Tampa is a beautiful city with miles of coastline and top-notch shopping, restaurants, and attractions. With resplendent sunshine and warm temperatures most of the year, Tampa also has a large volume of pedestrian traffic throughout the city that must share the roads with vehicle traffic. It’s a formula that unfortunately leads to many pedestrian accidents each year.
If a negligent vehicle driver caused a pedestrian accident in Tampa that injured you or killed a close family member, you could obtain compensation from those responsible. Like all other personal injury claims, successfully navigating a pedestrian accident injury claim and getting compensation involves a complex process, and you will need an attorney for help.
The Tampa pedestrian accident lawyers at Apex Law have extensive experience helping clients throughout the greater Tampa Metro and surrounding areas recover the compensation they need to cover their medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages and losses. We offer free consultations, and we can review your case and advise you of your options. Call us today at (813) 444-5212 or contact us online to request a no-case evaluation of your claim.
How Apex Law Can Help With Your Tampa Pedestrian Accident Claim
Founded by experienced Tampa personal injury attorneys Jeff Constantinos and Chris Castillo, Apex Law has become the trusted source for compassionate and zealous representation for many injured clients in the Tampa region. We understand what you are going through, and our attorneys and staff will place your needs first as we work hard to help you get the maximum compensation you deserve.
Some areas we believe set our firm apart include:
- We are a small practice, and we can devote more of our time and attention to your case. Even though we are small, we have the resources, experience, and skills necessary to handle your claim efficiently, and you can trust you will receive the highest level of representation.
- Our attorneys are competent, diligent, and tenacious. We will work hard to hold all liable parties accountable for your pain and suffering, and we will advocate for you throughout the process to increase your chances of getting the full amount of compensation you need.
- We work on a contingency fee basis. This means we won’t charge you anything upfront to represent you, and we will only accept a fee if we obtain compensation for you.
Our lawyers have received numerous five-star reviews and top ratings from our satisfied clients. We have also received awards and honors from members of the legal community for our remarkable professionalism, outstanding legal abilities, and irreproachable ethical standards. Contact Apex Law today for a no-cost evaluation of your claim and advice on how you can get the compensation you need.
What Are Some Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Tampa?
Pedestrian accidents in Tampa can occur due to various reasons, and some of the most common include:
- Driver negligence. Many pedestrian accidents occur due to driver negligence, such as distracted driving (texting, talking on the phone, eating, etc.), speeding, running red lights or stop signs, failing to yield the right of way at crosswalks, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Failure to yield to pedestrians. Drivers failing to yield to pedestrians at intersections or crosswalks cause many pedestrian accidents. This can happen when drivers are inattentive, unaware of pedestrian right-of-way laws, or simply disregarding them.
- Poor visibility. Low visibility conditions, such as poor lighting, bad weather (rain, fog), or nighttime, can make pedestrians harder for drivers to see. This increases the likelihood of accidents if drivers fail to take precautions.
- Unsafe road conditions. Poorly maintained sidewalks, broken pavement, inadequate signs, or lack of pedestrian crosswalks can contribute to pedestrian accidents. These conditions make it difficult for pedestrians to navigate safely.
- Intoxication. Drunk or inebriated drivers, with their impaired judgment, reduced coordination, and slower reaction times, increase the chances of collisions.
- Inadequate driver awareness. Some drivers may simply fail to anticipate or notice pedestrians, especially in areas with high foot traffic, near schools, or in residential neighborhoods.
- Reckless or aggressive driving. Drivers who engage in reckless behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, or aggressive maneuvers put pedestrians at risk. These actions can limit the time pedestrians have to react and avoid accidents.
- Inadequate pedestrian infrastructure. Insufficient pedestrian infrastructure, including a lack of sidewalks, crosswalks, or pedestrian signals, can increase the likelihood of accidents and make it more challenging for pedestrians to navigate safely.
If a vehicle driver caused a pedestrian accident that injured you, or if improper sidewalk maintenance or some other issue with the pedestrian infrastructure led to the accident and your injuries, contact an experienced Tampa pedestrian accident attorney as soon as possible.
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident?
If you are in a pedestrian accident in Tampa, to ensure your safety and well-being and protect your legal rights:
- Seek medical attention. Prioritize your health and safety by seeking immediate medical attention for your injuries. Not only is this crucial for your well-being, it also helps establish a link between the accident and your injuries. Even if your injuries do not appear serious, get a medical evaluation since you could have sustained severe internal injuries that could kill you without immediate treatment.
- Document the accident scene. If you physically can, document the accident scene by taking photographs or videos that capture the area, including any traffic signs, crosswalks, or relevant details. Additionally, document your injuries, and keep records of any medical treatments or appointments.
- Obtain eyewitness statements. If you can, speak with any witnesses who saw the accident. Collect their contact information and ask them to provide a statement describing what they observed. Eyewitness testimony can establish liability.
- Contact law enforcement. Call the police and report the accident. When they arrive, provide them with an accurate account of what happened. Request a copy of the police report. It will contain important details about the accident that can determine liability.
- Preserve evidence. Preserve any physical evidence that may support your claim. This includes your damaged clothing, the shoes you wore, or any other objects involved in the accident. Do not repair or dispose of any damaged items until you've consulted our Tampa pedestrian accident attorneys.
- Consult our Tampa personal injury attorney. Seek the advice of an experienced Tampa pedestrian accident injury attorney at Apex Law right away. We can evaluate your case, review the evidence, and guide you through the legal process.
How Do I Establish Liability in a Tampa Pedestrian Accident?
Establishing liability in a Tampa pedestrian accident requires gathering evidence and demonstrating that another party's negligence or wrongdoing contributed to the incident. Your attorney will work to establish the responsible party’s negligence by investigating driver behavior, traffic laws, road conditions, and any other relevant circumstances to build a strong case. Your lawyer will gather additional evidence to support your claim, such as surveillance footage, expert opinions, accident reconstruction reports, or any other relevant documentation that strengthens your case.
Florida follows a comparative fault system. This means that multiple parties can bear liability based on their degree of fault. Insurance companies try to avoid paying on claims whenever possible, and they typically try any number of defense tactics to deny claims or reduce the amount they must pay. One tactic they use is to blame you or another driver for the crash.
The insurer may try to show you bear responsibility for your injuries because of:
- Distracted walking. The insurance company may claim you walked while distracted, by watching your smartphone, listening to loud music, or talking with someone else.
- Disregarding traffic signals. The insurer may also claim that you did not follow pedestrian traffic signals, such as walking across an intersection when the signal said “Don’t Walk.”
- Jaywalking. The insurance company may claim you crossed the street inappropriately and thus bear liability for your injuries.
You need a lawyer who can establish that your actions did not contribute significantly to the accident. Our attorneys can thoroughly investigate the incident and collect the necessary evidence to show the driver caused the accident. Our lawyers can also advocate for you and assert your rights if the insurer tries to blame you for your injuries.
How Can an Attorney Help With My Pedestrian Accident Claim?
An attorney with experience handling pedestrian accidents can help you seek compensation for your injuries and losses. Our lawyers will have in-depth knowledge of Florida’s personal injury laws, including those specific to pedestrian accidents, and they understand the legal framework and can navigate the complexities of your case.
Along with helping you gather essential evidence to support your claim and establishing the other party’s liability, our attorneys can you assist by:
- Calculating your damages. Determining the value of your claim involves considering both economic and non-economic damages. Our attorneys can assess medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other relevant factors to accurately calculate the full extent of your damages.
- Filing your claim promptly and properly. Personal injury claims have strict deadlines and legal procedures that must be followed. Our attorneys can file all necessary paperwork correctly and submit it within the required timeframes, preventing any potential issues that could jeopardize your claim.
- Obtaining expert testimony. In complex cases, your attorney may consult medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, or other relevant professionals to strengthen your case. These experts can provide their expertise and opinions, further supporting your claim.
- Negotiating with insurance companies. Our attorneys can handle all communication and negotiations with the insurance company so you don’t have to worry about it. We can advocate for your rights and fight for fair compensation. Our attorneys can present a strong case supported by evidence and expert opinions to maximize your chances of receiving a satisfactory settlement.
- Representing you at trial. If your attorney can’t reach a fair settlement through negotiation, they must prepare to take your case to court. A trial lawyer can represent you during litigation, presenting a compelling case before a judge and jury and advocating for your rights. Our lawyers have consistently demonstrated our ability to successfully do that.
- Providing you peace of mind. One of the most important things a personal injury attorney can provide is peace of mind. Knowing that you have a legal professional handling your pedestrian accident case and fighting for your best interests can relieve your stress and worry so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.
Having an experienced and reputable pedestrian accident attorney handle your case can significantly increase your chances of obtaining fair compensation for your injuries and losses. A lawyer will guide you through the process, protect your rights, and work diligently to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Florida allows you only two years after your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in court. Therefore, you have no time to waste in contacting an attorney and getting started on your pedestrian accident claim.
Contact a Tampa Pedestrian Accident Injury Attorney Today
With more than 20 years of combined legal experience and millions of dollars recovered for thousands of injured clients, the attorneys at Apex Law have the skills, knowledge, and resources to handle your pedestrian accident claim and help you get the maximum compensation possible.
We will review your case at no cost, and you won’t have to pay us anything to represent you. Contact us at Apex Law today at (813) 444-5212 for your free consultation.