneys will examine all the details surrounding your case to determine all liable parties.
Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrians often suffer serious and debilitating injuries after an accident. The human body cannot withstand the forces of a motor vehicle crash without suffering severe injuries. Even accidents that occur at low speeds can result in deadly injuries.
Some of the most common pedestrian accident injuries include:
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Knee and joint injuries
- Fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Disfiguration and amputation
Pedestrian Accidents On the Rise
Across the United States, pedestrian accidents skyrocketed in recent years. Since 2009, pedestrian deaths steadily increased by 35.7 percent. This is largely due to poor infrastructures, coupled with an increase in distracted driving.
Sadly, Florida residents are at an increased risk of suffering serious injuries in pedestrian accidents. That is because Florida is the deadliest state for pedestrians, according to recent statistics. In fact, Florida is home to nine of the 20 deadliest U.S. cities for pedestrians. Sadly, the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area ranked 14th in the “Dangerous By Design” report from Smart Growth America.
This area is so deadly because it lacks safe and proper infrastructure for pedestrians. As a result, more than 1,500 pedestrians lost their lives in accidents over the last decade in the Fort Lauderdale area alone.
Injured in a Pedestrian Accident? Contact a Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
If you or someone you love suffered an injury in a pedestrian accident in Fort Lauderdale, it is important to know that you are not alone. Pedestrians often suffer serious and debilitating injuries. As such, they need someone on their side from the very start who can fight for their rights. At Meldon Law, our Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident attorneys have the experience and resources needed to tackle complex pedestrian accident cases.
To learn more about your legal options, call us at (954) 334-1276 or fill out our confidential contact form. We offer free consultations and case evaluations. We want to learn more about you and your case, so we can help you receive the compensation you deserve. Reach out today!
