Miami Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

As a pedestrian, you have little to protect yourself in the event of an accident. You’re sharing the road with large, heavy vehicles and hope that drivers will be careful. Unfortunately, Miami is one of the most dangerous places for pedestrians. More pedestrians are injured in Miami every year than anywhere else in the state.

Have you or someone you love has been injured as a pedestrian in Miami? If so, you may be entitled to compensation from the person who caused your accident. Contact the experienced legal team at Lavent Law to find out how we can help you make the most of your personal injury case. We’re prepared to help you fight for the money you need and deserve. Call to schedule a free consultation with our personal injury lawyers today. We are available 24/7 to take your call.

Miami Pedestrian Accident Statistics

Miami is one of the most popular cities in the country. It’s home to nearly half a million people and millions of tourists visit the city every year. As a result, Miami’s roads are jam-packed with vehicles and pedestrians. Accidents throughout the region increase as more cars and people hit the road. In fact, Miami was recently named the 4th most dangerous city in the country for pedestrians.

Total Pedestrian Accidents

The number of pedestrian accidents in Miami has remained steady over the past few years:

• 2014: 1,522
• 2015: 1,605 (93)
• 2016: 1,450 (84)
• 2017: 1,545 (58).

Although 2018 isn’t over yet, it seems as though pedestrian accidents are still a problem. 1,179 pedestrian accidents were reported in Miami in the first 10 months of the year.

Fatal Pedestrian Accidents

The overall number of pedestrian accidents in the city has not changed significantly over the past few years. However, the number of pedestrian fatalities has fluctuated considerably:

• 2014: 77 pedestrian deaths
• 2015: 93 pedestrian deaths
• 2016: 84 pedestrian deaths
• 2017: 58 pedestrian deaths.

It seems as though 2018 was not a particularly safe year for pedestrians. Nearly 70 pedestrian fatalities have been reported through the first 10 months of the year.

Miami Is Home to Some of the Most Dangerous Intersections

Intersections are involved in approximately 40 percent of all motor vehicle accidents. This number increases significantly when accidents involving pedestrians are considered. As a thriving and popular city in Southern Florida, Miami is home to some of the most dangerous intersections in the country.

More pedestrian accidents are reported at these intersections in Miami-Dade County than anywhere else in the area:

• NE First Avenue and NE Sixth Street
• NE Second Avenue and 36th Street
• SW 117th Avenue and Kendall Drive
• South Dixie Highway and I-95
• SW 117th Avenue and 152nd Street
• Dade Boulevard and Alton Road
• 36th Street and NW 87th, and
• Pines Boulevard and South Flamingo Road.

Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Drivers in large vehicles get the benefit of large steel structures and safety belts. Motorcyclists and bicyclists benefit from safety gear and helmets. Pedestrians, on the other hand, have little to protect themselves in the event of an accident. This is probably why pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely than other accident victims to die in a crash.

Most pedestrian accidents, however, are not fatal. The majority of accident victims suffer a wide range of injuries. Commonly reported pedestrian accident injuries include:

• Soft tissue injury
• Broken bones
• Brain injury
• Spine injury
• Thoracic injury
• Herniated disc
• Eye injury
• Amputation
• Paralysis, and
• Catastrophic injury.

Contact Lavent Law if you have suffered a serious injury after a Miami pedestrian accident. Our attorneys are prepared to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call today to learn more.

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Miami

Accidents involving pedestrians can (and do) happen for a number of different reasons. However, there are certain causes that are reported more frequently than others.

Distracted Drivers: Each year, hundreds of thousands of motor vehicle accidents involve distracted drivers. Many of these accidents affect pedestrians. When a driver is concentrating on his cell phone, passenger, or radio instead of the road, accidents are more likely to happen. Unfortunately, many distracted driving accidents occur at intersections, where pedestrians are most likely to be struck by a vehicle.

Distracted Pedestrians: Drivers aren’t the only ones who are increasingly distracted by technology. Studies show that pedestrians are increasingly responsible for their own accidents. Why? They’re distracted. Pedestrians are often glued to their phones while walking. Many also wear earbuds or headphones, which can significantly reduce the ability to hear traffic. Some cities across the country have begun to restrict when and how pedestrians may use technology while sharing the road.

Aggressive Drivers: Miami is a busy city and drivers always have somewhere to be. Unfortunately, this means that many drivers ignore the law and drive aggressively. Speeding, changing lanes abruptly, and making illegal turns are all behaviors that cause pedestrians accidents.

Failure to Comply With Local Laws: Many accidents involving pedestrians happen because drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians aren’t fully familiar with local laws and customs. Anyone on the road must know who has the right of way and if there are any special rules or laws that apply to them. Not knowing the law can create a dangerous situation and cause an accident.

Drugs and Alcohol: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is dangerous. Intoxicated drivers experience reduced reaction times and typically have a difficult time driving a car safely. Drunk drivers are likely to veer from their lane, drive through red lights and stop signs, and drive onto a sidewalk. However, drivers aren’t the only ones who pose a threat when intoxicated. Pedestrians are more likely to stumble or bolt into traffic while under the influence. Lack of balance and coordination can contribute to a serious accident.

Large Cars and SUVs: New research shows that the increase in fatal pedestrian accidents across the country may be due, in part, to the rise in popularity of SUVs. In fact, SUVs are twice as likely to kill a pedestrian than other passenger vehicles. SUVs often have limited visibility and many blind spots, which can increase the likelihood of striking a pedestrian.

Recovering Compensation After Your Miami Pedestrian Accident

As a pedestrian, you are more likely than others to suffer serious and debilitating injuries. As a result, the days, weeks, and months after your accident can be incredibly overwhelming. You may require extensive medical care and several months of rehabilitation. Serious injuries can often generate medical bills of tens (if not hundreds) of thousands of dollars.

Your injury may cause chronic pain and/or limit your ability to work. Without an income, the financial costs of your accident can be overwhelming. What happens when your costs exceed the limits of your insurance policy? You can take action and file a personal injury claim against the person who caused your accident.

At Lavent Law, our attorneys are prepared to help you recover the money you need and deserve. We’ll aggressively pursue monetary damages on your behalf, which can include compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Nursing care
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Disability
• Pain and suffering
• Anxiety and depression
• Emotional trauma
• Disfigurement
• Embarrassment
• Loss of consortium, and
• Loss of enjoyment of life.

It’s important to make sure that you get the money you deserve after an accident. Our personal injury lawyers make sure that we not only identify which damages you can recover, but also that those damages are valued properly. We work closely with experts in various fields to make sure that you are compensated fairly.

Why You Need to Hire an Attorney After Your Pedestrian Accident

When you are injured and someone else is to blame you have the right to demand compensation. However, you also need to take care of yourself after your accident. The last thing you need during your recovery is the stress of navigating a lawsuit on your own. Personal injury cases can be complicated and are best handled by an experienced attorney. Hiring a lawyer will give you the time you need to get back on your feet and help to maximize your recovery.

Here’s how our Miami personal injury lawyers will help you after your pedestrian accident.

1. We’ll Protect You From Insurance Companies

Insurance companies will probably be involved if you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident. These companies aren’t interested in helping you get the money you need. In fact, they will do whatever they can to limit your payout. At Lavent Law, our attorneys will protect you from the manipulative tactics and approaches on which insurance companies rely. We’ll hold them accountable and demand that they extend a fair and reasonable settlement offer.

2. We’ll Maximize Your Recovery By Carefully Investigating Your Case

More than one person can be responsible for causing an accident in Miami. It’s important that you are able to identify anyone who may have contributed to your injury. Why? You can seek compensation from anyone who shares fault. Our attorneys will carefully investigate your case to determine the cause(s). This will then allow us to identify who is to blame. This could include drivers, bicyclists, the government, employers, or even manufacturers of defective products. We’ll demand compensation from anyone who caused you harm.

3. We’ll Limit Your Liability If You Share Fault

Did you contribute to your pedestrian accident or injury? If so, don’t worry. You can still recover money as long as someone else also shares some of the blame. However, the amount of money you’ll be able to recover will be reduced. It’s important to gather evidence that limits your responsibility for the accident. The less fault you share, the greater your financial award.

Call Miami Pedestrian Accident Attorney Boris Lavent Today

Thousands of pedestrians are injured in Miami every year. If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian in Miami and someone else is to blame, you have the right to file a claim for damages. The money you recover can help to cover expensive medical bills, make up for lost income during recovery, and even compensate for the emotional stress of the accident. At Lavent Law, our personal injury lawyers understand that an accident can turn your life upside-down. We’re here to help you assert your rights and get the money you deserve. Call today to schedule a free consultation and learn more.