Tampa Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you were hit by a car as a pedestrian in Tampa, you may be able to recover substantial damages for your pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages. The insurance company may claim the accident was your fault to avoid paying your claim. Our Tampa pedestrian accident lawyers can see beyond the insurance company’s smokescreens and place the blame where it belongs. Call us today at (813) 358-0490 for a free case review.
The wide, straight roads on Tampa’s busy streets are like a haven for distracted, impaired, and speeding drivers, but pedestrians pay the largest price. Our Tampa pedestrian accident attorneys at Farah & Farah have helped hundreds of pedestrians stand up to large insurance companies and recover the damages they deserved.
If you or your loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact us online today or call our Tampa law office at (813) 358-0490 to schedule a free case evaluation.
Our Experience Makes All the Difference in Tampa Pedestrian Accident Claims
We have been helping injured pedestrians and grieving families recover significant financial compensation since 1979. Our financial resources and experience allow us to go against large insurance companies and win. Winning is a regular part of our vocabulary because we have recovered over $2 billion for injured accident victims.
Whether you were injured while walking on a public roadway, in a parking lot, or at a place of business, you can count on our compassionate and talented pedestrian accident lawyers in Tampa to fight for as long as it takes to get you the results you deserve. Below are a few examples of recent case results for vulnerable roadway users:
- $1.3 million for the family of a truck driver struck by a semi while working on a loading dock
- $250,000 for the family of an elderly client with dementia who was hit and killed by an uninsured driver after wandering onto the road
- $250,000 for the family of a bicyclist who died from a head injury in the hospital ICU after being hit by a car
Our results are no accident. Caring, understanding, and hard work are how we win.
We Will Take Care of the Legal Work so You Can Focus on Recovery
When you choose our Tampa personal injury law firm, you will receive caring support from our passionate team of attorneys who won’t back down when pursuing the maximum award available. You can count on us to answer your calls, keep you informed, and help you get through this.
We are committed to making the legal process as easy for you as possible. We will handle all communications with the insurance company, file your claim, and even cover the filing fees, expert witnesses, and any other case costs until your case is resolved. We charge no upfront fees. You only pay us if we win.
Our Client Testimonials Show How Much We Care
We have received hundreds of unsolicited client testimonials from our satisfied clients in the Tampa Bay area, such as the following:
“I would like to thank Kaley Dreyer so much for her attention to my case. She walked with me intently on securing a satisfactory settlement regarding my trip and fall. No question, I would recommend her for any liability legal matters. She is a professional Attorney.”
“I cannot recommend Farah and Farah highly enough. If you find yourself in need of legal representation for a car accident case or any other personal injury matter, I urge you to reach out to them. Their expertise, professionalism, and unwavering dedication will undoubtedly work in your favor. I am forever grateful to Katie and the entire team at Farah and Farah for their exceptional service and for securing a $50,000 settlement that has helped me move forward with my life.”
If you or your loved one was hit by a car, our award-winning pedestrian accident attorneys in Tampa are ready to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (813) 358-0490 for a free consultation.
You May Be Able To Win Significant Damages After Being Hit by a Car in Tampa Bay
If you’ve been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident in Tampa or the surrounding areas, our attorneys can help you pursue the following economic and non-economic damages:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Attendant care costs
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of society
- Loss of bodily functions
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- And more
You may also be able to pursue punitive damages if you have clear and convincing evidence of intentional misconduct or gross negligence by the defendant. For example, we can help you pursue punitive damages if a drunk driver hits you.
Damages for the Death of a Family Member in a Pedestrian Accident in Tampa Bay
If your loved one has died from a Tampa area pedestrian accident, we are committed to helping you through this tragic circumstance. We are a family-centered law firm founded by two brothers and we understand how much a family member means. Compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit in Florida may include economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic damages in wrongful death cases include the probable lifetime income of the deceased had they survived, funeral expenses, lost inheritance, and the value of domestic services your family member provided. Non-economic damages include compensation for loss of companionship, loss of love and affection, pain and suffering of the deceased, and similar losses.
Who Is Liable for a Pedestrian Accident?
The driver of the vehicle that hit you is most commonly liable for a pedestrian accident, but in many cases, our hard-working pedestrian accident injury lawyers in Tampa have uncovered additional contributing factors besides the driver’s carelessness. Other liable parties may include the following:
- Other drivers
- Government agencies responsible for maintaining safe roads
- Manufacturers of defective vehicles or auto parts
- Construction companies that create unsafe road conditions
- Business owners responsible for maintaining parking areas
How Does Insurance Work for Pedestrians in Florida?
Florida is a no-fault car insurance state, which means car accident victims must file their claim against their own personal injury protection coverage, or PIP, regardless of fault. PIP is also known as no-fault insurance. If you own a vehicle and a PIP policy or someone else’s PIP covers you, you must file your pedestrian accident claim through the PIP policy.
If your injuries are severe, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance for damages not covered by PIP. PIP covers 80 percent of your medical bills up to $10,000 and 60 percent of your lost wages up to $10,000. It doesn’t cover non-economic damages like pain and suffering. However, you can pursue these damages from the other driver’s liability insurance policy.
Our experienced Tampa car accident lawyers can navigate the insurance claims process for you. Contact us today for a free case review.
Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Statistics
A 2022 study by Smart Growth America found that the Tampa-Clearwater-St. Petersburg metro area is the fourth most dangerous metro area in the United States for pedestrians, beating out big cities like New York and Los Angeles. Florida is the second most dangerous state for pedestrians.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that 661 pedestrian accidents occurred in Hillsborough County in 2023, injuring 550 and killing 65. According to a study by MoneyGeek, five of every 100,000 people die in pedestrian accidents in Tampa.
There are no signs of improvement. In fact, the problem seems to be getting worse. A recent study released by the Governors Highway Safety Association found that pedestrian deaths increased by 77 percent from 2010 to 2021, with a total of 7,500 deaths during this period. This increase is higher than all other types of traffic fatalities combined.
Why Are There So Many Pedestrian Accidents in Tampa?
Traffic congestion is a growing problem in Tampa as the population increases. From 2019 to 2021 alone, the streets of Tampa became 21 percent more congested. While congestion alone doesn’t cause accidents, it increases the risk of accidents when careless drivers and dangerous road conditions are thrown into the mix.
Driving Mistakes and Pedestrian Accidents in Tampa
Tampa’s roads are generally flat and straight, which creates a perfect recipe for speeding. These conditions may also create the illusion for some drivers that it’s okay to engage in careless, risky behaviors such as street racing, talking on a cell phone, or not paying attention. The most common driving errors resulting in pedestrian accidents in Tampa include the following:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Inattentive driving
- Drunk driving
- Drowsy driving
Drivers who fail to pay attention while driving may not see pedestrians legally crossing the road. They may leave their lane and veer into a pedestrian area, turn right without looking for pedestrians, or disobey traffic signals.
Poor Walking Infrastructure
In a government survey of residents in the University area of Hillsborough County, 11 percent said it was rarely easy to cross the street. Only 57 percent said crossing the street was “mostly” easy, while 34 percent reported that a lack of crosswalks made crossing difficult.
Participants also reported that wide roads, obstructed views, and a lack of crossing signals made crossing the street difficult. These conditions aren’t limited to the university area. They are a problem throughout Tampa.
According to the Florida Department of Health, low-income communities are less likely to have sidewalks, marked crosswalks, and streets designed to protect the safety of pedestrians. It is likely no coincidence that low-income residents, people of color, and older adults have higher rates of pedestrian accident fatalities than other populations.
Unsafe Roads and Intersections in Tampa
Pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere in Tampa, but they are most common on the following roads, according to the latest government data:
- Hillsborough Ave. from North Hoover Blvd. to North 50th St.
- North Nebraska Ave. from E. Bougainvillea Ave. to East Floribraska Ave.
- East Fowler Ave. from North Negraska Ave. to North 52nd St.
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. from North Armenia Ave. to North 15th St.
- West Kennedy Blvd. from North Howard Ave. to North Ashley Dr.
- Columbus Dr. from North Dale Mabry Highway to North 50th St.
Types of Injuries Caused by Pedestrian Accidents
When you’re walking, you don’t have the protection of a vehicle with seat belts and other safety features. Instead, when a car strikes you, your body absorbs the full impact, creating a high risk of catastrophic injury or death. You may experience multiple injuries, such as the following:
- Fractured skull
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Upper extremity injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Strains, sprains, and dislocations
- Brain bleeds
- Amputations
- Lacerations, scrapes, and bruises
- Death
In a study in Scientific Reports, children under 15 most commonly experienced head injuries and TBI, while adults over 65 had the highest incidence of spine and vertebrae injuries, upper extremity injuries, and amputations.
The leading cause of death in a pedestrian crash was concussion. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. People who survive traumatic brain injury may face long-term neurological and psychological disorders.
Pedestrian Laws in Florida
Florida drivers and pedestrians have rights and responsibilities that, if followed, would protect pedestrians from collisions with cars. However, these laws are only effective if all parties follow them. A careless driver may still hit you even if you do everything right.
Under Florida pedestrian laws, pedestrians must use sidewalks and crosswalks when available. If a sidewalk is unavailable, you can use the shoulder of the road, but you should walk facing oncoming traffic. If no crosswalk is available, you should yield to traffic before crossing.
Drivers have more responsibilities than pedestrians. Their responsibilities include the following:
- Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks that have traffic signals or pedestrian signage in place
- Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks that lack signals and signage
- Do not pass vehicles that are stopped at crosswalks
Florida law also requires drivers to exercise reasonable care to avoid hitting pedestrians. Thus, even if you were crossing the street at the wrong place when you were hit, we may still be able to help you recover compensation if your injuries were catastrophic. Call us today at (813) 358-0490 for a free consultation.
Don’t Let Time Run out Before You File Your Claim
If you or your loved one has been hit by a car, you should contact our Tampa pedestrian accident attorneys as soon as possible. This will ensure we can preserve important evidence before it disappears.
If you wait too long, you could run out of time. The Florida statute of limitations for personal injury is two years. If you file your case after this deadline, you will lose your right to pursue compensation.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident in Tampa, you shouldn’t have to bear the burden alone. Our compassionate Tampa car accident lawyers are here to help you in your time of need. Call Farah & Farah today at (813) 358-0490 for a free, no-obligation case review.
We help pedestrian accident victims throughout the Tampa Bay area, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Winter Haven, and the surrounding areas.
Our Experience Makes All the Difference in Tampa Pedestrian Accident Claims
You May Be Able To Win Significant Damages After Being Hit by a Car in Tampa Bay
Who Is Liable for a Pedestrian Accident?
Tampa Bay Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Why Are There So Many Pedestrian Accidents in Tampa?
Types of Injuries Caused by Pedestrian Accidents
Don’t Let Time Run out Before You File Your Claim
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
