Were you hurt while walking as a pedestrian in Panama City? If so, the at-fault party could owe you significant compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. Call The Bruner Law Firm right away to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our expert Panama City pedestrian accident lawyers.
Pedestrian accidents are devastating for anyone involved. When you’re crossing the street or walking along the sidewalk, you assume you’re safe from harm. You might expect the cars around you will try to avoid putting you in any kind of danger. However, many motorists don’t pay attention to pedestrians until it’s too late. They’re either distracted or ignoring vital traffic signs and signals. That creates a hazardous situation for both the driver and the pedestrian.
Our Panama City accident lawyers have experience handling cases like yours. We understand the devastating impact your injuries had on your life. You’re in pain, unable to work, and worried about all the medical bills you’re receiving. We’ll relieve the burden by handling every legal aspect of your case. Your only job will be to focus on recovering.
We believe in seeking justice for our clients. When you hire us, we’ll work diligently to prove the driver’s careless actions led to your unfortunate situation. We never back down from a fight and will make sure you receive the financial compensation you deserve. You won’t have to go through this on your own. We’ll stay by your side every step of the way.
We take pride in the level of customer service we provide for our clients. We give everyone individualized attention to meet their needs and exceed their expectations. You can depend on us to maintain open communication and provide consistent updates until your case gets settled. Call us at (850) 769-9292 today for a free consultation.
Panama City Pedestrian Accident Statistics
Panama City is a popular tourist destination. Each year, thousands of people visit to spend their days at the beach and explore the surrounding areas. The warm climate gives visitors and residents a reason to walk around outside all day. More pedestrians on the sidewalks, roadways, and crosswalks increase the chance of an accident.
Anyone walking around Panama City is at risk of getting hit by a car, truck, or other vehicles on the road. It’s no surprise that the state of Florida ranks at the top of the list for most reported pedestrian accidents throughout the United States. The year-round summer temperatures and many tourist attractions are just two of the reasons pedestrians are at a higher risk here.
Pedestrian injury rates in Florida are twice the national average. Statistics show that one in five traffic-related deaths involve a pedestrian. That’s a shocking number that motorists could avoid if they pay close attention to their surroundings. Unfortunately, many drivers wrongly assume they have the right of way over pedestrians.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
In cities like Panama City, where residents and tourists share the roadways daily, an accident is inevitable. If you don’t pay attention or ignore traffic laws, you could end up getting injured or worse. The most common causes of pedestrian-related injuries and fatalities in Panama City include:
- Speeding
- Driver inattention
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failing to yield
- Making illegal turns
If you’re crossing the street, you typically have the right of way over drivers. If someone is in a rush to get to work or texting on their phone, they might not see you walking in their path. It’s important always to pay attention to the vehicles around you. Never assume everyone will stop if you’re at a crosswalk or in a parking lot. Assumptions are what lead to unsafe situations.
What Should I Do If I Am Hit By A Car?
Hire one of the Panama City pedestrian accident lawyers from The Bruner Law Firm if a negligent motorist harms you. Seeking legal representation is the best option for recovering a financial award. If you’re unfamiliar with insurance claims or lawsuits, you might not know what your rights are. You could get taken advantage of by an insurance adjuster looking to close out your file as quickly as possible.
If your injury isn’t too severe, you should always collect information at the accident scene. Get the driver’s auto insurance information, take photos of the vehicle, and wait for the police to arrive and fill out a crash report. All of that could help build a solid case if you choose to pursue legal action.
Undergoing a medical evaluation immediately after the collision is also an essential part of the process. Even if you don’t think you’re that hurt, you should still go to the hospital or an urgent care facility. Medical records provide excellent evidence. They can show your injuries were the direct cause of the accident as opposed to a pre-existing condition. If the doctor refers you for diagnostic testing, imaging, or specialty treatment, you must follow their orders.
Once you retain a Panama City pedestrian accident attorney, they will start working on your case by obtaining evidence. We want to create a timeline of events showing your injury happened because of the accident and required treatment. The evidence we’ll look for includes the following:
- Police and traffic reports
- The driver’s auto insurance information
- Repair estimates and bills for the at-fault individual’s vehicle
- Video surveillance of the crash
- Witness statements
- Photos of the accident scene
- Your medical records and bills
Once we locate the necessary evidence, we will file an insurance claim with the negligent motorist’s auto insurance carrier. All of the evidence we collected will get submitted to the assigned adjuster for review. We’ll negotiate with them until we agree to a settlement amount. If we’re unable to reach a settlement we believe is acceptable, we could file a lawsuit against the insurance company and negligent driver.
What Compensation Could I Receive?
Most people don’t realize they don’t need to file a lawsuit after getting hit by a car. Filing an insurance claim is useful in receiving the financial compensation you need to pay for your damages. Damages are losses resulting from an accident and injury. In the state of Florida, the law requires vehicle owners to carry liability insurance with a minimum bodily injury limit. That limit could compensate you for the damages you incurred while treating. You could seek both economic and noneconomic damages in an auto insurance claim. Economic damages are actual expenses, such as medical bills. Noneconomic damages are physical pain and emotional suffering. The damages you could seek compensation for include the following:
- Medical Bills: Treatment necessary to recover from your injuries, such as physical therapy, surgery, home health care, in-patient services, and prescription medications.
- Pain and Suffering: Significant physical pain endured that negatively impacts your quality of life and general happiness.
- Lost Wages: Past and future pay you’re unable to earn because of the accident.
- Emotional Distress: Emotional trauma that started after the crash occurred. Shock, stress, anxiety, and PTSD are all examples of emotional distress.
- Wrongful Death: If a pedestrian dies after getting hit by a car, loved ones could seek compensation for expenses, such as funeral and burial costs.
Whether your injuries are minor or severe, you could file a claim for any of the damages above. Our Panama City pedestrian accident lawyers strongly believe no one should have to pay for someone else’s reckless actions. The at-fault driver should pay for the expenses you incurred from treating your injuries. Their decisions put you in this situation, and they should be responsible for the consequences.
Injured in A Pedestrian Accident? Call Our Panama City Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today
The Panama City pedestrian accident attorneys from The Bruner Law Firm are proud of the legal representation we provide. No two clients are alike, and we aim to ensure your individual needs get met. Our team of legal professionals is available 24/7, so you can reach us at a time most convenient for you. We believe in the importance of compassion when speaking to our clients. We will always treat you with respect and professionalism, no matter what.
When you hire us, you and your case will be a priority. We aim to keep you informed so you know the status of your claim and what to expect in the future. We don’t like it when victims of pedestrian accidents get taken advantage of or treated unfairly. We’ll work hard to protect your rights and recover the maximum settlement available.
We know the financial burden you’re facing. It’s overwhelming trying to recover from an injury while working to pay your bills. We don’t want to add to the stress you already feel. That’s why we offer free consultations to all prospective clients. There’s no risk or obligation to speak with us. We’re happy to meet with you to review the details of your accident and determine the best options moving forward. We never pressure anyone into making decisions they’re not ready to make. We’re here to provide legal guidance, so you get to decide what will work best for you.
Call a Panama City injury lawyer from The Bruner Law Firm at (850) 769-9292. We’ll schedule your free consultation and get you on the road to recovery.
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