Ocala Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Florida takes the top spot in the nation when it comes to dangerous pedestrian accidents. If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident in Ocala, you could be entitled to significant compensation.
An experienced Ocala pedestrian accident lawyer at Allen Law Firm, P.A. can protect your legal rights. We also represent injury victims after Ocala mass transit accidents, Ocala wrongful deaths, Ocala hit-and-run accidents, catastrophic injuries, insurance coverage disputes, and uninsured motorist claims, among others.
To learn more about getting the most compensation possible for your injuries, schedule a free consultation today by calling us at (352) 351-3258. Contact our Ocala personal injury lawyers near you to get started.
How Can An Ocala Personal Injury Lawyer Help if I Was Hurt in a Pedestrian Accident?
Your pedestrian accident case might initially seem straightforward. Pedestrians have the right-of-way, right? Unfortunately, many factors can complicate your case. The driver might claim you darted into the road. The insurance company might try to point the finger at another motor vehicle on the road.
Our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys can help with these and other challenges. When you hire us, our team will:
- Gather evidence to support your claim against the at-fault driver
- Work with experts who can weigh in about the value of your case
- Defend your rights when the insurance company tries to blame the victim
- Handle all communications with the insurance company and make sure they take your case seriously
- Advocate for your rights in a court of law if the insurance company refuses to play fair
At Allen Law Firm, P.A., our Ocala personal injury attorneys are experienced in the courtroom and at the negotiating table. We’ve been dealing with large insurance companies for decades. We have over 23 years of experience successfully handling personal injury claims in Central Florida.
However, we also have a unique perspective gained by working for the other side. Members of our team have more than 115 years of combined experience working for insurance companies. We know exactly what the insurance company will try to do to minimize the value of your claim. Our lawyers use that inside knowledge to your advantage to beat the insurance companies at their own game.
Florida Pedestrian Accident Trends
An average of about 800 people are killed in Florida pedestrian and bicycle accidents each year. Between 2008 and 2017, 5,433 people were killed in Florida pedestrian accidents. In fact, nine of the 20 most dangerous cities for pedestrians are in Florida.
According to a Smart Growth America study, about 2.73 people per 100,000 Florida residents will die in a pedestrian accident. The “Dangerous by Design” study found that across the U.S., about 13 people die in a pedestrian accident every hour. Despite increased safety efforts, pedestrian accidents are on the rise nationwide. Between 2008 and 2017, pedestrian deaths increased by over 35% across the U.S.
People aged 50 and higher are disproportionately more likely to die in a pedestrian accident than younger Americans. The risk of death is almost twice as high for Floridians aged 75 and up.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Ocala, FL
Pedestrians can share the roads safely if all parties remain alert and follow the traffic laws–especially at intersections.
Most pedestrian accidents are caused by drivers who aren’t paying attention. Still, you have to prove driver negligence to establish financial liability after an accident.
Some of the most common causes of Ocala pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Speeding
- Drug and alcohol use
- Poorly designed intersections
- Improper or illegal passing
- Malfunctioning traffic signals
If you or a loved one were injured in a pedestrian accident, hire an attorney to find out why. Identifying the cause of your accident can be key to getting fair compensation. At Allen Law Firm, P.A., we’ll do everything we can to help you get back on your feet again.
Frequently Reported Pedestrian Accident Injuries
The severity of pedestrian accident injuries is influenced by a number of factors. The speed of the vehicle and direction of the impact can each play a role.
Some of the most common injuries pedestrian accident victims experience include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Injury to the upper extremities
- Facial injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Chest injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Pelvic injuries
- Broken bones
- Joint injuries
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Even low-speed crashes have the potential to cause serious, debilitating injuries–especially if the pedestrian’s head strikes the concrete. Many pedestrian accidents are unfortunately fatal.
What Should I Do After an Ocala Pedestrian Accident?
Your immediate action steps should be the same as those needed after any other car accident. That means you should protect your health and get medical attention right away.
You should also call the police if you can. As with an auto accident, a formal accident report is an important piece of evidence in your case.
If your injuries seem minor and you can wait for the police to arrive, the following can be helpful:
- Check to see if anyone else was hurt and make sure medical help is on the way
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene
- Exchange contact information and insurance paperwork with the driver (you can take photos of their insurance documents)
- Look around and see if anyone witnessed the accident–get their contact information if possible
If you don’t need an ambulance, seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Some injuries don’t show up immediately. Immediate medical help protects your right to claim personal injury protection (PIP) benefits.
Remember not to speak with insurance adjusters or sign any paperwork until you’ve spoken with a lawyer about your case. Our Ocala pedestrian accident attorneys can explain what to do and help with these communications.
Florida’s Comparative Fault Rules
Blame the victim is a common game played by insurance adjusters across Florida. We highly recommend establishing an attorney-client relationship with a personal injury lawyer if the insurance company tries to blame you. Never accept a lowball insurance offer just because the insurance adjuster points the finger at you.
In Florida, you don’t lose your right to compensation if you were partly to blame. Florida follows a pure comparative fault rule. Your compensation award can be reduced if you’re found partly at-fault–but you don’t lose the full value of your claim.
Say your case goes to court. If the jury awards you $100,000 in damages and finds you 20% responsible for the accident, you’ll still be entitled to $80,000 in compensation. Insurance companies don’t want you to know this. They know that most accident victims don’t know the details of the law–and use that to avoid paying the compensation you deserve.
How Much is My Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
This is probably one of the most common questions accident victims have. It’s also difficult to answer without knowing the specific details of your case.
Once our lawyers find out what happened and investigate the scope of your injuries, we can give you a more accurate estimate.
In general, pedestrian accident victims in Ocala are entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future medical bills
- Lost future earning capacity
- Physical therapy
- Any specialized rehabilitative care
- Long-term care
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Damages for wrongful death, including loss of consortium and financial support
We’ll fight to get every dollar you deserve. It can be hard to know what your case is worth on your own. Medical bills and lost wages might be easy to estimate. Future costs and emotional losses are much more difficult to value.
Financial, medical, and psychological experts can help put a dollar value on these costs–but insurance companies will try to take advantage before we get involved.
The insurance company might offer a settlement that seems hard to turn down. If your bills are piling up and you can’t work, it’s understandable that you need money in your pocket now. Taking an initial offer can create problems in the future–when you still require care but have run out of money.
Our lawyers can review your offer and explain your options. We’re here to protect your rights.
All you have to do is call for a free consultation.
Are There Any Time Limits for Filing a Claim?
Time is always limited to file an insurance claim. It’s important that we get started as soon as possible so that we can file our demand by the insurance company’s deadline.
Florida gives you four years to file a personal injury lawsuit. You only have two years to file an action for wrongful death if you lost a loved one.
If the defendant is a government agency, you’re required to file a notice of claim within six months of the accident.
Once your time is up, the negligent driver is let off the hook. Give our law firm a call today to learn more about steps we can take to preserve your right to compensation.
Contact an Experienced Ocala Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer for a Free Case Review Today
If you’re battling injuries after a pedestrian accident, you don’t have to wait to get help. An experienced Ocala pedestrian accident lawyer at Allen Law Firm, P.A. is available to review your case. We’ll get to work immediately and start building your case while you recover.
Your initial consultation is always free, so call or contact our law offices online today.
Our personal injury law firm in Ocala, FL also provides:
- Assault Injuries Attorneys in Ocala
- Aviation Accident Lawyers in Ocala, FL
- Brain Injury Lawyers in Ocala, FL
- Burn Injury Lawyer in Ocala, FL
- Car Accident Attorneys in Ocala, FL
- Catastrophic Injury Attorneys in Ocala, FL
- Child Injuries Attorney in Ocala, FL
- Medical Malpractice Attorneys in Ocala, FL
- Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Ocala, FL
- Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Ocala, FL
- Premises Liability Attorneys in Ocala, FL
- Product Liability Lawyers in Ocala, FL
- Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers in Ocala, FL
- Train Accidents Attorneys in Ocala
- Truck Accident Lawyers in Ocala, FL
- Uber Accidents Lawyers in Ocala, FL
- Workplace Accidents Attorney in Ocala
- Workers’ Compensation Attorneys in Ocala, FL
Recent Ocala Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
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- Complete Care: Integrative Physical Medicine – 316 SE 12th St Unit 100, Ocala, FL 34471, United States
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*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.
Additional Ocala Pedestrian Accident Resources
- City of Ocala Traffic Operations
- Ocala Transportation Safety
- Ocala Police Department – File a Police Report
What Our Ocala Clients Are Saying About Us
Read more of our Google Reviews.
Ocala Pedestrian Accident Infographic
Visit Our Ocala, FL Personal Injury Law Office
Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258
