Miami pedestrian accident lawyers Tag Archives

September 15, 2024

Miami Pedestrian Accidents: Florida Laws and Your Rights

Miami is a vibrant city known for its sunny weather, beaches, and walkable neighborhoods. Unfortunately, in an urban area with an ever-growing population, pedestrian accidents are a serious concern in South Florida. The state has consistently ranked high in pedestrian fatalities nationwide, and statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHWMV) are proof. Every year, there are almost 11,000 pedestrian accidents statewide, leading to around 785 fatalities and injuries to almost 8,150 victims. Of these, more than 3,650 collisions involving people on foot take place in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties.

You are no doubt feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do if you have been involved in a collision while walking in South Florida. Because of the physical, emotional, and financial impacts, it is important to get help from a Miami pedestrian accident attorney to enforce your rights. You can learn more about how to protect yourself by reviewing some basic information.

Top Three Reasons Behind Pedestrian Accidents

May 22, 2020

Who are Vulnerable Road Users in Miami Traffic Accidents?

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

You are probably aware of the risks of fatal and injury-causing car accidents in Miami, but you may not realize that the threats affect you even when you are not in a four-wheeled vehicle. When collecting data on crashes, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) also includes incidents involving motorcycle riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians. These individuals are designated as “vulnerable” road users, and collisions involving them occur frequently.

For victims, the legal process is similar to accidents involving motorized vehicles, but there are some unique characteristics that make these crashes far more devastating. As such, it is important to work with a Miami attorney who focuses on pedestrian, bicycle, and motorcycle accidents if you were injured. You might also benefit from reviewing some statistics and background information about your rights.

Vulnerable Road Users and Accident Statistics

April 17, 2020

Florida Comparative Fault and Victims of Pedestrian Accidents

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Crash Dashboard indicates that there were 1,607 pedestrian accidents in 2019, leading to 87 fatalities and almost 1,200 injuries to victims. Many of these incidents are caused by driver errors, such as failure to yield, running a red light or stop sign, and many other careless actions. However, if you were hurt in an incident while on foot, you should realize that your own conduct may also be a factor. Even though you probably suffered more extensive injuries being a vulnerable road user, you do not get a reprieve when you were also at fault.

The reason is that Florida has a statute on comparative fault, and it could have an impact on the monetary damages you can recover. You should discuss the implications with a Miami pedestrian accidents attorney, but an overview may be useful.

Comparative Fault in Florida Personal Injury Cases

April 15, 2020

How Seniors can Avoid Becoming Pedestrian Accident Victims

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

People over the age of 65 account for almost 20% of all pedestrian deaths, according to NHTSA data. A pedestrian dies in a car accident every 1.5 hours. Seniors are uniquely vulnerable to becoming pedestrian accident victims. If you are a senior citizen, or your loved one is a senior citizen, how can you avoid becoming the next statistic? Here are a few tips for keeping yourself safe from becoming a Miami senior pedestrian accident victim.

Be Extra Cautious About Distracted Driving

One of the biggest causes of Miami senior pedestrian accidents is distracted or inattentive drivers. Reckless, distracted driving can cause drivers to fail to stop at stop signs or turn carelessly in front of pedestrians in an intersection. Distracted drivers often disregard red lights. Common causes of distracted driving include the following:

October 15, 2014

Pedestrian Accidents are More Complex Than They May Seem

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

When a car hits a pedestrian, it’s no wonder that there is often very serious injury that results. On one side are tons of steel barreling at significant speeds. On the other side, is a soft, slow, and vulnerable human body, which may not even see the accident coming. The result is almost always a huge disaster.

The Facts on Pedestrian Accidents

From 2009-2013 in Miami Dade County, there were 6,419 car-on-pedestrian accidents of varying degrees of injury. In the 0-17 age group, at least one injury was reported in 84% of accidents. Children, who are often walking about the neighborhood, playing in the street with friends, or who just may not appreciate the dangers of walking amongst cars, are sadly the ones most at risk.