Florida is a hotspot for people who love walking and biking due to its great weather, but sadly, accidents involving walkers and bikers are increasing. If you’re hurt in such an accident, don’t just accept any offer from insurance companies, they often offer less money than what you might actually need. So, if you get hurt, immediately call a West Palm Beach pedestrian accident lawyer who can fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.
Why You Need a West Palm Beach Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
The potential for severe, life-threatening, and life-altering injury when feet and pedals meet steel and four wheels. Abrasions and “road rash” are common, but you are also at risk for bone fractures, concussion, head, neck, and spinal injuries, as well as internal damage. CTL’s West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyers will help you build a compelling case and secure the compensation you are owed. Learn more about the complexities of these cases from our blog post on Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accidents.
Drivers are represented by aggressive insurance companies who want to minimize their monetary losses. They offer lowball settlements that may sound attractive (or at least acceptable) at first. But it is difficult to know how long you will be impaired by your injury, how long you will be out of work, and just how high related expenses will go.
Facing the Insurance Companies with a West Palm Beach Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Do not grab at the first offer you receive. Be sure to get expert advice before even speaking with insurance representatives or other parties associated with the “defendant” at this point. Instead, contact our team. Our sole priority is protecting you and ensuring you receive fair and appropriate compensation.
Florida’s Worrying Bicycle and Pedestrian Accident Statistics
The Sunshine State has the unfortunate distinction of having the second-highest number of pedestrian fatalities in the country, with over 700 deaths. It leads the nation when it comes to the number of cyclist crashes and fatalities. While many factors play a role, a major cause of these accidents is distracted drivers, as well as motor vehicle operators who do not “see” those on foot or on bicycles.
Other common causes include:
- Driving under the influence
- Speeding
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Unsafe lane changes
- Speeding
- Failure to obey red light and/or Stop sign
It is certainly dangerous out there for walkers and cyclists. If you have been injured as a result of negligence, carelessness, or recklessness of a vehicle driver, get advice from an experienced bicycle and pedestrian lawyer in West Palm Beach – immediately.
Your rights are on the line, and you may also be struggling with ongoing pain, serious injury, rehabilitation and other therapies, loss of wages, mounting bills, and other burdens. We can help. Understanding these statistics is essential, and you can read more about pedestrian fatalities in the COVID era.
Immediate Steps to Take After a Bicycle or Pedestrian Accident
If you have been involved in a bicycle or pedestrian accident, the first priority is always your safety. You may not feel injured at this point: adrenaline can be masking your symptoms. It is not out of the realm of possibility for someone with a serious neck or spinal injury to be walking around in the immediate aftermath of an accident. However, doing so puts you at risk for severe or even catastrophic injury.
Call the police and emergency responders immediately.
It is best to stay put. Always remain at the scene and try to minimize your movements. If you need to and it is safe, move out of the roadway to a less risky area (e.g. sidewalk, parking lot). If you are able to, take pictures or video of the scene and note if there are any witnesses. If you are with someone, have them do this so you can remain still.
Seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you do not feel you need immediate help (e.g. an ambulance ride to the hospital), then go to the Emergency Room on your own as soon as you are able to. This is an essential step in safeguarding your physical well-being. It is also integral in protecting your rights. To take legal action, you must demonstrate that you were injured by the careless, reckless, or negligent actions of another party or parties. Proper documentation, including a medical exam, is a must.
Go to the Emergency Room even if you feel “ok.” Remember, your symptoms may take some time to appear; some, like internal bleeding, concussion, and head, neck, and spine injuries may not be apparent immediately, but they could put your life at risk.
It is advised that you contact a lawyer – especially before you speak with the other party’s insurance company. They will try to offer you a lowball settlement, and this sum may not (and likely will not) be sufficient to compensate for your injuries.
Choosing the Right West Palm Beach Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
In the aftermath of an accident, your thoughts are racing and you are experiencing a number of difficult emotions. A critical step to take is contacting a bicycle and pedestrian lawyer in West Palm Beach. The Clayton Trial Lawyers team has handled myriad cases like yours; we know all too well how common they are. It is our mission to safeguard your rights and help you maximize your potential settlement value.
Contact CTL for a free case evaluation.