If you’ve been injured in Florida due to someone else’s negligence, you might have grounds to file a personal injury claim. This type of claim can compensate you for any damages resulting from your accident, including medical bills and loss of income.
An experienced Ocala pedestrian accident injury lawyer can help you determine liable parties and calculate the value of your claims to obtain fair compensation.
1. Medical Treatment
Florida’s busy roads present a significant risk of injury to pedestrians. Pedestrians are offered little to no protection against the force of motor vehicles, even in designated crosswalks. This leaves them vulnerable to devastating injuries, including broken bones, serious cuts and scars, long-term problems or disabilities, and financial hardship.
Children are especially susceptible to severe injury, as they take risks and do not understand the potential consequences of those actions. In these cases, a parent may be held partially liable for negligence.
The type of damages you can receive for your medical treatment, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses depends on the severity of your injuries. To determine the value of your claim, you need to have a detailed consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.
2. Pain and Suffering
Just like auto accident victims, those who are hurt in pedestrian accidents need compensation for their medical bills and other financial losses. They also deserve compensation for their pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
Even a low-speed crash can cause severe injuries that require ongoing care and result in skyrocketing medical bills. A knowledgeable pedestrian accident lawyer can help determine the liable parties and calculate your total damages so you can pursue fair compensation.
The vast majority of personal injury claims involve some form of negligence. Negligence occurs when someone has a legal obligation to act in a certain way but doesn’t, and that failure causes damage to another person.
For example, a property owner must ensure their premises are safe for guests by putting up a fence around a pool or double-checking whether their dog is on a leash. Property owners can be held liable for a guest’s injury and associated losses if they fail to take those steps.
3. Lost Wages
It can take time to recover from a serious injury, and the loss of income can create financial turmoil. A qualified pedestrian accident attorney can help victims find the financial resources they need to get back on their feet.
The claim’s value depends on several factors, including the severity of the injuries and the prognosis for future health complications, how much work was lost, and other financial impacts of the accident. Your lawyer can also calculate non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Negligent drivers, business owners, and doctors must be held accountable for the harm they cause. A successful personal injury claim can provide some relief for grieving families. In wrongful death cases, a jury may award punitive damages to send the responsible parties a message and deter others from similar negligence.
4. Damages
Pedestrians have no protection from the impact of motor vehicles, so they often suffer severe injuries in car accidents. These can include everything from cuts and bruises to broken bones, concussions, paralysis, and other debilitating injuries.
Anyone who drives on Florida’s roads owes pedestrians a duty of care. When they breach this obligation, they can be held liable for injuries that they cause.
Conclusion
The force of a car accident can also damage property, another thing people can seek compensation for. For instance, if a vehicle crashes through your fence and into your front yard, you could seek damages for your landscaping, home, and other damaged items in the accident.
To recover the maximum damages, you should work with a skilled lawyer who can utilize various resources, including accident reconstruction experts, witnesses, private investigators, traffic cameras, and police reports.