Were you or a family member injured in a pedestrian accident in Melbourne, FL? The at-fault driver may owe you significant compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, trauma, and more. An experienced Melbourne pedestrian accident lawyer can help you maximize your compensation award.
Our Melbourne pedestrian accident attorneys at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law have over 75 years of combined experience. To date, we’ve used our legal knowledge to help accident and injury victims recover tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
You shouldn’t have to bear the financial cost of someone else’s mistake. To learn more about how a lawyer can help, call our law offices in Melbourne, Florida at (321) 334-3929 and schedule a free consultation today.
Whether it’s a motorcycle accident, a Melbourne slip and fall, a brain injury, or a Melbourne wrongful death, our law firms provide personalized legal representation in Melbourne. We take the stress off your shoulders so you can focus on your recovery while we fight for your compensation.
How Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law Can Help After a Pedestrian Accident in Melbourne
If you were hit by a car, you might think it’ll be easy to recover compensation from the at-fault driver. In reality, most injury victims face an uphill battle. The insurance company might contest liability entirely. It’s almost always difficult to prove the value of your losses after a severe injury.
Our Melbourne personal injury lawyers at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law can help. When you hire our Melbourne personal injury attorneys, you benefit from a top-rated team of attorneys with a reputation for success. When insurance companies see you’ve hired our firm, they know you’re serious about getting a fair deal.
Hiring us gives you a dedicated team in Melbourne, FL, who will:
- Conduct a comprehensive investigation into the accident
- Compile the strong evidence you need to prove your case
- Handle the paperwork and insurance claims process
- Work with leading experts to strengthen your claim
- Determine how much your case is worth
- Negotiate aggressively for the maximum compensation possible
You deserve an attorney who will fight for every available dollar. To learn more about how we can help, call our Melbourne pedestrian accident attorneys to schedule a free case review today.
How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents in Florida?
Florida is particularly dangerous for pedestrians. In fact, Florida has been ranked as the second-deadliest state in the nation for pedestrians. According to the “Dangerous by Design” report, pedestrian deaths in the U.S. have increased steadily over the last 14 years. Unfortunately, the Melbourne metro area was ranked 11th on the list of most dangerous areas for pedestrians.
During the first ten months of 2024 alone, 8,543 pedestrians were involved in motor vehicle accidents. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 528 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents during that same time frame. In 2023, 801 pedestrians were killed in fatal car accidents across Florida.
What Is My Melbourne Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
All personal injury cases. Because pedestrians tend to suffer more severe injuries in a crash, pedestrian injury claims are often high. That makes it particularly important to have an experienced Melbourne pedestrian accident attorney evaluate your case value.
As we build your claim for compensation, our attorneys will evaluate a number of factors, including:
- The overall severity and nature of your injuries
- Your medical treatment costs
- Your prognosis for recovery
- Expected future expenses, including ongoing medical attention and rehabilitation
- How does the injury impact your work, considering any lost earnings
- Long-term impacts on your earning capacity
- Intangible losses, such as trauma and loss of enjoyment of life
- Lifestyle changes
- The impact of Florida’s shared fault laws
Our lawyers have already earned a reputation for helping injury victims maximize their compensation awards. You can count on us to fight for every available dollar. Whether you’re already dealing with an insurance offer or are just getting started, call our law firm in Melbourne to explore your legal options today.
What Types of Compensatory Damages Are Available to Pedestrian Accident Victims in Melbourne?
Your compensation award should account for any loss you have suffered due to your accident and injuries. Under Florida personal injury laws, victims can pursue compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages.
Some examples of the types of damages you may recover if someone else caused your crash include:
- ER visits, doctor’s appointments, hospitalization, and other medical expenses
- Future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning ability
- Physical therapy
- Rehab
- Nursing care
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Trauma
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Chronic pain
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages may also be available in rare cases where the defendant’s acts were shocking enough to deserve punishment.
It’s critical to have strong evidence to support your claim for compensation. Some of these damages can be extremely difficult to prove. Often, expert testimony can be the key to recovering a settlement that fully covers your losses.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Handle a Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Like most injury firms in Florida, Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law works on a contingency fee basis. You can hire our law firm without paying any upfront fees. If your lawyer is able to recover compensation in your case, they take a percentage to cover attorneys’ fees.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Pedestrian Accident in Florida?
Even as a pedestrian, it’s possible that you’ll be blamed for causing the crash. Under Florida law, blame is divided between all parties who contributed to the crash.
Even if you do share some blame for the accident, you may be able to recover some compensation. Your damages will be reduced to account for any blame allocated to you. Once your share of fault exceeds 50%, Florida’s modified comparative negligence law says you cannot recover any damages at all.
Our Attorneys in Melbourne Handle All Pedestrian Accident Injury Cases
Pedestrians are susceptible to all types of injuries. Unlike with accidents involving only vehicles, you have nothing to protect you in a crash.
Our attorneys represent clients in all types of injury cases, including those where the victim has suffered:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- Neck and shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Road rash
- Burns
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Crushing injuries
- Chest and thoracic injuries
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
Our attorneys are also experienced in wrongful death cases. If you lost a loved one in a fatal pedestrian accident, contact us today to learn more about how we can fight for compensation.
What Causes Most Pedestrian Accidents in Melbourne?
Pedestrian accidents are most likely to occur when drivers are negligent.
Some examples of the types of careless behaviors that often result in accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Racing through intersections
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Speeding
- Lane departures
- Aggressive driving
- Veering onto the sidewalk
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving
- Driving while under the influence of drugs
Dangerous road conditions can also increase the risk of accidents. Things like poor lighting, poorly marked sidewalks, and malfunctioning traffic signals can increase the risk of pedestrian accidents.
How Do I Prove Liability After a Pedestrian Accident in Florida?
Most injury victims must prove negligence to establish liability.
To prove someone else owes you compensation after a crash, you must prove:
- They had a legal duty of care, as all drivers do
- They did something to breach the duty, such as speeding or using a cell phone while driving
- That breach was actually what caused your accident
- You suffered specific damages, such as physical injuries, mental trauma, and financial expenses
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, our lawyers are prepared to help you prove it. We know how to locate and compile the evidence you’ll need to prove your case.
As we investigate the circumstances of your accident, we’ll collect and evaluate the following:
- Police reports and traffic citations
- Physical evidence from the crash scene
- Any video footage from dash cams, traffic lights, or even doorbell cameras
- Witness statements
- Cell phone records
- Toxicology reports
- Medical records and receipts
Expert testimony can be a critical element in complicated personal injury cases. Our attorneys have access to respected experts who can testify about what caused your accident and injuries. When we present your demand for compensation to the insurance company, you can rest assured that we’ll have built the strongest possible case.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Pedestrian Accident in Florida?
Time to take legal action is always limited after an accident. The statute of limitations in Florida is two years. That means you have two years from the date of the accident to sue for damages.
Two years might seem like a long time. However, the longer you wait, the harder it will be to prove your case. When in doubt about your rights, it’s always better to seek legal advice as soon as you can.
Contact a Melbourne Pedestrian Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
Do you have questions about your legal rights and options after an accident in Melbourne, FL? Call a Melbourne pedestrian accident lawyer at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law. We have the experience and resources to help you stand up to the insurance companies and fight for full compensation.