Automobile v. Pedestrian Accidents

In The Villages and other communities throughout Central Florida, walking is a primary mode of transportation for senior residents. Walking and jogging are also popular forms of exercise year-round under the Florida sun. Unfortunately, while crosswalk laws and other laws are designed to protect pedestrians from oncoming traffic, automobile crashes involving pedestrians remain common, injuring hundreds of Central Florida residents every year and resulting in numerous deaths.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident involving an automobile, it is important that you speak with an attorney. The impact from a moving vehicle can easily cause lasting damage, with seniors being particularly susceptible to fractures, concussions and other injuries that can lead to potentially debilitating complications. On top of the emotional trauma and physical pain and suffering, these injuries can also mean substantial medical expenses -- often far more than families can hope to pay on their own.

Automobile v. Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Just how common are vehicle collisions involving pedestrians? According to Florida’s Integrated Report Exchange System (FIRES):

Lake County Pedestrian Accidents

• 2016: 97 pedestrian crashes and 9 pedestrian fatalities
• 2015: 104 pedestrian crashes and 14 pedestrian fatalities
• 2014: 91 pedestrian crashes and 8 pedestrian fatalities

Marion County Pedestrian Accident Statistics

• 2016: 124 pedestrian crashes and 13 pedestrian fatalities
• 2015: 128 pedestrian crashes and 11 pedestrian fatalities
• 2014: 94 pedestrian crashes and 11 pedestrian fatalities

Sumter County Pedestrian Accident Statistics

• 2016: 28 pedestrian crashes and zero pedestrian fatalities
• 2015: 20 pedestrian crashes and 2 pedestrian fatalities
• 2014: 22 pedestrian crashes and zero pedestrian fatalities

The message from these statistics is clear: If you or a senior loved one has been hit by a car, truck or SUV in Central Florida, you are not alone. At the Babiarz Law Firm, PA, we can use the law to help protect your family -- relying on our experience in previous cases to seek full and fair compensation for your physical, financial and emotional losses.

What to Do After a Motor Vehicle Wreck Involving a Pedestrian

1. Seek Medical Attention – Due to the potential for internal injuries (including a traumatic brain injury), it is important to seek medical attention after any pedestrian accident.
2. Collect Vehicle and Insurance Information – If the driver stopped, try to collect his or her vehicle and insurance information just as you would after a vehicle-to-vehicle collision.
3. Take Photographs – Take photographs of the crash scene and vehicle(s) involved.
4. Identify Potential Witnesses – If the accident occurred in a residential neighborhood, near a golf course or in any other high-traffic area, try to identify any witnesses who may have seen what happened. Write down full names, addresses and telephone numbers.
5. Follow Your Treatment Plan – Now is not a time to second-guess your doctor. Rest if you are supposed to rest; go to therapy if you are supposed to go to therapy; and, if it was a family member who was injured, try to help your loved one stick to his or her doctor’s advice.
6. Talk to an Accident Attorney in The Villages® – Once again, the financial costs of a pedestrian accident can be substantial -- especially long-term -- and it is important to make sure your family is made whole. At the Babiarz Law Firm, PA, we offer complimentary initial consultations, and attorney Tim Babiarz will provide you with a free assessment of your legal rights.

Contact the Babiarz Law Firm, PA in The Villages

With offices in The Villages, we represent clients suffering as a result of pedestrian accidents in Lady Lake, Ocala or anywhere in Central Florida. To schedule your complimentary initial consultation, call us at (352) 205-7599 or inquire online today.