Serving Pedestrian Accident & Injury Victims for Over 20 Years
"Whether it's a whiplash, serious injury or wrongful death case, we pride ourselves on representing you with the personal service and aggressive representation that you expect and deserve!" -Attorney Ron Sholes
Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Holding Negligent Motorists Accountable
Few accidents are as traumatic as pedestrian accidents. When a person is hit by a car, truck, bus, or another motor vehicle while on foot, they are likely to sustain catastrophic injuries. In the most tragic of cases, these injuries ultimately prove fatal.
At the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., our pedestrian accident attorneys understand the immense challenges you are facing if you or a loved one was hit by a careless, reckless, or negligent driver. We believe that the person responsible should be held accountable for your damages, including financial losses, future medical bills, and pain and suffering. With over 100 years of combined experience, our team of aggressive, proven trial lawyers is ready to fight tooth and nail to recover the maximum compensation you are owed.
Continue reading to learn more about your rights and how we can help you file a pedestrian accident claim, or call us at (855) 933-3881 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an attorney.
Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way?
Although many people believe that pedestrians always have the right of way, this is actually not true. Pedestrian laws vary from state to state, but there are many instances in which pedestrians are required to yield to oncoming vehicles.
That being said, motorists have a responsibility to not only follow the law but to also do everything they reasonably can to avoid hitting someone crossing the street or walking along the roadway. This is because pedestrians are simply no match for large, heavy vehicles, and a collision could easily result in the pedestrian sustaining severe, life-threatening injuries.
Generally speaking, pedestrians have the right of way when they are:
- Crossing in a marked or unmarked crosswalk
- Crossing on a “walk” signal or green light at an intersection
Pedestrians should generally yield to vehicles when:
- Crossing where there is no intersection
- Crossing outside of a marked or unmarked crosswalk
While pedestrians should always use caution and avoid stepping out into crosswalks suddenly, especially when oncoming vehicles may be unable to yield in time, motorists are not entirely off the hook when such accidents occur. Often, motorists are unable to stop in time not because a pedestrian darts out into a crosswalk but because the motorist was distracted or engaging in careless or reckless behavior.
Liability in Pedestrian Accident Cases
As in most personal injury cases, the issue of liability is a key element of your pedestrian accident claim. In order to seek compensation for your damages, you will need to prove that someone else is liable. Often, this involves proving that another person or party was negligent or acted wrongfully, leading to your injuries and resulting damages. However, liability can become fairly complicated when the at-fault party tries to argue that you were partially at fault for the accident.
In most states, including Florida and Georgia, shared fault does not bar you from bringing a claim. In other words, even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover compensation for your damages depending on the specifics of the case. In Florida, where there is a pure comparative negligence system, you can file a pedestrian accident claim regardless of your degree of fault in the incident (as long as the other party is at least 1% to blame). In Georgia, however, you can only file a claim if you were less than 50% responsible for the accident. In both cases, your total recovery will be effected according to your at-fault percentage.
Shared fault is a common tactic used by insurance companies to devalue or deny claims. The liable driver’s insurance provider may argue that you were partially or even wholly to blame for the accident. This can negatively impact your ability to bring a claim, as well as your ability to recover the full and fair compensation you are owed.
At the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we know how to fight back against these tactics. Our pedestrian accident lawyers are not afraid to go up against major insurance providers and their defense attorneys—and we have a proven record of success in negotiating with and litigating against these entities.
Fighting for Your Maximum Recovery
Pedestrian accident victims are likely to suffer serious, debilitating injuries, such as spinal cord injuries and paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, multiple fractures, and accidental amputation. At the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A., we know the immense impact these injuries have, both on your life and the lives of your loved ones. Because of this, we fight tirelessly to maximize our clients’ recoveries and help them get back on their feet.
Depending on the details of your case, we can help you seek compensation for your:
- Medical bills
- Lost income/wages
- Future medical care costs and lost earnings
- Lost earning capacity due to disability
- Rehabilitative care
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
Our attorneys stop at nothing when it comes to fighting for our clients. We don’t just settle for the first lowball offer; instead, we are ready to aggressively negotiate for a fair settlement and, when necessary, we are prepared to take your case to trial.
Contact Our Team to Learn More
After a serious accident or injury leaves you hospitalized, out of work, and struggling to move forward with your life, you need a legal team you can count on to protect your rights and represent your best interests. Since 2003, the Law Offices of Ron Sholes, P.A. has been successfully representing severely injured individuals and the families of those wrongfully killed throughout Florida and Georgia. We have what it takes to help you navigate the legal process and fight for the maximum recovery you are owed.
We offer compassionate, client-focused service and a results-oriented approach. As military veterans, we bring the same sense of service, commitment, and dedication to your case that has seen our attorneys through tours of duty in the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. We are ready for any challenge and are here for you every step of the way.