Call Us Today Boca Raton’s busy intersections can put pedestrians at risk when drivers fail to pay attention or break traffic laws. If you were hit while walking, a pedestrian accident lawyer in Boca Raton can explain your options beyond the first insurance offer and help you understand what your claim may include.
At Viles & Beckman, our Boca Raton personal injury lawyers have represented injured Floridians since 1995. With more than 40 years of combined experience and over $118 million recovered, we know how to deal with insurers and pursue compensation that is full and fair. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win.
Why Pedestrian Accident Claims Can Be Complicated
A pedestrian crash may seem simple when a driver clearly hit someone who was walking. However, the legal claim can still involve questions that affect how much money is available and who has to pay it.
Insurance companies may work hard to find a way to blame you so they can reduce your payout or deny your claim outright. Florida’s insurance system can also be confusing. A pedestrian may be able to use personal injury protection (PIP) benefits through their own auto policy, a household policy, or the driver’s policy.
This situation can get sticky and result in money headaches and stressful situations for you while you’re trying to heal. A lawyer can help sort out which insurance policies apply and what deadlines control the claim.
Expect More, Receive More: Legal Support That Feels Like Family
Do You Need a Lawyer if the Driver Was Clearly at Fault?
Many people assume they do not need a lawyer when the driver admits fault or the crash report seems clear. The insurance company may still question the severity of your injuries or argue that your medical treatment was too expensive. It may also offer a quick settlement before the full impact of the injury is known.
Once you sign a settlement release, the claim is usually over. That can create problems if you later need surgery or time away from work. A lawyer can review an offer before you sign anything and explain whether it accounts for your future costs.
The cause of the crash is only one part of the claim. The value of the claim depends on proof of injury, proof of losses, and the available insurance coverage.
(239) 334-3933 The First Insurance Offer Is Not Your Only Option
The first offer from an insurance company is often based on the information it has at that moment. That offer may not include the cost of future care. It may not reflect missed work that continues after the first few weeks. It may also leave out the pain caused by limited mobility or daily discomfort.
You do not have to accept an offer just because it is presented as “final.” A pedestrian accident attorney in Boca Raton can compare the offer against your medical records and the facts of the crash. If the offer does not reflect the harm you suffered, your lawyer can negotiate for more or prepare the case for court.
Insurance companies handle claims every day. Most injured pedestrians do not. Having someone who understands the process can make the situation less one-sided.
Click To ContactWhat Compensation Can Include After a Pedestrian Accident
The damages you can pursue in a pedestrian accident claim depend on how the injury affects your life. A claim may include medical bills already received and care that doctors expect you to need later. It may include income you lost while recovering and reduced earning ability if your injuries limit the work you can do.
Pain and suffering may also be part of the claim. This can include physical pain, emotional strain, loss of independence, or the frustration of being unable to move through daily life the same way you did before the crash.
Some injuries take time to understand. A broken bone may heal in a predictable way. A traumatic brain injury or back injury may create symptoms that change over time. Waiting until your medical condition is clearer can help prevent a settlement that is too low.
What a Boca Raton Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Does
A lawyer’s job is to build the claim and protect you from avoidable mistakes. That starts with investigating the crash. Your attorney can review the police report, look for video, contact witnesses, study the scene, and gather proof that shows how the driver caused the collision.
Your lawyer can also deal with insurance adjusters for you. This matters because adjusters may ask for recorded statements or broad medical authorizations. Those requests can seem routine, but they may be used to reduce the value of your claim.
A lawyer also calculates damages. This means looking beyond current bills and considering future treatment, lost earning ability, and the long-term effect of the injury. If the insurer will not make a fair offer, your attorney can continue pursuing the case in court.
How Florida’s Shared Fault Rule May Affect Your Claim
Florida uses a modified comparative negligence rule. This means your compensation can be reduced if you are found partly responsible for the crash. If you are more than 50 percent responsible, you will likely be unable to recover compensation.
Insurance companies may use this rule to argue that a pedestrian crossed outside a marked crosswalk, entered traffic too quickly, or failed to see an approaching vehicle. These arguments can reduce what they offer.
Evidence is crucial in a pedestrian accident case, and our lawyers understand what is important to gather and how to preserve it. The goal is to show what really happened rather than letting the insurer control the story.
Talk to a Boca Raton Pedestrian Accident Attorney
A pedestrian accident can raise questions about insurance, medical bills, fault, and what a fair settlement should include. You do not have to accept the first offer without knowing whether it covers your losses.
A Boca Raton pedestrian accident lawyer from Viles & Beckman can review what happened and explain your legal options in plain language. Contact us today for a free consultation.
