Fort Lauderdale is a popular destination for tourists and a beautiful place to live. Located on Florida’s southeastern coast, the city boasts long stretches of beaches and boating canals. A promenade called The Strip runs along Highway A1A featuring upscale shops, restaurants, hotels, and attractions. The pleasant climate makes Fort Lauderdale an ideal place to get outside and go for a walk.
But a dreamy day can quickly become a nightmare as the result of a pedestrian accident involving serious injury or death.
Broward County’s many attractions also draw traffic congestion and impatient drivers, posing a risk for pedestrians in crosswalks, parking lots, and other public spaces.
If you were seriously injured in a pedestrian accident, contact the experienced Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyers at Kaiser Romanello. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers can evaluate your claim, identify the parties at fault for your injuries, and fight for compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
We provide tailored solutions to help our clients seek rightful compensation. Our Fort Lauderdale office serves clients throughout South Florida, including Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. Call us today at (844) 877-8679.
Why Choose Kaiser Romanello for Your Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Selecting the right law firm will give you peace of mind as you recover from injuries or deal with the death of a loved one because of a pedestrian accident. The legal team at Kaiser Romanello is experienced in handling Fort Lauderdale traffic accident claims involving pedestrians.
We have a proven track record of representing people in Broward County to secure maximum compensation for serious injuries or wrongful death resulting from the negligent actions of others.
When you work with our Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident attorneys, we take your claim seriously. Our clients are our neighbors in the community.
With our offices in Fort Lauderdale, we can identify the traffic patterns that factor into your claim. Our team of personal injury lawyers knows Florida laws surrounding pedestrian accident claims and how they may affect your compensation.
There is no cost or obligation to talk to one of our personal injury attorneys. Contact us today for a free consultation and evaluation of your case.
Our Fort Lauderdale Office Location and Headquarters
Kaiser Romanello P.A. is located at 11555 Heron Bay Boulevard in Broward County, Florida, approximately 23 miles north of Miami and 42 miles south of Palm Beach. You can call us at (844) 877-8679 to meet with one of our personal injury attorneys to discuss your claim.
Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Statistics
According to WFLA News, a recent study by the Governors Highway Safety Association found pedestrian fatalities reached a 41-year high in one recent year, taking the lives of more than 7,500 hit while walking. Pedestrian deaths are also increasing faster than all other traffic fatalities. Since 2010, pedestrian deaths have gone up 77 percent, compared to a 25 percent increase in all other traffic fatalities.
The deadliest city for pedestrians in the last three years was Fort Lauderdale, where nearly 15 pedestrians died on average every year.
The report also noted that most pedestrian fatalities continue to occur at night, although nighttime deaths have accounted for an even larger share over the past few years. About 77 percent of fatal pedestrian crashes occurred in the dark, with approximately 20 percent happening in daylight and 3 percent during dawn or dusk. Since 2010, nighttime fatal crashes have increased by 86 percent, compared with a 31 percent rise in daytime pedestrian deaths.
Drivers of passenger cars have consistently accounted for the greatest number of fatal pedestrian crashes. However, over the past decade, the number of pedestrian deaths in crashes involving sport utility vehicles (SUVs) increased at a far faster rate (120%) than deaths in crashes involving passenger cars (26 percent). Because of their greater body weight and larger profile, SUVs and other light trucks can cause more harm to a person on foot when a crash occurs.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), on its Florida Crash Dashboard, reports there were 276,492 traffic crashes in the state as of September 2023, accounting for 2,331 deaths and 176,029 injuries. Broward County reported 28,249 crashes with 135 fatalities and 17,264 injuries.
There were 6,860 total reported pedestrian crashes in Florida as of September 2023, with 513 pedestrian fatalities. In Broward County, 620 pedestrian crashes caused 28 reported pedestrian deaths.
Where Do Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accidents Occur?
As you might expect, pedestrian accidents are common in areas with a lot of foot and automobile traffic. Where these two elements come together, there is naturally an increased risk of collisions resulting in injury. Pedestrians – people on foot – may be struck by vehicles including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and even bicycles.
Here are some places where Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents commonly occur:
- Crosswalks: Accidents can happen when pedestrians are crossing at marked crosswalks, even when they have the right of way.
- Intersections: Pedestrian accidents frequently occur at intersections when vehicles make turns without noticing pedestrians.
- Roadside: Pedestrians walking along the side of the road, especially in areas without sidewalks, are vulnerable to accidents.
- Parking Lots: Accidents can occur when pedestrians and vehicles share spaces in parking lots.
- Residential Areas: Suburban streets and residential neighborhoods can be sites of accidents, especially where there are no sidewalks.
- Commercial Areas: Pedestrian accidents can occur near shopping centers, restaurants, and other commercial areas with high foot traffic.
- School Zones: Accidents involving children often happen near schools, especially during pick-up and drop-off times.
- Rural Roads: In rural areas, where pedestrian infrastructure is limited, accidents can occur when people walk along the roadside.
Fort Lauderdale is a popular destination for tourists, which could contribute to the high rate of pedestrian injuries and deaths. People unfamiliar with traffic patterns, driving unfamiliar rental vehicles, and distracted by the sights can easily overlook pedestrians.
Other situations that increase the risk of pedestrian accidents include impaired drivers affected by alcohol or drugs, as well as excessive speeding. Vehicles reversing in parking lots or driveways may also hit pedestrians. Pedestrians may fall victim to hit-and-run accidents, where drivers leave the scene after hitting them.
Pedestrian Accident Injuries
The severity of these injuries can vary widely depending on the speed of the vehicle, the point of impact, and the age and physical condition of the pedestrian.
Injuries may range from bruises, sprains, strains, and minor cuts to broken bones, often in the arms, legs, or ribs. In serious accidents, limbs may be severed or require amputation due to injury.
Severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries (TBI), concussions, and skull fractures can also occur, particularly if the head strikes the ground or a vehicle. Severe accidents may also lead to damage to the spinal cord, potentially causing paralysis, and internal injuries including blunt force trauma can harm internal organs, such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys.
Tragically, some pedestrian accidents result in fatalities.
See a doctor immediately after being injured in a pedestrian accident, even if your injuries seem minor. Sometimes serious injuries don’t develop until later or aren’t identified without medical scans and treatment.
Also, seeing a doctor will create an official record of your injuries directly related to the pedestrian accident, which can be valuable later if you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me After a Pedestrian Accident?
An attorney can explain your rights, guide you through the legal process, and help you understand the potential legal options available to you. Attorneys will develop a legal strategy tailored to your specific case, taking into account the unique circumstances and challenges involved.
Pedestrian accidents may involve complex legal issues and traffic laws. Lawyers are well-versed in these areas and can navigate them effectively.
Lawyers can conduct a thorough investigation into the accident, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and working with experts to establish liability and determine the cause of the accident. They will help determine who you can hold legally responsible for the accident, whether it’s the driver of the vehicle, a property owner, or another party.
Your lawyer will calculate damages by assessing the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses, to ensure you seek fair compensation. They can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to pursue a settlement that adequately covers your losses.
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, an attorney can represent you in court, filing a lawsuit and advocating for your rights in front of a judge and jury. Your lawyer will work to maximize the compensation you receive, ensuring that you are not left with financial burdens resulting from the accident.
In cases of pedestrian fatalities, lawyers can assist surviving family members in filing wrongful death claims to seek compensation for their losses. Beyond the legal aspects, attorneys can offer emotional support and guidance during a challenging time.
In cases of serious injury or death, an experienced personal injury attorney with pedestrian accident experience can provide you with the legal skills and support needed to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Type of Compensation May Be Available for a Pedestrian Accident?
In a Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident claim, potential damages can vary based on the specific circumstances of the accident and the resulting injuries.
Here are the damages you may seek in such a claim:
- Medical Expenses: This includes current and future medical bills related to the pedestrian’s injuries, such as hospitalization, surgeries, doctor’s visits, medications, and rehabilitation.
- Lost income: Compensation for income lost due to time off work during recovery, as well as potential future lost earnings if the injuries lead to long-term disability or reduced earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages for the physical and emotional pain and suffering endured because of the accident and injuries.
- Emotional Distress: Compensation for psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, which may result from the accident.
- Property Damage: Reimbursement for damage to personal property, such as clothing or personal items, that were damaged in the accident.
- Loss of Consortium: Spouses or family members may seek damages for the loss of companionship, support, and care resulting from the pedestrian’s injuries.
- Wrongful Death Damages: If the pedestrian does not survive the accident, their surviving family members may recover compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional suffering.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm by the at-fault party, punitive damages may punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Case in Fort Lauderdale?
In Florida, the statute of limitations for a personal injury or wrongful death claim is typically two years. If you don’t file your claim within the required timeframe, you may lose your right to seek compensation. Your lawyer will advise you about how the statute of limitations applies to your claim.
How Much Does a Fort Lauderdale Truck Accident Attorney Cost?
Kaiser Romanello works with clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning fees depend on the successful outcome of the case. There are no upfront costs to you. Our attorneys only get paid if we obtain a favorable settlement or win the case in court.
Contingency fee arrangements level the playing field, making it possible for individuals to obtain fair compensation from a big insurance company and its team of lawyers. They also align the attorney’s interests with the client’s by incentivizing the attorney to secure the best possible outcome, tying their fee to the success of the case.
Contact Kaiser Romanello Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious personal injury after a pedestrian accident, or if someone tragically died as a result of this type of accident, contact the experienced team of Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers at Kaiser Romanello today.
Pedestrian accidents may result in catastrophic physical and emotional injuries, medical costs, chronic pain, reduced quality of life, and lost wages. They also can result in wrongful death.
We have 20 years of experience and know what to look for in establishing liability for your pedestrian accident claim. Kaiser Romanello P.A. offers a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with our lawyers to evaluate your potential claim.
Call us today at (844) 877-8679 to set up a free consultation or fill out the contact form on our website. Our legal team will fight for your right to fair compensation for your injuries, providing you the peace of mind and freedom to focus on your recovery.
