If you or a family member were injured while walking in New Port Richey, FL, you may be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party. An experienced New Port Richey pedestrian accident lawyer at Winters & Yonker, P.A. can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and your pain and suffering.
Collectively, our lawyers bring over 119 years of experience to the table. We’ve helped countless injured clients recover the meaningful compensation they need to move on with their lives.
You don’t have to stand up to the insurance companies alone. Contact our law offices in New Port Richey, Florida, at (727) 910-5060 to schedule a free consultation with our experienced lawyers today.
How Winters & Yonker, P.A. Can Help After a Pedestrian Accident in New Port Richey
Your lawyer’s experience can make a significant difference in your case. At Winters & Yonker, P.A., we have decades of experience handling complex motor vehicle accident cases. We’ve been using our experience and resources to help injured clients recover fair compensation since we opened our doors back in 2001.
Our New Port Richey personal injury lawyers believe that every client deserves the highest quality legal representation. We’re dedicated to providing accident victims the personal attention their cases deserve.
When you hire our law firm to protect your interests, you’ll have an entire legal team to:
- Launch a comprehensive investigation into the accident
- Find out who is liable for your damages
- Help you file a claim with the insurance company
- Invest our own resources by hiring experts and specialists
- Calculate the fair value of your personal injury claim
- Negotiate with the insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Advocate for you before a judge and jury if necessary to secure a fair deal
The insurance companies recognize our name when they see it. To learn more about how a New Port Richey personal injury attorney can help with your case, give us a call today.
How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents in New Port Richey?
The simple act of walking across the street can be deadly. Pedestrian fatalities in the United States reached a 40-year high in 2021. According to preliminary reports, 7,485 people were hit by cars and killed while walking in 2021.
According to a report prepared by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA), Florida is one of the most dangerous states in the nation for pedestrians. In 2021, 899 pedestrians were killed in the state of Florida. That’s a significant increase from prior years. Statewide, 716 pedestrians were killed in 2020, and another 745 pedestrian fatalities were reported in 2019.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 573 pedestrians were killed in the first ten months of 2022.
Unfortunately, the Tampa Bay area has been ranked as the eighth most deadly metropolitan area for pedestrians.
What Is My New Port Richey Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
Every personal injury claim must be evaluated individually. There are many different factors that may influence the value of your case. Even if your accident and injuries were very similar to someone else’s, your situation will be unique.
Some of the factors that may affect your case value include:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- The cost of your current medical treatment
- Your need for future medical care and rehabilitation
- The value of your lost wages and employment benefits
- Whether your future earning capacity was diminished
- Damage to your quality of life and lifestyle
- Whether you’ll require assistance with basic activities
- Whether you’re accused of contributing to the accident
- Available insurance coverage
Our lawyers at Winters & Yonker, P.A. can help you fight to recover your full case value. We’ll work with respected experts to gain insight into the more complex aspects of your case. Their testimony can force the insurance company to take you seriously and increase the amount of compensation you recover.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Pedestrian Accident Victims in New Port Richey?
Damages are classified as either economic damages or non-economic damages under Florida personal injury laws.
Your economic damages award should compensate you for all of your financial losses, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning potential
- Rehabilitation and specialized therapies
- Nursing care and in-home assistance
- Medications and medical devices
- Property damage
Your non-economic damages compensate for your personal losses. These “invisible” losses may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Chronic pain
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Loss of consortium
Insurance companies won’t simply hand over a check to cover your losses. As the victim, it’s up to you to identify the types of damages you’ve sustained. You’ll also have to establish the value of these damages.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Pedestrian Accident in Florida?
In cases involving shared fault, Florida follows a pure comparative fault law. You can recover damages even if you’re 99% responsible for the accident.
Your settlement or verdict will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 75% responsible for your accident, you can recover 25% of your compensation.
Insurance companies try to use these shared responsibility rules when liability isn’t clearly established to reduce your settlement. These allegations aren’t always fair. Our lawyers in New Port Richey can help you fight these “blame the victim” tactics so you can take home the maximum compensation you deserve.
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Car accidents involving pedestrians often result in shocking injuries. Pedestrians don’t even have a helmet to protect them in a crash. They’re the most likely to suffer debilitating injuries when they’re hit by a car.
At Winters & Yonker, P.A., our New Port Richey pedestrian accident attorneys often represent clients who have suffered:
- Internal organ damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Neck injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Degloving injuries
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
If you were involved in a pedestrian accident and suffered injuries, don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a free consultation today.
What Causes Most Pedestrian Accidents in New Port Richey, Florida?
Florida is one of the most deadly states in the nation for pedestrians. Serious pedestrian accidents happen for all kinds of reasons.
Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way in crosswalks and parking lots
- Speeding
- Passing too close to the sidewalk or shoulder
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Malfunctioning signals at intersections
- Lack of crosswalks
- Poor lighting and lack of visibility
Reports also show that pedestrian injuries and fatalities could be reduced if infrastructure was improved. Adding sidewalks, redesigning crosswalks, and reducing speeds could all serve to reduce the number of pedestrian fatalities in Florida.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Pedestrian Accident in Florida?
While the exact cause of the accident may vary, most pedestrian accident claims are based on negligence.
To prove negligence, you must establish:
- The defendant owed the pedestrian a duty of care
- A breach of duty
- Causation
- You sustained damages
Your New Port Richey pedestrian accident attorneys will gather the evidence you need to prove negligence, including:
- Video surveillance footage, whether from traffic cameras, dash cams, or nearby businesses
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- Traffic citations
- Opinions from accident reconstruction specialists
- Cell phone records
- Data from the accident scene
There are many types of evidence that can be useful to your case. Our lawyers will also evaluate factors such as intersection design, road conditions, and speed limits. To get started, call our legal team to schedule a free initial consultation today.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Pedestrian Accident in Florida?
The statute of limitations is a law that limits the amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit after an accident. Under Florida law, most accident victims have four years to take legal action. If you file your lawsuit more than four years after the date of the crash, the judge will simply dismiss your case.
That doesn’t mean you should wait four years to call a lawyer. There are many different reasons to act quickly after an accident. Insurance policies have their own time limits. The investigation into your case can take a significant amount of time–and valuable evidence can be lost if you wait too long.
Contact a New Port Richey Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer for a Free Consultation
At Winters & Yonker, P.A., our lawyers know that the injuries you sustain in a pedestrian accident can change your life forever. If you or a loved one were injured, an experienced New Port Richey pedestrian accident lawyer can help you fight for the money you need. Your financial award can make a huge difference when it comes to your recovery, so call our law firm for a free case review today.
