Starke Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you were hit by a car in Starke, FL, you could be entitled to significant compensation. An experienced Starke pedestrian accident lawyer at Allen Law Firm, P.A. can help you fight to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Over their three decades of practice, our attorneys have recovered millions for our clients. We’re ready to put that experience to work in your case.
Call our experienced attorneys in Starke, Florida, today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal rights and options.
How Allen Law Firm, P.A. Can Help After a Pedestrian Accident in Starke
Pedestrian accident victims often face significant challenges immediately following an accident. Pedestrians are the most likely to be seriously hurt in a crash. That often means a lengthy physical recovery–but it’s hard to focus on recovering when bills are piling up.
You shouldn’t have to deal with the consequences alone. You deserve someone with experience in your corner.
At Allen Law Firm, P.A., our team has over 115 years of insurance industry experience between us. That’s right, our lawyers in Starke, Florida, have experience working on both sides of the table–so we know how insurance companies operate and what to expect. We also know how to fight back when they try to delay or deny your settlement.
When you hire our Starke personal injury lawyers, you can expect a lawyer who will:
- Manage all legal issues involved in your case so you can focus on recovering
- Find the evidence to prove who was responsible for your accident
- Hire experts and specialists to strengthen your claim
- Handle all negotiations with the insurance company and defense lawyers
- Prepare your case for trial if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement
- Focus on winning the maximum compensation possible in your case
Our lawyers have been fighting for seriously injured clients across North Central Florida for almost 30 years. We understand what you’re up against. We offer a free consultation so you don’t have to worry about money when you need legal advice. Call today to schedule your free case evaluation with a Starke personal injury attorney.
How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents in Starke, FL?
Florida can be a dangerous place for pedestrians. Pedestrians may have miles of sandy beaches for safe travel.
However, in Starke, most pedestrians are sharing the roads with cars, trucks, and buses.
Thousands of Floridians are hurt in pedestrian crashes every year. In fact, studies show that Florida is one of five states that account for 47% of all pedestrian fatalities nationwide.
In 2020 alone, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported 8,087 pedestrian accidents. Of those, 699 pedestrians lost their lives in fatal accidents.
What is My Starke Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
Perhaps the most common question injured clients ask in any personal injury or medical malpractice case is: what is my personal injury case worth?
In reality, there isn’t a clear answer until your lawyer has evaluated the circumstances of the accident. Victims are entitled to economic damages or reimbursement for their expenses. They can also recover non-economic damages for more personal losses, including trauma and pain.
Past economic damages are usually fairly easy to value using receipts, medical records, and other documentation. To calculate your future economic losses, including the cost of future medical care, we might bring in experts to better understand your prognosis and long-term needs.
Non-economic damages are tied to the nature and severity of your injuries.
Important questions in evaluating the value of your non-economic damages award include:
- Will you suffer a long-term or permanent disability?
- What types of medical treatment will you need?
- How much physical pain did the injury cause?
- How did the injury impact your everyday life?
- Did the circumstances surrounding the accident cause serious emotional trauma?
Limitations on an at-fault party’s insurance coverage can also play an important role in assessing your case’s true value. That’s why it’s especially important to identify all parties who played any role in your accident.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Pedestrian Accident Victims?
Treating a serious injury can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Even the best health insurance policies likely won’t cover the full cost of your treatment. At Allen Law Firm, P.A., we’ll demand the full value of the economic and non-economic damages available in your case.
Available compensation might include money for:
- Past medical bills, emergency room visits, and hospitalization
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages and income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
If the at-fault driver was drunk or your case involved gross negligence, you could also be entitled to punitive damages.
Remember, you don’t automatically receive these damages. You’ll have to ask for them. Even your own insurance company might fight you when it comes to paying what’s fair. Our Starke pedestrian accident attorneys will help you prove the amount and types of damages you deserve.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Pedestrian Accident in Florida?
Yes – up to a certain point. Under the modified comparative fault laws in Florida, you can recover damages even if you’re partly responsible for the accident, just so long as you’re not mostly responsible.
Insurance companies often try to use the shared fault rules to shift as much of the blame as possible onto the victim. If they succeed, your damages award will be reduced to account for your share of the blame. And if they pin most of the blame onto you (51% or more), you cannot recover any damages under Florida law.
In other words, the insurance company won’t have to pay the value of your full damages.
Don’t automatically assume the insurance company is right when they try to blame you. They might not have the evidence to back up their allegations. A personal injury lawyer can be a big help if you’re being blamed for an accident. We know how to use the evidence in your case to minimize the impact of any shared fault arguments.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Most pedestrians don’t have any physical protection when walking down the street.
Cars have airbags, seatbelts, and other safety devices–and even bicyclists often wear helmets. That means pedestrians are likely to suffer the most devastating injuries in auto accidents.
At Allen Law Firm, P.A., we’re here to help you demand compensation for all of your injuries.
We often represent clients who have suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Paralysis
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries and road rash
- Crush injuries
- Chest injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Amputations
- Paralysis
Pedestrian accident injuries can be catastrophic and even fatal. If you’ve lost a loved one, we can help you file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, and more.
What Causes Most Pedestrian Accidents in Starke, Florida?
Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Starke include:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Speeding to beat a yellow light
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Excessive speeds
- Malfunctioning traffic signals
- Poorly designed intersections
- Aggressive driving
- Unsafe passing
- Illegal or unsafe turns
- Drunk driving
- Poor visibility
- Missing or damaged pedestrian infrastructure, including crosswalks and sidewalks
Negligent drivers are usually responsible for pedestrian accidents. However, pedestrians themselves can share the blame. Sometimes, defective vehicle components or traffic signals can play a role.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Pedestrian Accident in Florida?
It’s not enough to simply identify someone responsible for your accident. You have to prove they were responsible for your injuries to recover compensation. In Florida, that means proving negligence in most cases.
You’ll have to prove that:
- The responsible party owed you a duty of care
- They breached their duty of care
- The reckless or negligent acts caused your injuries
- You suffered damages
You might have a personal injury claim against anyone whose negligence caused you to get hurt. As in car accidents and truck accidents, the no-fault insurance limits in Florida are relatively low. That makes it important to locate all parties who might share in the blame. That way, we can fight to hold each party fully accountable for their share of your damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Pedestrian Accident in Florida?
In Florida, the statute of limitations deadline for most personal injury cases was recently changed. If your pedestrian accident happened on or after March 24th, 2023, you’ll have two years to file your claim. You’ll have four years if your accident took place before that date.
The statute of limitations is a firm deadline, but there are exceptions for some cases. If you miss the filing deadline, you lose your right to compensation entirely. Contacting an attorney to confirm the deadline for your situation is recommended.
Contact a Starke Pedestrian Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you were hit by a car while walking, running, or jogging, a Starke pedestrian accident lawyer can make a vast difference in your case. Call Allen Law Firm, P.A. today to schedule a free case review and learn more about how we can help you get the fair compensation you deserve.
