A pedestrian accident can change your life without warning. Being struck by a motor vehicle while crossing the street can leave you with catastrophic injuries. Your injuries might result in substantial medical bills and lost income from missed work.
You should not have to take on the financial consequences of injuries from a pedestrian accident caused by a driver’s negligence. Do not accept less than full compensation for your losses. Let a Pensacola pedestrian accident lawyer from Cardoso Law, PLLC, help you pursue accountability and justice for the harm you have endured.
Why Choose Cardoso Law, PLLC, for Your Pedestrian Accident Case?
At Cardoso Law, PLLC, our mission is to make things right for injured victims. That mission has allowed us to develop a proven reputation for obtaining success for our clients. Our track record includes millions of dollars recovered in injury claims. Our thorough preparation and persistence let the insurance companies know that we will fight as hard as necessary to recover every penny our clients deserve.
We know your anxiety, stress, and emotions after suffering life-altering injuries in a pedestrian accident. So we strive to give you peace of mind by offering compassionate, personal attention when we represent you. Our legal team will take the time to listen to your story and understand your needs, goals, and concerns. And whenever you have a question, you can contact us and expect a prompt response.
If you, as a pedestrian, have been hit by a car, reach out to us at Cardoso Law, PLLC, for a free initial case evaluation. A Pensacola pedestrian accident attorney from our firm can help you better understand your legal options for recovering compensation for your injuries. You will pay nothing upfront to hire us for your pedestrian accident claim; we are paid only if we recover compensation for you in a settlement or at trial.
How Many Pedestrians Are Killed in Pensacola Annually?
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, in a recent year, Escambia County had a total of 138 pedestrian crashes, which resulted in 115 pedestrian injuries and 17 pedestrian fatalities. The county had a three-year average of 149 pedestrian crashes and 20 pedestrian fatalities.
Frequently Asked Questions
A pedestrian accident often leaves victims with many unanswered questions. At Cardoso Law PLLC, we believe a successful case begins with informing injury victims about the legal process, their legal rights, and the actions they can take to strengthen their claim. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions clients ask our attorneys.
If I wasn’t using the crosswalk, can I still collect damages?
Yes, you may still recover compensation even if you did not use a marked crosswalk at the time of the collision.
Florida follows a comparative negligence system for pedestrian accident lawsuits. Under this system, anyone who bears less than 51 percent of the blame for the accident can recover compensation. However, your recovery will be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
For example, if you didn’t use a crosswalk, but the driver was speeding or texting at the time of the collision, then the driver most likely bears a significant portion of the responsibility. As long as the driver’s responsibility exceeds 50 percent, you can still recover damages.
What if I crossed when the “Walk” sign was red?
Crossing against a traffic signal does not automatically bar your claim. Drivers must still operate their vehicles safely and remain alert for pedestrians. If their negligence or recklessness contributed to the accident, their liability doesn’t disappear because of a red walk sign.
Insurance companies often try to blame injured pedestrians in cases like these. Our Pensacola pedestrian accident attorneys push back by presenting clear, evidence-based arguments that hold the at-fault driver accountable.
What happens if the driver who hit me was uninsured or had very little insurance?
Uninsured or underinsured drivers can present significant challenges, but you still have options. Our law firm will investigate all available coverage sources, including:
- Your own uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage
- Household auto policies that may extend coverage
- Other liable third parties, such as employers or vehicle owners
What should I do if the driver leaves the scene after a pedestrian accident?
A hit-and-run accident requires immediate law enforcement involvement, so call 911 right away. If you can, note as many details about the fleeing vehicle as possible, including the color, make, model, any portion of the license plate number, and the direction the vehicle fled, and share them with the responding officer.
Police may identify the driver through surveillance footage or witness statements. If authorities can’t locate the driver, our Pensacola pedestrian accident lawyers can still help you recover compensation through uninsured motorist coverage.
Should I seek medical treatment if my accident was minor?
You should always seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even if you do not appear to be injured. Some injuries, like whiplash and internal damage, don’t necessarily present symptoms until hours or days after they occur. Not only that, but seeing a healthcare provider creates critical documentation connecting your injuries to the incident.
Insurance companies often use delays in medical care to argue that your injuries either aren’t serious or aren’t connected to the accident at all. Seeking prompt medical care protects both your safety and your legal claim.
