Crossing the street at a marked crosswalk and walking on the sidewalk should be risk-free endeavors, but careless drivers may cause severe harm to innocent bystanders. A speeding or distracted motorist striking a pedestrian could result in catastrophic injuries, many of which have consequences that last a lifetime.
After a pedestrian accident, seeking competent advice from a knowledgeable personal injury attorney may be critical to your future wellbeing and your financial situation. A skilled Kenneth City pedestrian accident lawyer could help you prove negligence on a reckless driver’s part and translate that liability into financial compensation either in or out of court.
What to Know About Filing Suit in Kenneth City
If someone is hurt by a negligent driver while walking, their ability to take civil action against that person is limited in a few key ways by state law. Florida Statutes sets a deadline of four years following an accident for a civil suit to be filed. Failure to comply with this statutory deadline may leave an accident victim ineligible to recover any compensation, even with an experienced pedestrian accident attorney’s help.
Beyond that, Florida’s no-fault insurance system restricts people involved in traffic accidents from filing a civil lawsuit for non-economic damages outside of very specific circumstances. Unless the prospective plaintiff experienced severe disfigurement or disability due to a pedestrian accident, they must pursue compensation through any available auto insurance policies.
Potential Recoverable Damages in a Pedestrian Crash
If a victim of a pedestrian accident is able to file a civil suit against someone else in Kenneth City, there are various damages that they could seek recovery for. Chief among these would be any medical bills directly stemming from their injuries.
Besides the short-term costs associated with emergency care and recovery, a comprehensive damage settlement should also include compensation for future medical costs that a long-term or permanent disability may require. Other economic damages that could be part of a lawsuit or insurance claim include lost work wages, lost ability to earn income in the future due to disability, and the costs associated with repairing or replacing personal property damaged in the incident.
Finally, non-economic damages are the last portion of compensation that a lawyer could help victims following a severe pedestrian accident in Kenneth City. While these damages are generally be grouped within the term “pain and suffering,” more specific losses that a plaintiff may seek recovery for include loss of enjoyment of life, emotional anguish, psychological trauma from PTSD or other such conditions, and loss of consortium with family.
Discuss Legal Options with a Kenneth City Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Filing civil suit under any circumstances can be a complex and confusing ordeal and the Florida state restrictions on filing only make the process trickier to manage without professional help. However, a Kenneth City pedestrian accident lawyer may be able to help plaintiffs navigate this process.
If you have any questions or concerns about your legal rights and what may be possible in your case, a seasoned attorney could answer them for you and help you determine what course of action is best for you and your family. Call today to arrange a consultation.
