Nobody expects to get hit by a car when crossing a street or walking down the sidewalk, but these accidents are all too common. Pedestrians can suffer severe injuries when struck by motor vehicles, and they are often left with long-term or even permanent disabilities.
Fortunately, a Hillsborough County pedestrian accident lawyer may be able to seek compensation on behalf of injury victims. A personal injury attorney could help injured parties successfully navigate the injury claims process.
Pedestrian Accidents in Hillsborough County
Pedestrian accidents are more likely to happen in urban than in rural areas and more likely to occur at night, when visibility may be reduced. Contrary to popular belief, pedestrian accidents do not always occur at intersections or in crosswalks. Instead, these accidents often affect pedestrians who are walking on sidewalks or paths or alongside the road.
Pedestrians do have a responsibility to follow traffic rules that apply to them and take measures to avoid accidents, such as by only crossing streets within crosswalks. Furthermore, pedestrians should obey traffic signals, signs, and pavement striping when crossing streets or through intersections. When sidewalks are available, they should use them, and if they must walk in the road, they should walk on the left side of the roadway facing traffic.
Even when pedestrians are exercising as much caution as possible, drivers may fail to realize how dangerous their traffic violations and careless behavior can be. Failing to yield to pedestrians, driving while impaired, speeding, and reckless driving can all cause severe injuries to pedestrians that may necessitate the assistance of a pedestrian accident lawyer in Hillsborough County.
Damages in Pedestrian Accident Claims
The injuries that pedestrians may suffer in accidents are often catastrophic, can cause permanent impairment, and in some cases, can be fatal. When the negligence of drivers leads to these devastating injuries, injured pedestrians or their surviving family members have the right to seek damages for their losses. The forms of compensation that may be available through legal claims may include:
- Medical expenses
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost income
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
Additional damages may consist of loss of consortium for surviving family members, pain and suffering, and any other costs related to current or future medical care. If injury victims are unable to return to work, then they may also be able to seek loss of future income and earning capacity. By consulting a pedestrian accident attorney in Hillsborough County, victims could get a clear sense of the type of damages to which they may be entitled.
Work with a Hillsborough County Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Injured pedestrians generally have a limited time to pursue any claims for damages that result from the negligence of others. Failing to meet this timeframe may result in being unable to recover any damages that could assist in your recovery. As a result, contacting a Hillsborough County pedestrian accident lawyer as quickly as possible following an accident can be essential. Call today to schedule a consultation and discuss your case.