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Pedestrian accidents often result in serious injuries, leaving victims with a lifetime of worry, pain, and financial hardship. The Tampa pedestrian accident lawyers at Kogan & DiSalvo are passionate allies for those who have suffered injuries caused by the careless and negligent actions of others. If you or someone close to you was injured by a motor vehicle while walking in Hillsborough County or anywhere in the Tampa area, we are here to provide you with the skilled and effective legal representation you need.
Why Is Tampa So Dangerous for Pedestrians?
Tampa consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous cities for pedestrians, ranking fourth in the nation for fatalities in a recent study.
Why is it so dangerous to get around on foot in Tampa and Hillsborough County? Many factors contribute to the dangers, including increasing population (and traffic) and roads that were not designed for pedestrian safety. The Tampa area is also abundant with beaches, parks, and other attractions that draw people traveling on foot.
Some Tampa-area roads, such as U.S. Highway 19, require pedestrians to cross as many as six traffic lanes to get from one side to the other. This is where crosswalks are present. In many stretches of Highway 19, legal crossing areas are spaced so far apart that pedestrians may be compelled to jaywalk amidst heavy and fast-moving traffic.
The result of these accidents is often catastrophic and, all too often, fatal. Recent statistics showed that an average of 18 pedestrians died in the Tampa Bay Area per month.
Local officials are considering options for reducing dangers to pedestrians, including increasing the time between traffic signals, improving illumination, and ramping up enforcement of traffic laws in areas where pedestrian accidents are likely to occur.
We must all take steps to protect the lives of pedestrians. If you are a pedestrian yourself, pay attention to your surroundings and avoid distracted walking. That text or email can wait till you are home. Drivers must always pay attention to their surroundings, especially near crosswalks and in other areas where pedestrians are likely to be present, such as parking lots and school zones.
Determining the Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
One of the key reasons to work with an experienced Tampa personal injury attorney is so that you have a legal ally on your side who knows how to find the facts. Our thorough investigations into the causes of pedestrian accidents often uncover facts and circumstances that play a critical role in successfully resolving a personal injury claim.
Pedestrian accidents are commonly caused when drivers do the following:
- Run red lights while pedestrians are legally passing through a crosswalk
- Take right turns on red lights without looking for pedestrians
- Drive while distracted, including texting while driving
- Drink & drive
- Back out of parking spaces without checking the rearview mirror for people on foot
- Drive too fast near schools, parks, playgrounds, tourist attractions, and other areas where pedestrians are likely to be present
Why You Should Consult a Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Tampa
Pedestrians have no protection in the event of a collision with a car or truck and often suffer:
- Broken arms, legs, pelvises, clavicles and ribs
- Injuries to internal organs such as the stomach, liver, and kidneys
- Herniated discs, spine fractures, and other back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Soft tissue injuries such as sprained and strained muscles and torn tendons
- Injuries that result in paralysis, including paraplegia and quadriplegia
A pedestrian hit by a car in Tampa may face many hardships, including permanent and disabling injuries. In addition to physical injuries, victims may suffer psychologically as well, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as they are forced to relive the accident over and over again in their minds.
One of the key responsibilities of a Tampa pedestrian accident lawyer is to evaluate the various ways victims have been impacted. Our firm does not employ a one-size-fits-all approach to pedestrian accident claims. We will work with you personally to determine how this accident has affected your life and the resources you need to move forward.
Fatal Pedestrian Accident Claims
Because of the vulnerability of pedestrians, these accidents all too often result in fatal injuries. If your loved one died after being struck by a car or truck in the Tampa area, remember that you have important legal rights. By pursuing a wrongful death claim, you may be able to recover compensation for the financial and emotional hardships you have suffered as a result of this loss.
Who Might Be Liable for My Accident?
Many pedestrian accidents are the result of negligence on the part of drivers of cars and trucks. As bicycle traffic continues to increase on Tampa roads, pedestrian vs. bicycle accidents are also on the rise. Fault may also lie with government agencies responsible for designing intersections and crosswalks and programming walk signs and other traffic signals.
A knowledgeable Tampa pedestrian accident lawyer will consider all potential liable parties. This has a two-fold effect. For one, a thorough investigation may open up additional sources of compensation for the accident victim.
Secondly, by holding all parties accountable for their actions, we can deter others from making the same mistakes, hopefully making Tampa area streets and roads safer for others.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
First and foremost, get medical treatment as soon as possible. Even if you think you are fine, you may, in fact, have internal injuries that are only detectable with a full medical examination.
If possible, gather all the information you can from the accident scene, including:
- The contact and insurance information of the driver
- Contact information from potential eyewitnesses
- Photographs of the crosswalk, intersection, parking lot, or other area where the accident occurred
- Photographs of injuries, including cuts, bruises, and lacerations
Medical treatment is important for your well-being, of course, but it can also strengthen your legal claim for compensation. Without such evidence, you may have a harder time obtaining the financial resources you need to recover from this injury. The more information and evidence your attorney has, the better he or she can protect your rights at the negotiating table or, if necessary, at trial.
What Not to Do
One thing you should not do after a pedestrian accident in Tampa is to accept a settlement offer before speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer. An insurance company may try to pressure you into accepting an offer that does not take into account all of the hardships you face and will continue to face as a result of this accident.
Always talk to your own personal injury lawyer before making any important decisions about your case. It may be worth far more than you think. The Tampa pedestrian accident lawyers at Kogan & DiSalvo have the knowledge and experience to help you understand the true value of your claim, and to fight for every dollar you deserve.
Legal Help for Injured Pedestrians in Hillsborough County
At our firm, a pedestrian accident attorney in Tampa will guide you through every step of your legal claim, helping you understand your rights and how the law applies in your unique situation.
You don’t have to face this complex legal issue alone. Contact our law offices today to arrange a free initial consultation with an experienced member of our legal team.
