Wesley Chapel Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Accidents that involve a pedestrian and motor vehicle can be serious, and sometimes even fatal. If faced with such an incident, it is important to make sure that the involved parties are not seriously hurt. If so, call 911 and the police immediately. Following an accident, an individual may pursue a claim to compensate them for their damages.
If you or a loved one was struck by a motor vehicle, contact a Wesley Chapel pedestrian accident lawyer today to discuss your case. An experienced personal injury attorney in Wesley Chapel can build a case to help maximize any potential compensation you may be owed.
Exercising Due Care
In 2015, according to a recently published study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pedestrian accidents resulted in a little more than 5,300 fatalities and approximately 70,000 injuries. This equates to a pedestrian being killed nearly every hour and 36 minutes. More than two-thirds of pedestrians killed in a traffic-related incident were males. At least 20 percent of the accidents that resulted in fatalities involved children under the age of 13.
Although it is often true that a pedestrian will have the right of way, this does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty to exercise due care when traversing the public streets. Pedestrians must adhere to traffic signals or to any police officer instruction.
If a sidewalk or crosswalk exists for a pedestrian to use, the pedestrian must use it. For instance, a pedestrian may not be found to have exercised due care if they choose to walk on the paved street when there is a sidewalk available.
In any accident that involves a motor vehicle and a pedestrian, courts will look to see whether the pedestrian was exercising due care at the time of the incident. To better understand the circumstances surrounding due care, individuals should consult with a pedestrian accident attorney in Wesley Chapel immediately.
Walking at Night
The NHTSA estimates that approximately 74 percent of accidents occur when it is dark out. This is not surprising given the lowered visibility. People tend to be tired in the evening and have a lowered sense of awareness.
Many factors can contribute to a nighttime pedestrian incident, but it is more important to prevent these accidents from occurring. If someone chooses to walk at night, it would be good to:
- Carry a flashlight
- Wear reflective or light clothing
- Avoid dark or poorly lit areas if possible
- Stick to the main streets and sidewalks
- Obey all traffic signals even if there are no cars in sight
- Avoid talking on a cell phone or texting
- Avoid using headphones or keep music on a very low volume
What to Do if Involved in an Accident
Being in an accident can be a high-stress event. If no one has been seriously injured, it is important to remain calm and treat it as any other accident. Following this main area of concern, there are many steps to take. It is important to exchange contact and insurance information. Call the police to report the accident. Get a police report and take pictures of any injuries as well as of the scene of the accident. The more evidence documenting the accident, the better. For further information regarding what to do after an accident, contact a Wesley Chapel pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible.
For further information regarding what to do after an accident, contact a Wesley Chapel pedestrian accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact an Attorney
When a motor vehicle collides with a pedestrian, there are many questions to be asked. Issues pertaining to liability should not be left up to insurance companies to decide.
An experienced Wesley Chapel pedestrian accident lawyer will help maximize any recovery that may be available for the injured party.