Personal Injury Lawyer Helping Injured Pedestrians
29 August 2010
Traffic accidents involving pedestrians tend to have serious consequences for the pedestrian. After being struck by a car or truck, a pedestrian can sustain serious and debilitating injuries, requiring amputations or multiple surgeries; sometimes the victim may even die. If a loved one has been killed in a pedestrian accident and you need an attorney, contact a personal injury lawyer at the Harris Law Firm.
Surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death lawsuit to obtain financial damages to cover funeral costs, loss of companionship, or pain and suffering.
According to Florida law, the driver of a car or truck has a duty to look out for pedestrians and other hazards in the roadway. This means that driver of the vehicle should be able to see the pedestrian in the roadway and react in a timely manner to avoid hitting the pedestrian if he or she is driving appropriately under the circumstances. These circumstances will depend on the visibility, weather, time of day or night, the speed limit or average speed on the road, blind spots, intersections with or without crosswalks, among other factors.
Any pedestrian injured in a car or truck accident should contact a personal injury attorney from the Harris Law Firm to discuss the case. Injured victims could be eligible to file a claim and recover financial compensation.Florida law also directly creates duties for motorists upon seeing a child or obviously confused or incapacitated adult. Upon seeing a child near the roadway, the driver of a vehicle may need to slow down adequately below the speed limit to avoid striking the child. Such moves by the driver in advance of a situation can mean the difference between life and death to the pedestrian, as well as whether the driver gets sued for negligence. However, drivers of motor vehicles will have a defense if the pedestrian darted into the roadway or entered the roadway in a manner that would be unexpected or unanticipated by the reasonably prudent driver.
To evaluate your case, contact a dedicated personal injury lawyer at the Harris Law Firm, who will put your interests and needs first.