JONES LAW GROUP | Your Lawyers for Life! Personal Injury Law Firm in St. Petersburg

Jones Law Group logo, Personal Injury Lawyer in St Petersburg Floridajones law group attorney lawyer logo
Mom and young son crossing the street while a car approaches

Understanding the Legal Rights of Pedestrians After an Accident

Summary Pedestrian accidents unfortunately occur all too often in Florida, leaving victims with devastating injuries and significant legal challenges. Understanding the legal rights of pedestrians after an accident is crucial for obtaining the compensation they deserve. Those whose negligence caused injuries must face accountability. At Jones Law Group, our personal injury lawyers take every case […]

Call our personal injury law office directly at (727) 512-9847

Find Out If You Have a Personal Injury Case

At Jones Law Group in St. Petersburg, FL, we would like to hear from you. Contact us for a free personal injury case consultation.

Call our personal injury law office at (727) 512-9847

Florida Personal Injury Insights

Get educated on the Florida's personal injury laws and more.

Summary

  • Florida law protects the legal rights of pedestrians to navigate roadways safely.
  • Pedestrian accidents commonly occur due to distracted driving, speeding, and other reasons.
  • A skilled attorney knows how to investigate a pedestrian accident to determine who was to blame.
  • Lawyers can also fight for compensation by negotiating with insurers and taking them to court if needed.

Pedestrian accidents unfortunately occur all too often in Florida, leaving victims with devastating injuries and significant legal challenges. Understanding the legal rights of pedestrians after an accident is crucial for obtaining the compensation they deserve. Those whose negligence caused injuries must face accountability.

At Jones Law Group, our personal injury lawyers take every case seriously, no matter the size. We want you to feel like a priority, because to us, you are.

Our team of pedestrian accident attorneys have successfully advocated for injured Floridians for years, earning us the trust of our community. Please schedule a free consultation by contacting us online or calling (727) 571-1333. 

Florida Laws Regarding Pedestrian Accidents

There were 10,255 pedestrian accidents in Florida in 2023, resulting in 777 deaths and 8,108 injuries. Florida law prioritizes pedestrian safety, especially given the high pedestrian accident rates. 

Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at intersections with traffic signals. Even when pedestrians disregard safety and cross outside designated crosswalks, drivers must exercise caution and yield to them.

Florida also follows a modified comparative negligence system. In cases where the injured party is partially to blame for an accident, they may still recover compensation. There are two caveats to this. 

First, the plaintiff’s actions can’t represent more than 50% of the negligent behavior that led to the pedestrian accident. Second, a pedestrian who contributed to their own accident can recover compensation, minus a percentage that corresponds with the amount of fault they were responsible for.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents can occur due to various factors, often involving negligence. Some common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

  • Distracted driving: Drivers distracted by their phones, passengers, or other activities may fail to notice pedestrians crossing the road.
  • Failure to yield: Motorists who disregard pedestrian right-of-way laws or fail to stop at crosswalks put pedestrians at risk.
  • Speeding: Excessive speeding reduces a driver’s ability to react to pedestrians and increases the severity of injuries in the event of a collision.
  • Impaired driving: Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs are more likely to cause catastrophic accidents involving pedestrians.
  • Poor visibility: Lack of adequate lighting, obscured crosswalks, or obstructed sightlines can make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians.

Investigating Pedestrian Accidents

Experienced attorneys conduct thorough investigations to gather evidence and determine liability in pedestrian accidents. The following are key components of investigations designed to protect the legal rights of pedestrians after an accident.

Interviewing Witnesses and Obtaining Statements

Witness statements provide firsthand accounts of the accident. They can fill in gaps in the evidence by providing additional context like how events leading up to the collision unfolded. 

Witness testimony can corroborate or challenge the accounts provided by the involved parties, helping to establish the facts surrounding the accident and determine liability. 

Reviewing Surveillance Footage or Dashcam Recordings

Surveillance footage or dashcam recordings can provide objective evidence of the accident, capturing the incident from multiple angles and viewpoints. 

This visual evidence can help validate witness statements and clarify discrepancies in the accounts provided by the involved parties. They provide a clearer picture of what transpired leading up to, during, and after the pedestrian accident. 

Surveillance footage can also capture details that eyewitnesses may have missed or overlooked at the accident scene.

Analyzing Police Reports and Accident Reconstructions

Police reports and accident reconstructions provide detailed documentation of the accident scene, including observations made by law enforcement officers, diagrams of the accident scene, measurements of skid marks or vehicle positions, and other pertinent information. 

Analyzing these reports and reconstructions can help investigators piece together the sequence of events leading up to the accident, identify potential contributing factors or causes, and assess the actions of the involved parties. 

Examining Medical Records and Consulting with Medical Experts

Examining medical records and consulting with medical experts are essential to assessing the extent of a pedestrian’s injuries. 

Medical records provide detailed documentation of the injuries suffered by the pedestrian, including diagnoses, treatment plans, and prognoses. 

Consulting with medical experts allows for a thorough evaluation of the injuries, including their severity, long-term implications, and potential impact on the pedestrian’s quality of life. 

This information is crucial for accurately calculating damages and ensuring pedestrians receive appropriate compensation for their injuries.

In addition to investigating the accident, lawyers play a vital role in helping injured pedestrians obtain maximum compensation. Some ways they can assist include:

  • Negotiating with insurance companies: Lawyers negotiate to secure fair settlements that cover economic damages like medical expenses and lost wages.They also account for non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
  • Filing pedestrian accident lawsuits: If the insurer refuses to settle, attorneys may file a lawsuit for the injured pedestrian and advocate for their rights in court.
  • Advocating for rehabilitation and support services: Accident injury attorneys also help injured pedestrians access necessary medical treatment, rehabilitation services, and support resources to aid their recovery and improve their quality of life.
  • Providing legal guidance: Lawyers educate injured pedestrians about their legal rights, guide them through the claims process, and offer support and counsel every step of the way.

Knowing your rights after a pedestrian accident can help you maintain the integrity of your claim. At Jones Law Group, our personal injury attorneys have a long track record of protecting the legal rights of pedestrians after an accident.

Our team will go the extra mile to help you obtain maximum compensation. Find out what we can do for you by calling (727) 571-1333 or using our online form.


Frequently Asked Questions

What are the potential penalties for drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians in Florida?

Drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians in Florida may face penalties such as fines, points on their driving record, and increased insurance rates. In cases involving severe injury or wrongful death, drivers may also face criminal charges.

How can pedestrians protect themselves from accidents?

Pedestrians can protect themselves from accidents by following key safety tips. For example, obeying traffic signals, using designated crosswalks, remaining vigilant of their surroundings, and avoiding distractions such as phones or headphones while walking.

How long will it take for me to receive a check after my pedestrian accident claim is settled?

Typically, you would be looking at a time frame of four to six weeks to receive your settlement payout. The settlement check is usually routed through your personal injury lawyer, who covers outstanding medical bills and recovers their contingency fee first.

Related Legal Issues Insights

Car Accident

How to Use Car Insurance After an Accident in Florida

Summary: Car accidents can be overwhelming, leaving you with not only physical injuries but also a slew of practical concerns. The biggest will likely be getting the money to which you’re entitled from your insurance company. The following is a look at how to use your car insurance after an accident. The Jones Law Group […]

Drinking while driving

MADD: Only 61% of Drunk Drivers are Convicted of Crimes

A recent report by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) showed that only 61% of drunk drivers are convicted of their charges. The information in this report was collected from September 1, 2017 to September 1, 2018. The conviction rate is down 7 percent from the previous year. MADD has staff and volunteers that regularly monitor […]

Car Accident in Florida

Florida’s Uninsured Motorists

By: Heath C. Murphy + – Personal Injury Florida has the lowest required automobile insurance of any state in the country. In fact, Florida does not even require that its drivers, save those with a DUI conviction or a violation of the Financial Responsibility Law, to maintain bodily injury coverage. This means that many drivers […]

Car And Motorcycle

How Can I Pay My Medical Bills After a Motorcycle Accident?

There are several different types of motorcycle accidents, but they all have one thing in common – they usually result in severe injuries for riders. You may do everything right when you’re on a motorcycle – you follow all safety rules, and you do everything you can to avoid being in a collision. But sometimes, […]

Line of different types of cars parked, some of which tend to cause more accidents than others

What Types of Cars Cause the Most Accidents?

Certain types of cars are more likely to be involved in causing car accidents based on factors like size and safety features. Summary Understanding the vehicles most likely to cause auto accidents can save lives. Whether you’re a driver, personal injury victim, car enthusiast, or simply someone who values safety, knowing which types of vehicles […]

Man in Suit

Do I Need an Attorney If I am Injured In a Car Accident?

According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles “Florida Crash Dashboard”, the most recent data shows that 403,626 accidents occurred in the state of Florida in 2018. This figure includes bicycle, motorcycle, pedestrian and hit and run accidents. Notably, a staggering 63% of all crashes in the state of Florida involve injury. In most […]

Do you have a personal injury case in Tampa Bay, Florida?

Speak with us before time runs out! In Florida, you have a limited window to file a personal injury case, so speak to an Attorney today.

Call our personal injury law office directly at (727) 512-9847

Jones Law Group logo, Personal Injury Lawyer in St Petersburg Florida

Jones Law Group is a dedicated personal injury lawyer in St. Petersburg, FL, serving the Tampa Bay area since 2006. Our experienced attorneys specialize in car accidents, slip and fall cases, employment law disputes, construction law issues, and overtime wage claims, fighting for maximum compensation on a contingency fee basis. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your case.

5622 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, FL 33707

Call our personal injury law office at (727) 512-9847

© Copyright 2006–2025 Jones Law Group Attorneys at Law. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Terms of Use 

Website by Hip Bip

Attorney Advertising.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

5 things to do after a florida accident by JLG Law in St Petersburg

Don't miss this checklist of what you need to do after your accident.

See the things you NEED TO DO after your accident. Get the 5 to-do's sent directly to your email.

GET A 100% Free Consultation today
TELL US ABOUT YOUR SITUATION
or Call us directly at (727) 571-1333
1
Step
2
Step
3
Step
4
Step
5
Step
6
Step
Have you suffered from any of the following?*
What type of accident was it?*
How long ago did it happen?
tell us about your personal injury for a
100% Free Consultation today
or Call us directly at (727) 571-1333
1
Step
2
Step
3
Step
4
Step
5
Step
6
Step
Have you suffered from any of the following?*
What type of accident was it?*
How long ago did it happen?