An 8-year old girl was recently struck in Tampa while walking to school. According to police, the little girl was struck in the face by a side-view mirror as she stepped of the curb while walking to school. The victim was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Following the accident, police noted that it did not seem they would cite the driver and traffic was stopped in both directions while authorities investigated the pedestrian accident.
Pedestrian accidents can be caused by careless drivers and can result in serious and life-altering injuries for victims. Drivers have a duty to drive safely and obey the rules of the road for the protection of pedestrians and others they share the roadway with. In addition, drivers may be held to a higher duty of care when children are involved, especially where children are known to play or congregate. When a driver has negligently harmed a victim in a pedestrian accident, they may be held accountable to victims.
Victims may be able to recover compensation for damages including the physical, financial and emotional costs and stresses associated with an auto-pedestrian accident. Victims can bring a personal injury claim for damages against the driver responsible for the harm they have suffered. Victims and their families may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damages depending on the unique circumstances of the situation.
It is important to keep in mind that pedestrians have the right to be protected on the roadways. When they have been injured or harmed in an auto-pedestrian accident, it is important for victims and families to know how to respond.
Source: Fox 13 News, “8-year-old hit by car on N. Florida Ave.,” Nov. 15, 2016
