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Pedestrian Accident Lawyer West Palm Beach, FL
Free ConsultationsWere you or a loved one struck by a driver while simply walking?
Plaintiff-focused attorneys standing up for injured pedestrians across West Palm Beach, FL.
A pedestrian has no protection against a moving vehicle, so a driver’s momentary carelessness can leave someone with catastrophic, life-changing injuries. A pedestrian accident lawyer in West Palm Beach, FL, at Jacobson Injury Firm investigates what happened, establishes the driver’s negligence, handles the insurers, and pursues the full compensation an injured pedestrian deserves. Attorney Adam Jacobson prepares each claim as though a jury will decide it. Contact us for a free consultation to learn what your case may be worth.
Pedestrian Accident Lawyer West Palm Beach, FL
A pedestrian accident claim arises when a driver’s negligence causes a collision with a person on foot. South Florida is consistently one of the most dangerous regions in the country for pedestrians, and West Palm Beach sees frequent pedestrian crashes on high-traffic corridors like Okeechobee Boulevard, Southern Boulevard, Broadway (US-1), Australian Avenue, and Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, as well as in the walkable downtown around Clematis Street and Rosemary Square where foot traffic and vehicles constantly mix.
According to pedestrian-safety data from the Governors Highway Safety Association, Florida ranks among the worst states in the nation for pedestrian fatalities. When a driver strikes a pedestrian, the injuries are usually severe, and establishing liability and the full value of the claim is critical to a fair recovery. Matters that proceed to litigation are heard in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in West Palm Beach
Most pedestrian crashes trace back to preventable driver conduct. The causes we see most often include:
- Distracted driving. Drivers looking at phones or navigation instead of the crosswalk ahead.
- Failure to yield. Drivers turning or entering intersections without yielding to pedestrians who have the right of way.
- Impaired and speeding drivers. Alcohol, drugs, and excess speed dramatically raise both the likelihood and severity of a pedestrian strike.
- Poor visibility and low-light conditions. Many serious pedestrian crashes happen at dusk, at night, or in poorly lit areas.
- Backing and parking-lot collisions. Drivers reversing or maneuvering in lots and garages without checking for people on foot.
Florida’s No-Fault Rules and Injured Pedestrians
Many injured pedestrians are surprised to learn that Florida’s no-fault system can still help them. Even though you were not in a vehicle, if you own a car or live with a relative who does, your own personal injury protection under Florida Statute § 627.736 can typically provide the first layer of medical and wage benefits after a pedestrian crash. Beyond PIP, a serious injury opens the door to a claim against the at-fault driver for the full range of damages that no-fault coverage does not cover.
Why Choose Jacobson Injury Firm as Your Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach, FL?
Preparation Insurers Respect
Pedestrian cases reward thorough investigation, because insurers often try to blame the pedestrian for the crash. Adam Jacobson approaches each case with a litigation-driven mindset and readies every matter as though it will reach a courtroom, which is often what moves an adjuster off a lowball offer. He earned his law degree from Florida International University College of Law and is admitted to practice in Florida, New York, Connecticut, and Illinois. His Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology with a minor in Immunology proves especially useful when medical records and injury causation become central to a case.
Direct Attorney Access and Real Recoveries
Unlike high-volume firms that pass clients between paralegals, Adam personally handles every case from the first phone call to final resolution. He has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and knows the West Palm Beach roads and intersections where these crashes happen.
No Fee Unless We Win
Pedestrian accident cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, so there is no retainer and no hourly billing, and a fee is owed only if we recover for you. When a pedestrian crash connects to a broader matter, our work as a West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer covers the full range of negligence claims in Palm Beach County.
Understanding Damages in a Pedestrian Accident Case
Because pedestrians absorb the full force of a collision, their injuries are often catastrophic, and compensation must reflect that. Depending on the facts, recoverable damages may include emergency and ongoing medical care, surgery and rehabilitation, and future treatment, along with lost wages and diminished earning capacity. Pedestrian crashes frequently cause traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and spinal damage, and injured pedestrians may also recover for pain and suffering. The most severe cases can result in a wrongful death.
Insurers routinely argue the pedestrian darted into traffic or crossed against a signal. Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence law in Florida Statute § 768.81, a recovery can be reduced by the injured person’s share of fault, and a person found more than 50% at fault generally recovers nothing. A clear, evidence-backed reconstruction of the crash is often what defeats an unfair blame-shifting argument.
Important Aspects of a Pedestrian Accident Case
A few factors tend to shape how these claims unfold. Evidence such as traffic-camera and nearby business surveillance footage, skid marks, and witness accounts fades or gets overwritten quickly, so acting fast matters. Prompt medical care both protects your health and ties your injuries to the crash. Knowing what to do after an accident helps protect your claim, and national pedestrian-safety research from NHTSA and statewide Florida crash data confirm how often these collisions turn serious.
The Pedestrian Accident Case Timeline
Every claim runs on its own schedule, but most follow the same general case timeline. We investigate the crash, preserve the evidence, and identify every liable party and insurance policy. We follow your medical treatment so the claim reflects the full scope of your injuries. We then submit a demand and negotiate toward a fair settlement. If the insurer refuses a reasonable amount, we file suit and move into discovery. Finally, the case resolves through settlement or, when necessary, a jury trial.
Important Florida Legal Resources
Florida law sets the framework for these claims. No-fault PIP requirements appear in Florida Statute § 627.736, comparative fault under Florida Statute § 768.81 controls how shared blame affects recovery, and the statute of limitations in Florida Statutes § 95.11 gives most negligence claims two years from the date of injury.
Pedestrian Accident Lawyer FAQs
Does my own car insurance help if I was hit while walking?
Often, yes. If you own a vehicle or live with a relative who does, your personal injury protection coverage can typically pay the first layer of medical bills and lost wages even though you were on foot. This surprises many injured pedestrians, and it is one of the first things an attorney checks after a crash.
What if the driver says I stepped into the road?
That is a common defense, but it does not end your claim. Florida’s comparative fault rule allows recovery as long as you are not more than 50% at fault, with your award reduced by your share of blame. Evidence like surveillance footage, witness statements, and the physical scene often disproves an unfair blame-shifting argument.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Florida?
Most negligence claims must be filed within two years of the date of injury under Florida Statutes § 95.11. Because footage and witness memories fade quickly, acting well before the deadline helps preserve the evidence a strong claim needs.
What if the driver who hit me fled the scene?
You may still have a path to compensation. In a hit-and-run, your own uninsured motorist coverage can apply, and investigators can sometimes identify the driver through camera footage and witness accounts. An attorney can pursue both avenues while preserving the evidence.
What does it cost to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer?
Nothing upfront. Jacobson Injury Firm handles pedestrian accident cases on a contingency basis, so there are no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you, and the initial consultation is free.
Contact Jacobson Injury Firm to Schedule a Consultation
If you or a loved one was injured while walking in West Palm Beach, you do not have to face the driver’s insurance company alone. A West Palm Beach pedestrian accident lawyer at our firm can review what happened, preserve the evidence, and pursue the full compensation the law allows. Consultations are free, and we work on a contingency basis, so there are no attorney fees unless we recover for you. Contact Jacobson Injury Firm today to speak directly with Adam Jacobson.