Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Hollywood, FL

Were you hit by a motor vehicle while walking in Hollywood, Florida? The pedestrian accident lawyers at the law firm of Rosen & Ohr, P.A., are ready to help you seek maximum compensation from the motorist who hit you. Too often, negligent drivers cause pedestrian accidents, resulting in devastating injuries and staggering financial losses for victims. When it happens, the at-fault driver should pay, not the victim.

Contact us online or call Rosen & Ohr, P.A., today for a free consultation with a Hollywood pedestrian accident attorney to learn more about your legal options.

Why You Should Choose Our Hollywood Pedestrian Injury Lawyers

After experiencing a frightening pedestrian accident, you need a dependable, effective legal advocate who can take the pressure off you. You should choose the Hollywood pedestrian injury lawyers at Rosen & Ohr, P.A., because:

• We have served injured people in Hollywood and South Florida for more than 50 years.
• Our attorneys work on your case from start to finish, no matter how complex or lengthy.
• We are not afraid to go to trial if that is needed to win you compensation.
• We treat our clients with compassion, loyalty, respect, and professionalism.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics for Hollywood, FL

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 9,569 pedestrian accidents occurred statewide in a single recent year. These accidents resulted in 835 fatalities, 1,431 incapacitating injuries, and 5,900 other injuries.

That same year, 1,037 pedestrian crashes occurred in Broward County alone, resulting in 78 deaths and 832 injuries. That means more than three pedestrians are hit somewhere in Broward County every day on average, injuring innocent people, sometimes fatally.

Smart Growth America ranks Florida as the second-most dangerous state for pedestrians. Furthermore, seven of the 20 most dangerous metropolitan areas in the U.S. are located in Florida.

Common Causes and Types of Pedestrian Accidents

Various factors can contribute to pedestrian accidents, and driver negligence is an extremely common factor. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Hollywood include the following:

• Distracted driving – Distracted driving is a widespread cause of pedestrian accidents. When drivers get distracted by their phones, passengers, or other items or events inside or outside the car, they may not see pedestrians in or about to enter crosswalks at intersections.
• Speeding – Drivers going too fast might be unable to stop in time to avoid hitting pedestrians.
• Drunk or drugged driving – Alcohol or drugs can impair vision, reduce reaction time, and increase fatigue. As a result, drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs are more likely to cause pedestrian accidents.
• Disobeying traffic signals or signs – Drivers who ignore traffic control signals or signs put pedestrians at risk. Under Florida law, drivers must obey traffic control signals at crosswalks whenever pedestrians with permitted signals are crossing or about to cross the road.
• Failing to yield – At intersections without traffic control signals or signs, Florida law requires drivers to yield the right of way to pedestrians in or about to enter crosswalks. Drivers who fail to yield to legally crossing pedestrians put those pedestrians at risk of injury.
• Left-hand turns – Drivers turning left at intersections or into driveways or parking lots can cause devastating accidents if they don’t see pedestrians crossing streets or sidewalks.
• Backing up – Drivers who fail to check behind their vehicles before backing up sometimes collide with people walking behind them.
• Vehicle malfunctions – In some cases, vehicle malfunctions, such as brake failures or tire blowouts, cause drivers to lose control and hit pedestrians.

Common Injuries Suffered in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accident victims can suffer a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to severe, life-threatening wounds. Some of the most common injuries in pedestrian accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Internal organ damage and bleeding
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Joint damage
• Neck and back injuries
• Soft tissue strains and sprains
• Scarring
• Cuts and bruises
• Wrongful death

Compensation Available for Hollywood Pedestrian Accident Victims

Hollywood pedestrian accident victims have several options for recovering compensation for their injuries. First, if you own a vehicle registered in Florida, the law requires you to maintain personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. You can file a claim with your PIP insurance after a pedestrian accident. If you do not have PIP insurance of your own or if you do not live in a household with someone who does, the PIP policy of the driver who hit you will generally extend to cover you.

However, PIP insurance only covers some of your accident-related losses, including 80 percent of reasonable and necessary medical expenses and 60 percent of lost income. Furthermore, the amount of recoverable compensation under PIP Insurance is subject to a policy limit, which is $10,000 if you carry only the minimum amount. Most pedestrian accidents result in far more significant losses.

If you suffer serious injuries in the accident, you could have grounds for a liability claim or lawsuit against the driver who hit you, provided you meet specific legal criteria. With a successful claim, you could seek compensation for losses such as:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income 
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Loss of quality of life

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident

After a pedestrian accident, you must take care of your health and safety. Prioritize getting yourself the medical care you need, and then follow your doctor’s orders diligently. While you are recovering, our pedestrian accident lawyers can advocate for your rights and interests. We can help you explore all options for recovering compensation, from filing an insurance claim to the possibility of a lawsuit.

Can I Still Be Compensated If the Driver Fled the Scene of the Accident?

Yes. Victims of hit-and-run pedestrian accidents may still recover compensation, even if law enforcement never catches the at-fault driver.  In this circumstance, be sure to call an attorney immediately so that evidence can be gathered and an investigation can be conducted before evidence is lost.  In addition to making a claim against the hit-and-run driver, you may also file a PIP claim and an uninsured motorist (UM) claim if you carry auto insurance. Our attorneys can explore all potential sources of insurance coverage and pursue maximum compensation from all that apply.

Talk to Our Experienced Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Hollywood Today

If you were the victim of a pedestrian accident in Hollywood, FL, the experienced attorneys at Rosen & Ohr, P.A., are ready to pursue fair compensation for you. Let our pedestrian accident attorneys shoulder the stress and hassle of a legal case while you focus on your recovery.

Contact us today for a free initial consultation to learn more about how we can help.