There are few types of accidents more devastating than a car-vs.-pedestrian crash, where the results are some of the most severe injuries one can experience. The human body is no match for a two-ton moving projectile – even one moving at a slow speed.

The pedestrian accident lawyers at Freeman & Mallard have seen the traumatic effects of pedestrian accidents in Port St. Lucie/Ft. Pierce, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding areas, and have represented many victims and their families in their fight for justice. Our staff is dedicated to helping victims and families put their lives back together while dealing with the aftermath of a serious or fatal Florida pedestrian accident.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that in 2008, 69,000 pedestrians were injured in traffic accidents, and 4,378 pedestrians were killed. This represents one pedestrian death every 2 hours, and a pedestrian injury every 8 minutes. Each time they leave on a trip, pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to be killed in a car crash on each trip than are passenger vehicle occupants.

A total of 490 pedestrians were killed in Florida in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, second only to the 620 deaths reported in California.

Several factors can lead to a serious injury or death of a pedestrian, including a vehicle traveling at an excessive rate of speed, an inattentive, distracted or impaired driver, inadequately marked traffic and pedestrian thoroughfares, and poorly planned urban areas where cars and pedestrians are forced to interact in close proximity to one another.

Many city planners and traffic design engineers are designing or revamping the traffic and pedestrian routes in their communities in an effort to curb the number of crashes involving cars and pedestrians, and local urban planners are continually studying new ways to ensure that those on foot and those behind the wheel never meet.

There are some things pedestrians can do to reduce their risk of being struck by a motor vehicle. Pedestrians should be especially careful at intersections, where drivers often fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians while turning onto another street. Pedestrians should also increase their visibility at night by carrying a flashlight when walking and by wearing reflective clothing.

If there are no sidewalks and pedestrians must walk in the street, they should walk facing traffic, and always cross the street at a designated crosswalk, not in mid-block.

The facts surrounding a car-vs.- pedestrain crash are not always as obvious as they first appear. These types of cases are some of the most complex on today’s legal landscape. An experienced attorney will properly research every detail regarding the accident in order to built a case with the best chance of winning the compensation you deserve.

The Florida pedestrian accident attorneys at Freeman & Mallard will tirelessly represent your rights, and fight for the financial compensation you deserve under the law. Crash victims in Fort Lauderdale, Port St. Lucie/Ft. Pierce, West Palm Beach and the surrounding areas are urged to call us today for a free, confidential appointment to discuss your rights, and to learn more about our history of success on behalf of injured clients.