Port St. Lucie Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrian accidents injure thousands of people in Florida and end up killing about 350. Port St. Lucie, like many cities in Florida, has struggled with pedestrian safety. It seems like our roads are designed with only motorists in mind. Those who get around on foot must confront many hazards, including dangerous drivers and poorly designed streets.
If you were hurt as a pedestrian, please call Smith, Ball & Báez today. You might be able to sue the driver or use other insurance to cover the costs of your injuries. Below, a Port St. Lucie pedestrian accident lawyer reviews the different options available and can provide targeted advice in a free consultation.
Can You Receive Compensation for a Pedestrian Accident?
If someone else is at least partially to blame for your accident, you might seek compensation. Of course, it is easier said than done to obtain compensation. Some motorists are completely uninsured, so anyone struck by this driver must try to find other sources of compensation.
Motorists must use reasonable care when driving. At a minimum, this means following the rules of the road, including the duty to yield. Unfortunately, many pedestrians get struck by drivers who fly through intersections or back up without a care for who they might hurt.
An injured pedestrian might seek compensation from one of the following:
- Personal injury protection (PIP) benefits. To register a vehicle, motorists in Florida should have PIP coverage. A little-known fact is that this insurance covers pedestrian crashes. Even better, you might be covered under a family member’s PIP policy if you live with them. Because PIP benefits are no-fault, you can usually access them easily so long as you get care quickly.
- Uninsured motorist coverage. You might have purchased this insurance along with bodily injury liability insurance. If the driver who struck you was uninsured, you can try to use UM benefits. This insurance should cover medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering.
- A driver’s liability insurance. Some motorists buy bodily injury liability coverage, which is usually optional in Florida. If the driver hit you negligently, you can usually make a claim on this policy.
- Crime victim compensation fund. If you were struck by a hit-and-run driver, you are a crime victim. You might seek money from this compensation fund, which is designed to help those victimized by criminal behavior.
A lawyer can analyze which insurance policy applies, if any. We can also get to work finding evidence to reconstruct how the accident unfolded. This evidence is critical to bringing many claims—especially to show that you are not to blame for your accident.
Call Us Today
Our Port St. Lucie pedestrian accident lawyers have helped many injured victims. Although you might think you can negotiate your own settlement, you would benefit from our legal expertise. Many motorists blame pedestrians for their own accidents, and fault can matter with some insurance policies. Let us review all the facts to determine who is really the at-fault party in your accident.
