Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

You did everything right. Crossed at the light, watched for turning cars, stayed visible. But some driver checking their phone or rushing to make a yellow changed your life in three seconds flat.

The Bald Injury Lawyers know what you’re facing. Insurance companies treating you like you jumped in front of that car on purpose. Medical bills crushing you while you can’t work. We don’t just handle pedestrian cases – we fight back against the bias that somehow being on foot makes you less important than someone in a car.

This guide breaks down your rights after a Fort Lauderdale pedestrian crash. Because when a 4,000-pound vehicle hits a human body, you need lawyers who won’t back down until you get every dollar you deserve.

Can I Sue if a Driver Hit Me as a Pedestrian in Fort Lauderdale?

Absolutely. Florida law protects pedestrians, so if a driver’s negligence sends you to the emergency room, you have the right to hold them accountable. The key, though, is proving they violated their duty to reasonably protect you as a vulnerable pedestrian.

Every driver in Fort Lauderdale has the legal duty to actively watch out for people on foot – not just in crosswalks, but everywhere. That duty extends to sidewalks, parking lots, and residential streets. The law recognizes that a person is no match for even a smaller vehicle.

Our legal team will thoroughly investigate your case to ensure every liable party is held accountable.

What Makes Drivers Liable for Hitting Pedestrians?

Under the law, four things create liability. Your attorney will need to prove each of these four legal elements for there to be negligence and for you to have a valid case.

Those four elements for pedestrians include the following:

• The driver must have had a legal duty to avoid hitting you.
• They must have breached that duty somehow through careless behavior.
• Even that is not enough though – their carelessness must have directly caused the crash and your injuries.
• Finally – you must have sustained real damage in that crash, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain.

Here’s are some examples of what driver negligence looks like in pedestrian crashes:

• Ignoring Crosswalks: Rolling through a crosswalk without checking for pedestrians.
• Cellphone Distraction: Scrolling Instagram or texting instead of watching the road.
• Right-Turn Blindness: Looking left for traffic while turning right into a pedestrian.
• Parking Lot Speeding: Treating store parking lots like racetracks.
• Sidewalk Crashes: Getting distracted or losing control causing drivers to jump curbs or block walkways with their vehicles.

Who Pays for My Medical Costs and Other Damages After a Pedestrian Crash?

This question keeps many injured pedestrians awake at night. Hospital bills don’t wait while you figure out insurance coverage. Understanding Florida’s payment hierarchy helps you get bills covered faster.

Your PIP Coverage Comes First

Here’s the good news for pedestrians: Florida’s Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers you even when you’re on foot. If you own a car with PIP coverage, that policy pays first. Up to $10,000 in medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault.

Don’t own a car? You might still have PIP access. Resident relatives’ policies often extend coverage. Some pedestrians can even tap into the striking vehicle’s PIP under certain circumstances.

The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance

After any PIP coverage is exhausted, the negligent driver’s bodily injury liability coverage kicks in. This insurance pays for damages that go beyond PIP limits, such as your ongoing medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The catch? Many Florida drivers only carry minimum coverage or worse, none at all.

Policy limits matter here. When purchasing bodily insurance, Florida only requires $10,000 in coverage. Serious pedestrian injuries can blow through that really quickly. Higher limits or umbrella policies are a crucial component to getting fairly compensated.

Additional Potential Sources of Coverage

Smart planning means looking into and understanding potential back-up options you may have, such as:

• Health Insurance: Covers medical bills while your legal case progresses.
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage: If you purchased this coverage, it can be a safety net for hit-and-run or uninsured drivers.
• MedPay: Optional coverage that supplements PIP for medical expenses.
• Disability Insurance: Replaces income during extended recovery.

The Bald Injury Lawyers navigate this insurance maze daily. We identify all potential sources of compensation to maximize your recovery, including which policies to tap into and in what order.

What if the Liable Insurance Company Offers Me a Quick Settlement for My Injuries?

A quick settlement offer is a huge red flag. Insurance adjusters rush low offers and settlement checks to injured pedestrians for a reason. They know once you agree to settle, you can’t come back for more money – even if you later need surgery or additional treatments you did not count on.

That $15,000 offer might sound good for a knee injury from your hospital bed. But what happens if the initial treatment doesn’t work, and you need a knee replacement in six months? Or if you later discover post-concussion symptoms that prevent you returning to work? Unfortunately, if you signed a settlement agreement, you have also signed away your right to any future compensation.

Why Insurance Companies Make Quick Offers

Adjusters often push fast settlements before you have a chance to find out the full extent of your injuries and before you speak with a lawyer. They count on your desperation – medical bills piling up, rent coming due, and no paycheck arriving. Their offer letter may use phrases like “generous settlement” and “putting this behind you” to sway you. Translation: we’re scared of what this case is really worth.

If we can leave you with anything to hold onto here, it is that you should never sign anything without first getting a legal review. Our knowledgeable team at The Bald Injury Lawyers spot lowball tactics immediately. The full value of any claim cannot be determined until all medical treatments have been completed.