Pedestrian Accident Attorney in St. Petersburg, FL

Being struck by a vehicle while walking is one of the most dangerous ways to be injured on the road, since a pedestrian has nothing to absorb the impact of a car, truck, or motorcycle. Tampa Bay is regularly ranked among the more dangerous metro areas in the country for pedestrians, and St. Petersburg’s dense downtown, busy commercial corridors, and beachside tourist traffic all contribute to serious pedestrian accidents. At Jeeves Law Group, we represent injured pedestrians throughout St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, and the greater Tampa Bay area.

Where Pedestrian Accidents Happen in St. Petersburg

Pedestrians face real risk crossing busy corridors like Central Avenue, 4th Street North, 34th Street, and Tyrone Boulevard, as well as in high foot-traffic areas around downtown St. Petersburg, Beach Drive, and the Grand Central District. Poor lighting, drivers failing to yield at crosswalks, left- and right-turning vehicles, and distracted or impaired driving are common causes of the pedestrian accident cases we handle throughout Pinellas County and across the bay in Tampa and Hillsborough County.

Florida Law and Fault in Pedestrian Cases

Florida law gives pedestrians the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks, and drivers are required to exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians regardless of whether a crosswalk is present. That said, insurance companies often try to shift blame onto the pedestrian, arguing that it was jaywalking or inattention. Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence standard, you can still recover damages as long as you are found 50 percent or less at fault, but an unanswered fault argument from the insurer can significantly affect your settlement. Most pedestrian injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident.

Insurance Complications Pedestrians Face

Because pedestrians are not occupants of a vehicle, Florida’s Personal Injury Protection system does not typically apply the way it does for drivers and passengers. Depending on the circumstances, coverage may come from the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability policy, or from an uninsured motorist policy if you or a household member has one, even though you were on foot at the time. Identifying every available policy is often the difference between a fair settlement and one that falls short of your medical bills.

Injuries That Require Serious Legal Attention

Pedestrians have no protection from vehicles, which means their traumatic injuries are often catastrophic and costly. Pedestrian accidents frequently cause:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Fractures
• Crush injuries
• Soft tissue tears
• Other injuries requiring surgery and extended rehabilitation

We work with treating physicians and, when needed, accident reconstruction experts to document exactly how the crash happened and the full extent of what it cost you. We take the severity of pedestrian accidents seriously.