Port St. Lucie Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

You can take in all the beauty that Port St. Lucie has to offer when you go for a walk. Whether it is for exercise or for transportation, a walk can be a breath of fresh air for you and your family. However, walking can be a dangerous activity in such a busy city. With congestion, speeding vehicles, and drivers who fail to follow the traffic laws, you can find yourself in a scary situation if injured in a Port St. Lucie pedestrian accident. A Port St. Lucie pedestrian accident attorney from Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa can fight for your right to compensation.

Common Port St. Lucie Intersections for Pedestrian Accidents

Even if you cross the street in a marked crosswalk, using the walk signals and traffic lights, you are still in danger of being injured in an accident in Port St. Lucie. Marked crosswalks, traffic lights, and other traffic laws do not matter much to inattentive, impaired, or aggressive drivers.

Some of the most dangerous intersections in Port St. Lucie for pedestrians include the following:

• SE Veterans Memorial Parkway and Route 1
• SE Crosstown Parkway and Route 1
• SW Port St. Lucie Boulevard and SW Bayshore Boulevard
• SW Pear Drive and SW Port St. Lucie Boulevard
• Glades Cut Off Road and Commerce Centre Drive

Pedestrians can suffer injuries anywhere in Port St. Lucie, not just in these intersections throughout the city. For this reason, you need to be mindful of your surroundings at all times and wear bright colored clothing so drivers can see you.

Fatal Pedestrian Accidents in St. Lucie County

According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV), there were 12 pedestrians killed in accidents in St. Lucie County in 2021. Those 12 deaths came from the 134 pedestrian accidents in the county in 2021. Overall, there were 50 traffic fatalities in 2021 in St. Lucie County.

Injuries Caused by Pedestrian Accidents

The injuries you can suffer in a pedestrian accident can be traumatic and deadly no matter your age, weight, or safety precautions you take. The most common pedestrian accident injuries include the following:

• Broken bones
• Road rash
• Amputation
• Internal bleeding and damage to your organs
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Crush injuries
• Lacerations
• Eye damage
• Dislocated shoulder
• Broken jaw

While not an exhaustive list, you should speak with an experienced Port St. Lucie pedestrian accident attorney from Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa as soon as possible. You should also receive medical treatment and adhere to all instructions provided by the doctor once released from the hospital.

Types of Pedestrian Accidents

A pedestrian accident can occur in a crosswalk, on the sidewalk, and in just about any way imaginable. This is why you must be vigilant at all times when going for a walk. Some common types of pedestrian accidents include the following:

• Driver runs a red light or a stop sign
• Driver fails to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk
• Driver does not check for pedestrians before turning right or left
• Driver backs into a pedestrian in a parking lot or a driveway
• Driver loses control of their vehicle and hops a curb

How to Protect Yourself in Port St. Lucie

Whether you are walking for exercise, to get to school, to go to work, or to run an errand, you need to protect yourself at all times. Port St. Lucie is home to thousands of people, and many more visit throughout the year. With so much vehicle traffic, you need to be on alert for possible accidents. You can take the following safety precautions when out for a walk:

• Always use a crosswalk
• Follow all traffic laws
• Obey the walk and don’t walk signs
• Do not dart out into traffic
• Wear bright-colored clothing
• Avoid walking at night, but if you must, wear reflective gear and use a flashlight
• Do not listen to music or talk on the phone while walking
• Walk on the sidewalk when one is available
• If no sidewalk is available, walk as close to the right of the road with traffic as possible

Compensation for a Port St. Lucie Pedestrian Accident

If you suffer an injury in a Port St. Lucie pedestrian accident, you deserve to be compensated for your damages. Compensation can be obtained for the following:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of wages and benefits
• Medical expenses
• Ambulance costs
• Loss of consortium

It might also be possible to obtain punitive damages, which can only be awarded by the judge. Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for their actions.

Can I File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

If you suffered the loss of a loved one in a fatal pedestrian accident in Port St. Lucie, you might be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Under Florida law, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the surviving family members. The lawsuit must name the following people:

• Surviving children
• Surviving spouse
• Surviving parents

Florida Statute of Limitations

In Florida, you have four years from the date of an accident to file a claim against the at-fault parties. Filing one day past the statute of limitations can result in the court dismissing your case. You can have the statute of limitations for your case paused if any of the following happen:

• If the plaintiff becomes mentally incompetent
• If the plaintiff becomes temporarily incapacitated
• If the government offices are closed due to a natural disaster
• If the defendant flees the jurisdiction and cannot be found

Call a Port St. Lucie Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today

Were you or a loved one injured as a pedestrian in Florida? You deserve to be compensated for your injuries so you can focus on recovering. The Port St. Lucie pedestrian accident attorneys at Rosenthal, Levy, Simon & Sosa can investigate the accident, build a case on your behalf, and help you recover compensation. Call our office today to schedule a consultation with a member of our team.