Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me: Secure Justice 2026
Why Immediate Legal Help Matters After a Pedestrian Accident
If you’ve been injured while walking, a pedestrian accident lawyer near me is critical. An attorney helps you steer insurance claims, prove driver negligence, secure compensation for medical bills and lost wages, and meet strict legal deadlines. Acting quickly is essential for several reasons:
- Mounting Medical Bills: Pedestrian injuries often require extensive and costly medical care.
- Insurance Company Tactics: Adjusters aim to protect their profits by offering low settlements or denying valid claims.
- Disappearing Evidence: Key evidence like surveillance footage and witness memories fades over time.
- Strict Legal Deadlines: States have statutes of limitations (often 2–3 years) to file a claim. Missing the deadline means losing your right to compensation.
- Complex Fault: Proving a driver was negligent requires a strong legal strategy.
According to the CDC, pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to die in a car crash than vehicle occupants. When a driver’s negligence causes your injuries, you face overwhelming medical costs, lost income, and emotional trauma. The legal system can feel like another obstacle when you’re just trying to recover.
Thousands of pedestrians are injured or killed each year in traffic accidents. In Florida alone, pedestrian crashes are a serious concern. You need experienced legal representation to stand up to insurance companies and fight for full compensation. Without a skilled attorney, you risk accepting a settlement that fails to cover your future medical needs or lost earning capacity.
I’m Thomas W. Carey, founding partner of Carey Leisure Carney. As a board-certified civil trial lawyer with over 35 years of experience, I’ve secured multi-million-dollar verdicts for clients harmed by negligent drivers across Florida. My team and I understand the devastating impact these crashes have on families and are here to help.
First Steps: What to Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident
The moments after a pedestrian accident are chaotic, but the steps you take can significantly impact your health and legal claim. If you are able, here is what we recommend.
Seek Medical Attention
Your health is the priority. Adrenaline can mask serious conditions like concussions or internal bleeding, so see a doctor immediately, even if you feel fine. This creates a medical record linking your injuries to the accident, which is vital for your claim.
Call 911
Contacting emergency services dispatches police and paramedics. The police will create an official accident report—an invaluable piece of evidence—while paramedics provide immediate medical care.
Report the Accident
Give law enforcement a factual account of what happened. Avoid speculating or admitting fault. The police report will document key details like the date, time, location, and parties involved.
Document the Scene
If it’s safe, use your phone to take photos and videos of:
- The accident location and your injuries.
- Damage to the vehicle involved.
- Road conditions, traffic signals, and crosswalks.
- Skid marks or debris.
- The driver’s license plate.
Gather Witness Information
If anyone saw the accident, ask for their name and contact information. Eyewitness testimony is crucial for proving negligence.
Avoid Admitting Fault
Never apologize or admit fault. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters without consulting a pedestrian accident lawyer near me first. An insurer’s goal is to minimize payouts, not to help you.
Preserve Evidence
Keep all documents related to the accident, including medical records, bills, receipts for expenses, pay stubs showing lost wages, and any correspondence with insurance companies.
Contact an Attorney
After addressing your immediate medical needs, contact an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer near me. The sooner you call, the better we can protect your rights and preserve valuable evidence.
Building Your Case: Common Causes and How to Prove Negligence
Most pedestrian accidents are caused by negligence. Understanding the common causes is the first step in proving liability and securing the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
- Distracted Driving: Drivers using phones, texting, or adjusting navigation systems often fail to see pedestrians.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s reaction time and dramatically increases the severity of impact and injury.
- Failure to Yield: Many accidents occur when drivers fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections.
- Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs severely impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction time.
- Drowsy Driving: Fatigue can be as dangerous as drunk driving. Being awake for 18 hours can impair a driver as much as a 0.08 BAC.
Proving Fault
To win your case, we must prove the driver was negligent by establishing four elements:
- Duty of Care: The driver had a legal duty to operate their vehicle safely.
- Breach of Duty: The driver violated that duty (e.g., by speeding or texting).
- Causation: The driver’s breach directly caused your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered actual harm (injuries, financial loss) as a result.
Our attorneys use evidence like police reports, eyewitness testimony, traffic camera footage, and accident reconstruction experts to build a compelling case.
Understanding Pedestrian Laws and Shared Fault
Florida law requires a deep understanding of traffic rules and how shared fault applies.
- Crosswalks and Right-of-Way: In Florida, drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks. However, this right-of-way is not absolute; pedestrians cannot suddenly step into the path of a vehicle that has no time to stop.
- Jaywalking: Crossing outside a marked crosswalk (“jaywalking”) does not automatically prevent you from recovering compensation if the driver was also negligent.
- Comparative Negligence: Florida follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can recover damages even if you are partially at fault, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault, your award is reduced by 20%. This is different from states like Georgia with a “modified comparative negligence” law that can bar recovery entirely.
Maximizing Your Recovery: Compensation and Damages in a Pedestrian Accident Claim
If you’ve been injured, you can seek compensation for a wide range of damages. Our goal is to secure a full and fair recovery for all your losses.
Types of Damages
- Economic Damages: These are tangible financial losses, including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and diminished future earning capacity.
- Non-Economic Damages: These are intangible losses affecting your quality of life, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium (impact on a spousal relationship).
- Punitive Damages: In rare cases of extreme negligence (like drunk driving), courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer.
- Wrongful Death: If a loved one was killed, eligible family members can file a wrongful death claim to recover funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.
How much is a pedestrian accident claim typically worth?
There is no “average” settlement amount, as each case is unique. The value of your claim depends on several factors:
- Severity of Injuries: More severe and long-lasting injuries lead to higher compensation due to extensive medical costs and life impact.
- Quality of Evidence: Strong proof of the other party’s negligence—like police reports, medical records, and witness testimony—strengthens your claim.
- Insurance Policy Limits: The at-fault driver’s insurance coverage can limit recovery, though we also explore other sources like your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy.
- Long-Term Costs: We work with experts to calculate future medical needs and lost earning capacity to ensure your settlement covers all future expenses.
Online “average settlement” calculators are misleading. The only way to understand your claim’s potential worth is to consult an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer near me for a personalized evaluation.
Why You Need an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me
Navigating the legal system after a pedestrian accident is overwhelming. An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer near me is your indispensable ally against insurance companies and legal complexities.
Why You Need a Lawyer
- Counter Insurance Tactics: Insurers aim to pay as little as possible. They may offer quick, lowball settlements, try to get you to admit fault, or deny valid claims. A lawyer protects you from these tactics.
- Manage Paperwork and Deadlines: Personal injury claims involve mountains of paperwork and strict deadlines, like Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits (typically four years for injury, two for wrongful death). An attorney manages this for you so you can focus on healing.
- Maximize Compensation: We understand the true value of your claim, including future costs and non-economic damages, ensuring you aren’t shortchanged.
- Provide Court Representation: While most cases settle, we are Board-Certified trial attorneys prepared to fight for you in court if a fair settlement isn’t reached.
Comparison: Handling a Claim Alone vs. With a Lawyer
| Feature | Handling Claim Alone | With an Experienced Pedestrian Accident Lawyer |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge of Law | Limited, reliant on online research | Expert legal understanding, current case precedents |
| Evidence Gathering | Challenging, may miss crucial details | Thorough investigation, expert resources |
| Insurance Negotiation | Vulnerable to lowball offers, may admit fault | Aggressive negotiation, protects your interests |
| Paperwork & Deadlines | High risk of errors or missed deadlines | Meticulous handling, ensures compliance |
| Case Valuation | May underestimate full damages | Comprehensive assessment of all losses |
| Court Representation | Non-existent or self-representation (risky) | Skilled advocacy, trial-ready |
| Focus | Divided between recovery and legal tasks | Focus solely on recovery, lawyer handles legal |
| Outcome Potential | Often lower settlements or denied claims | Maximized compensation, stronger legal position |
How a Lawyer Helps with Insurance Negotiations
Our attorneys level the playing field against professional insurance adjusters. We conduct a thorough investigation, calculate the full value of your damages, and handle all communication. We reject unfair offers and are always prepared to file a lawsuit, which often motivates insurers to offer a fair settlement.
How to Find the Right Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me
Choosing the right lawyer is critical. Look for:
- Board Certification: This rare credential (held by <2% of Florida lawyers) signifies the highest level of expertise in civil trial law. Our firm has Board-Certified attorneys.
- Trial Experience: You need a lawyer who isn’t afraid to go to court. Our attorneys have over a century of combined trial experience.
- Client Testimonials: See what past clients say about a firm’s service and success.
- Contingency Fee: We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no fees unless we win your case.
- Free Consultation: A reputable lawyer will offer a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and legal options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accident Claims
Here are answers to some of the most common questions we receive after a pedestrian accident.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident lawsuit?
In Florida, the statute of limitations is generally four years for personal injury claims and two years for wrongful death claims. However, claims against government entities have much shorter deadlines. Missing these deadlines will bar you from recovering compensation, so it is critical to contact a pedestrian accident lawyer near me immediately. Other states, like Georgia, have a two-year deadline for personal injury.
What if the driver who hit me was uninsured or fled the scene?
This is a complex situation, but you still have options. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or fled the scene (a hit-and-run), you may be able to recover compensation through your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) insurance coverage. Our legal team can also assist law enforcement in investigating to identify the driver.
What are the most common injuries in a pedestrian accident?
With no protection from a vehicle’s impact, pedestrians often suffer severe, life-altering injuries, including:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Ranging from concussions to severe brain damage.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage that can result in partial or complete paralysis.
- Broken Bones: Fractures in the legs, pelvis, and arms are common and may require surgery.
- Internal Injuries: Damage to organs can cause life-threatening internal bleeding.
- Road Rash: Severe skin abrasions that can lead to infection and permanent scarring.
- Soft Tissue Damage: Injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons that cause chronic pain.
Take the Next Step: Secure Your Rights Today
Being involved in a pedestrian accident is a traumatic experience, but you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Carey Leisure Carney, we are deeply committed to helping injured pedestrians in Clearwater, Largo, New Port Richey, Spring Hill, St. Petersburg, Trinity, and Wesley Chapel, Florida.
Our firm stands out with Board-Certified Attorneys—a distinction held by a select few, signifying exceptional expertise in civil trial law. With over 100 years of combined experience, we bring unparalleled knowledge and a proven track record to every case. We pride ourselves on direct attorney access and personalized service, ensuring you always have a dedicated advocate by your side who understands your unique situation.
Don’t let the insurance companies dictate your future. Let us fight to secure the compensation you deserve so you can focus on your recovery.
Secure your free pedestrian accident case evaluation today to discuss your options with a compassionate and experienced pedestrian accident lawyer near me.