Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa represent pedestrians and families after serious crashes in West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, Palm Beach County, St. Lucie County, and surrounding communities throughout South Florida and the Treasure Coast.
Intersections, crosswalks, parking lots, and neighborhood streets in Florida are supposed to be safe places for people on foot. When a driver looks down at a phone, rushes through a light, or rolls a turn without checking for pedestrians, the person who pays the price is usually the one who had no protection.
If you were hit while walking and want a clear explanation of your legal rights and options, call (561) 478‑2500 or contact our Florida personal injury law firm online for a free consultation.
Table of contents
- Why Choose Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Florida?
- How We Build A Florida Pedestrian Accident Case
- Florida Intersection, Crosswalk, And Hit‑And‑Run Scenarios We Handle At Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa
- Do You Have A Pedestrian Accident Claim in South Florida?
- Compensation Available in a Florida Pedestrian Accident Injury Claim
- Ask Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa
- Florida Pedestrian Accident Lawyer FAQ
- Talk With A Florida Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
Why Choose Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Florida?
Since 1985, Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa has focused on representing injured people across South Florida with:
- Decades of injury‑only experience. For more than 40 years, Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa has represented people hurt in serious accidents, including many who were hit on foot at intersections, in crosswalks, and in parking areas across South Florida and the Treasure Coast.
- Deep familiarity with local roads. We regularly handle cases from West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie, and surrounding areas, so we know the busy corridors, school zones, and neighborhood cut‑throughs where pedestrian crashes tend to occur.
- Proven handling of high‑impact injuries. Broken bones, head injuries, and damage to the spine and soft tissues are common in pedestrian cases. We know how to present those injuries in a way that goes beyond a handful of medical codes.
- Clear communication with Florida families. Our attorneys and staff work with English‑speaking and Spanish‑speaking clients and make sure legal decisions are explained in plain language.
If you were hit while walking and want a law firm that treats your case as a priority and is ready to take on the work it requires, call (561) 478‑2500 or contact us online to set up a free consultation with our pedestrian accident injury legal team.
How We Build A Florida Pedestrian Accident Case
When a car, truck, or SUV hits a person on foot, questions come fast: Did the pedestrian have the right of way? Did the driver look? Was the crossing location legal? It can feel like the focus is on what you did rather than on the negligent driver behind the wheel.
Our approach is to step in and work through the case in a structured way so these questions are answered with evidence, not assumptions.
Understanding the crash: signals, sight lines, and driver behavior
We start by reconstructing the collision as clearly as possible. That may involve:
- Studying the police report and any later corrections
- Reviewing photographs of the scene, vehicles, and your injuries
- Speaking with witnesses to confirm what they saw and heard
- Looking for video footage from nearby cameras, homes, or businesses
- Paying attention to signal timing, crosswalk placement, signs, lanes, and visibility
At intersections and crosswalks, we are especially focused on whether you had the right of way, what signals were showing at the time, and whether the driver could and should have seen you in time to avoid a collision.
Showing what the injuries have done to your life
Being struck as a pedestrian can lead to injuries that change your routine in ways that insurance claims adjusters may overlook or undervalue. We work to make sure the full extent of your damages and losses are accounted for by:
- Collecting records from the emergency room, hospital, and follow‑up providers
- Tracking recommendations for rehabilitation, surgery, and long‑term care when needed
- Documenting time away from work and how your ability to earn a living has been affected
- Explaining how pain, limitations, and fatigue affect your daily activities, independence, and family responsibilities
This gives a more complete picture than a simple list of diagnoses and bills.
Sorting out fault and insurance coverage
Pedestrian crashes often involve careful analysis of both fault and coverage. We help by:
- Evaluating how Florida’s right‑of‑way and pedestrian laws apply to your situation
- Identifying the at‑fault driver’s liability insurance
- We look for any potential uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, especially in cases involving a pedestrian in a motor vehicle accident.
- Coordinating with your health insurer regarding crash‑related medical bills
Our goal is to identify all realistic sources of recovery and protect you from having to handle complex conversations with insurers on your own.
Moving the case toward resolution
Once the facts and injuries are documented, we:
- Prepare a demand that explains liability and damages in clear terms
- Communicate with the insurer about offers and responses
- Talk with you about options in plain language, including settlement ranges and litigation considerations
- File suit and litigate when necessary
Throughout, we keep you informed so you are not left wondering whether anything is happening in your case.
Florida Intersection, Crosswalk, And Hit‑And‑Run Scenarios We Handle At Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa
No two pedestrian crashes are exactly alike, but certain patterns show up again and again in South Florida and the Treasure Coast. Many of the claims we handle involve:
- Left‑turn and right‑turn impacts at intersections. Drivers turning through intersections while watching oncoming traffic instead of checking the crosswalk or stop line for people crossing.
- Crosswalk collisions at walk signals. Vehicles failing to yield to pedestrians who are crossing with the signal or at marked crosswalks when the driver is trying to “beat the light.”
- Cars cutting corners through driveways and parking lots. Drivers rolling through parking aisles, cutting across rows, or exiting driveways without stopping fully to look for people in their path.
- Hit‑and‑run crashes. Drivers who hit someone on foot and leave the scene, requiring a careful look at all possible coverage sources and any evidence that might help identify the vehicle.
- Neighborhood and school‑area incidents. Vehicles speeding through residential streets or near schools, where children and adults are often walking, running, or waiting at bus stops.
We also handle cases that do not neatly fit into one category, such as roadside incidents where a vehicle drifts toward the shoulder or collisions in commercial areas with complex traffic patterns.
Do You Have A Pedestrian Accident Claim in South Florida?
Many people assume they do not have a case solely on the basis of what they were told at the scene, even when the law and the evidence may support their personal injury claim. You may have a pedestrian accident claim in Florida if one or more of the following apply:
- You were hit while using a crosswalk or crossing at an intersection
- A driver struck you while turning, backing up, or pulling out of a driveway or parking area
- You were walking along the roadway edge or shoulder when a vehicle veered toward you
- You needed medical care for injuries that started or worsened after the collision
- Your injuries have interfered with your work, driving, or ability to carry out normal daily tasks
- There is a report, witness information, or video connected to the crash
- An insurer has contacted you to discuss fault or requested a recorded statement
During a free case review, we can discuss what happened, how Florida law may apply, and whether pursuing a claim is in your best interest.
Compensation Available in a Florida Pedestrian Accident Injury Claim
When a vehicle hits a person on foot, the harm is often more than immediate medical bills. It is important to see a doctor after a minor pedestrian accident, as a well-built pedestrian injury case looks at what this incident means for your health, your work, and your life over time.
Our pedestrian accident injury lawyers fight for the full and fair compensation you may be eligible for under the law, including but not limited to:
- Medical treatment already received, along with projected future care needs
- Lost wages or salary when you could not work after the crash
- Changes to your long‑term earning ability in more serious cases
- Physical pain and the emotional impact of dealing with your injuries
- Loss of enjoyment of everyday activities you valued before the crash
- Damage to personal property, such as phones, glasses, or other items
- Wrongful death damages for certain family members when a loved one is killed in a pedestrian collision
Each case is different. Our job is to understand the details of your case so the claim reflects the financial and emotional burdens the crash has had on your life.
Ask Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa
Q: Do I still need a lawyer if the police report says the driver was at fault?
A favorable police report can help, but it does not guarantee a fair result. Insurers may still question your injuries, argue about your medical care, or suggest that you share some fault. A lawyer can help protect your interests, document the full impact of your injuries, and evaluate whether settlement offers are reasonable in light of your situation.
Q: What if I crossed on the flashing “don’t walk” hand when I was hit?
These situations are very fact‑specific. Florida law does not automatically bar a claim just because you entered or were in a crosswalk during a flashing signal. We would look at when you started crossing, how far you got, what the driver was doing, and how visibility and speed may have played a role before offering guidance.
Q: Can I make a claim if the driver who hit me left the scene and was never found?
It may still be possible. Depending on your circumstances, there may be insurance coverage available through certain policies you or a household member carries. We can review the available coverages and discuss whether there is a realistic path to compensation even when the at‑fault driver is unknown.
Florida Pedestrian Accident Lawyer FAQ
How long do I have to bring a pedestrian accident case in Florida?
For many pedestrian injury cases in Florida, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Some situations can shorten or complicate that timeframe, so it is important to talk with a lawyer as soon as you can to evaluate deadlines and preserve your rights.
How do legal fees work in pedestrian accident cases?
We offer free consultations, and most pedestrian accident cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. That typically means you do not pay attorney’s fees at the start of the case; instead, our fee is usually paid from a recovery if we obtain compensation for you. We will explain the details during a free consultation so you know what to expect before deciding whether to move forward.
What if the driver and the insurer both say the crash was my fault?
It is common for drivers and insurers to point the finger at pedestrians, especially when crossings occur mid‑block or near intersections. Florida’s comparative fault rules may still allow a case to proceed even if more than one person shares responsibility. We can review the available evidence and give you a candid view of how those rules might affect your situation.
Can a family pursue a claim if a loved one was killed while walking?
In many cases, yes. Florida’s wrongful death laws allow certain surviving family members to bring a wrongful death claims after a fatal pedestrian crash. We can explain who may qualify, what types of damages may be available, and how the process works in practical terms.
Is there an “average” settlement for a pedestrian accident in Florida?
There is no single average number that applies to every case. Crashes involving catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain damage or spinal cord harm with lasting limitations can justify significantly higher recoveries, sometimes reaching hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars to account for long-term care needs.
Our personal injury attorneys can review your case for free to help you understand how much your specific case may be worth.
Talk With A Florida Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
If you were hit while walking in Florida and are now trying to manage medical appointments, time away from work, and calls from insurers, you do not have to work through those issues alone.
Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa is committed to carefully reviewing your case, explaining your choices clearly, and pursuing the best outcome reasonably available under your circumstances.
Call (561) 478‑2500 or contact us online for a free consultation. Tell us what happened, and we will walk you through how we can help.