It was estimated that 76,000 pedestrians were injured during 2012 in traffic accidents. The number of pedestrians that lost their lives in auto-pedestrian accidents increased from 2011 to 2012. During 2012, Florida was in the top 3 among states with the highest number of auto-pedestrian accident fatalities. Pedestrian accidents can also cause victims to suffer with catastrophic injuries that may be lifelong.
Victims and family members of victims of pedestrian accidents may be left facing an uncertain future as the recovery process from an auto-pedestrian accident can be grueling, time-consuming and costly. Victims of pedestrian accidents may suffer head injuries or other types of injuries that can result in cognitive impairments and mental and physical disabilities. They may find themselves unexpectedly adjusting to daily life following a pedestrian accident.
As a result, victims may be able to recover compensation for the costs associated with their suffering, including physical, financial and emotional damages. Victims may be able to recover damages for medical expenses and ongoing medical treatment and care necessary to help them recover from the injuries they suffered. They may also be able to recover compensation for lost wages and lost earning capacity while they are unable to work, or if they are unable to return to similar work, following the pedestrian accident. Pain and suffering damages and other types of damages, depending on the circumstances, may also be available.
It is important for victims of pedestrian accidents to be familiar with the options available to them when they have been harmed. Pedestrians commonly find themselves in vulnerable positions on the roadways, and the legal process seeks to protect them when they have been carelessly injured by a negligent party.
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Pedestrians,” Accessed Oct. 31, 2016
