If you are struck by a motor vehicle as a pedestrian, your immediate priority must be your personal safety and medical evaluation. Call 911 immediately to request an ambulance and ensure local law enforcement documents an official police report.
If physically able, collect the driver’s contact and insurance details, take photos of the scene, traffic signs, and crosswalks, and seek medical treatment within 14 days to preserve your rights under Fla. Stat. § 627.736. Before giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters, contact an experienced Coral Springs pedestrian accident attorney to protect your rights and claim for compensation.
The Reality of Pedestrian Accidents in South Florida
Being struck by a car, truck, or SUV is a traumatic event. Because pedestrians lack physical protection, even low-speed impacts often lead to severe, life-altering physical injuries, extensive medical debt, and severe emotional distress.
Whether your accident occurred in a crosswalk, parking lot, or sidewalk due to a distracted, aggressive, speeding, or impaired driver, the legal team at Reinfeld Cabrera Tison (RCT Law) stands ready to hold the negligent driver accountable.
Critical Steps: What to Do If You Are Involved in a Pedestrian Accident
Taking deliberate, strategic steps immediately following a collision helps safeguard both your physical health and your financial recovery.
[Call 911 & Request Police] ──► [Document Scene & Evidence] ──► [Seek Immediate Medical Care] ──► [Consult RCT Law Before Insurers]
1. Call 911 and Request Emergency Assistance
Always notify law enforcement and request an ambulance immediately. The responding officer will generate an official police crash report documenting key details, statements, and initial fault determinations—critical evidence needed for your claim.
2. Gather Evidence at the Scene (If Safely Able)
If you are not incapacitated and do not face immediate danger, collect as much physical proof as possible:
- Driver Information: Record the driver’s full name, phone number, driver’s license number, auto insurance carrier, policy number, and license plate.
- Photographic Proof: Photograph vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, traffic control signals, nearby street signs, and crosswalk markings.
- Witness Information: Obtain names and phone numbers of bystanders who witnessed the impact.
3. Seek Prompt Medical Evaluation
Even if you believe your injuries are minor, adrenaline can mask severe internal trauma or traumatic brain injury symptoms. Furthermore, under Florida’s no-fault law (Fla. Stat. § 627.736), you must undergo initial medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to maintain eligibility for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) medical benefits.
4. Exercise Caution When Reporting to Insurance Companies
When reporting the incident to an insurance carrier, provide only basic facts (date, time, location). Avoid giving recorded statements, speculating on fault, or discussing the full extent of your injuries before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters frequently attempt to use early statements to minimize or deny claims.
Understanding Compensation in Florida Pedestrian Injury Claims
Under Fla. Stat. § 768.81, Florida operates under a modified comparative fault rule. As long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the incident, you are entitled to pursue financial compensation proportional to the driver’s degree of fault.
Through a third-party personal injury lawsuit, an experienced attorney can help you recover damages beyond basic PIP coverage, including:
- Past, present, and future medical costs (surgeries, hospitalization, therapy)
- Full reimbursement for lost wages and lost future earning capacity
- Physical pain, suffering, and permanent disfigurement
- Mental anguish and psychological distress
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if the driver who hit me fled the scene (Hit-and-Run)?
If a driver flees, you can still seek coverage through your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Uninsured Motorist (UM) insurance coverage. An attorney can analyze your available policies to identify all viable avenues of recovery.
Can I recover compensation if I was hit outside of a marked crosswalk?
Yes. Drivers in Florida maintain a statutory duty of care to exercise due caution to avoid striking pedestrians (Fla. Stat. § 316.130). Even if you crossed outside a crosswalk, comparative fault rules allow you to seek partial or full compensation depending on driver negligence.
Contact Our Coral Springs Personal Injury Attorneys Today
Navigating complex medical bills and aggressive insurance carriers while recovering from severe trauma requires dedicated advocacy. At Reinfeld Cabrera Tison, our skilled Coral Springs personal injury lawyers prioritize your rights and work tirelessly to secure the justice and financial recovery you deserve.
Call Reinfeld Cabrera Tison today at (954) 371-0499 for a free, zero-obligation legal consultation.
