Tampa Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Have you been injured in a pedestrian accident in Tampa, FL? Pedestrians are the most vulnerable people on the road—and pedestrian deaths are on the rise in South Florida. Contact an expert Tampa pedestrian accident lawyer today to see if you are entitled to compensation from the at-fault party for your injuries and accident expenses.

Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers has represented injured pedestrians and their families for over 28 years. Contact our law firm today at (813) 222-8656 to schedule a free consultation with a Tampa pedestrian accident lawyer ready to help you.

How Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers Can Help After Your Pedestrian Accident in Tampa

How Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers Can Help After Your Pedestrian Accident in Tampa

When a careless driver hits you and leaves you with life-changing injuries, you should not have to fight an insurance company for fair compensation. Unfortunately, many injured pedestrians find themselves in a long battle with just such a company, one that minimizes their injuries and blames them for the accident. You deserve an aggressive Tampa personal injury lawyer to give you the representation you need.

Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers’ award-winning Tampa personal injury attorneys have recovered over $500 million for our injured clients. Indeed, we recently recovered a $1.5 million award for an injured pedestrian. We are a small firm that gives your cases the individualized attention it deserves. However, we have the reputation of a big firm and give your case the resources it needs to succeed.

Choose Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, and we will:

  • Give you sound legal advice, guidance, and support
  • Handle all communications, paperwork, and negotiations on your behalf
  • Investigate your accident to gather evidence and identify avenues for compensation 
  • Work with experts to prove negligence, causation, and the value of your damages
  • Build the strongest negligence case possible based on evidence and expert testimony
  • Negotiate for a settlement that fairly compensates you
  • Present your case before a jury if the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer 

Contact our law office in Tampa, Florida, today to schedule your free case evaluation with a Tampa pedestrian accident lawyer ready to fight for you. You deserve to focus on healing and moving forward; we’ll handle the rest.

How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents in Tampa, FL?

How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents in Tampa, FL?

Sadly, simply crossing the street in Tampa can be deadly. Florida is one of five states that accounted for almost 50% of pedestrian fatalities in the United States.

In 2019, there were 6,590 pedestrian deaths in America, the highest number of pedestrian fatalities in over three decades. About 47% of these deaths happened in Florida, California, Arizona, Georgia, and Texas. 

Florida is the most dangerous state for walking; it has seven of the ten U.S. metro areas with the most pedestrian deaths. Tampa Bay is the 8th deadliest metro area in the U.S. for pedestrians. A few other Florida metro areas were ranked higher, including Orlando, Daytona Beach, and Palm Bay.

What is My Tampa Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?

Every accident is unique; there is no way to estimate the value of your case without a careful analysis of the circumstances. Some damages are easy to value, such as lost wages, but others require expert financial and medical expertise.

It’s important to remember that some factors can limit the value of your case, including the amount of insurance coverage available and whether you contributed to your accident. The more severe and long-lasting your injuries, the more your case is likely worth.

Contact our law office today for a free consultation with a Tampa pedestrian accident attorney to discuss what your case may be worth.

We’re here to help, 24/7

What Kind of Damages Can Pedestrian Accident Victims Recover?

You may be entitled to several types of damages after your accident. Typically, you may seek compensation for your economic damages and non-economic damages related to your accident. 

These damages include money for:

  • Medical bills, both current and future
  • Lost wages
  • Diminished earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Emotional distress
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Scarring and disfigurement 

You may also be entitled to punitive damages. These damages do not compensate you for losses. Instead, a jury may award you punitive damages to punish the defendant for gross negligence or wanton disregard for human life.

If your loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident, you might be able to pursue separate damages through a wrongful death claim.

Can I Still Recover Damages if I’m Being Blamed for My Pedestrian Accident in Tampa, Florida?

When a driver strikes a pedestrian, they may be completely to blame for the accident. However, sometimes pedestrians share fault for the collision. If you are found partially responsible for your accident, you can still recover compensation thanks to Florida’s pure comparative negligence rules. Under this rule, each party is assigned a percentage of liability for an accident. You can recover damages even if you are found 99% to blame. However, your recovery is reduced according to your share of fault.

There are many scenarios in which a pedestrian can be partially or completely at fault for an accident. A pedestrian might cross a road outside of a crosswalk, cross against a signal, or walk where there is no pedestrian access.

Keep in mind insurance companies often try to blame victims for their accidents or for failing to mitigate damages. If you are being blamed, it’s crucial to consult with an experienced Tampa personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

We Will Fight for Maximum Compensation for All Your Pedestrian Accident Injuries

At Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, we understand how severe pedestrian injuries can be, even in a low-speed crash. A pedestrian has an 85% chance of being killed when they are struck by a motor vehicle going 40 mph. Nearly every Florida pedestrian accident results in injuries, and they are rarely minor. 

We represent injured pedestrians who have suffered:

Contact our law firm today to speak with a Tampa pedestrian accident lawyer. We will help you pursue the compensation you need for all your injuries, including your emotional and psychological injuries.

What Causes Most Pedestrian Accidents in Tampa, Florida?

Pedestrian accidents can happen in busy intersections and local roads. While a large number of pedestrians are killed on congested Tampa streets, most pedestrian deaths occur at night on local roads.

Driving behaviors commonly to blame for pedestrian accidents include:

Road and intersection design also play a role in pedestrian-involved accidents. When roads give drivers more cues to slow down, such as crosswalk curbs and narrower lanes, they reduce the risks of accidents.

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Pedestrian Accident in Florida?

To recover compensation after your accident, you must prove the other party was at fault. In a pedestrian accident, this involves proving negligence.

There are four elements of negligence:

  • The defendant owed you a duty of care. This means they owed you a duty to obey traffic laws, exercise caution, and act in a way that a reasonable person would.
  • The defendant breached their duty of care. This means they did or did not do what they should have. For example, a driver may have driven under the influence, failed to pay proper attention, or sped.
  • The breach of duty caused your accident. This can be difficult to prove. You must show that the driver’s conduct caused or contributed to the collision.
  • You suffered damages as a result of the breach. 

To prove the other party was negligent, your Tampa pedestrian accidents lawyer will build an evidence-based using:

  • Police accident reports
  • Witness statements
  • Traffic citations
  • Dashcam and traffic cam footage
  • Driver cell phone records
  • Photos of damage to the vehicle, the scene of the accident, and the design of the road 

At Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, we may also work with specialists to strengthen your case, including medical professionals, financial experts, and accident reconstruction experts. Expert testimony can be crucial to proving causation and the extent of your injuries.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Pedestrian Accident in Florida?

You have four years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida. If you miss the statute of deadlines, your case will be dismissed; you will be barred from recovering compensation for your injuries. Wrongful death claims after a fatal pedestrian crash have a two-year statute of limitations under Florida law.

While four years sounds like a long time, it’s never wise to delay your case. This can allow crucial evidence to be lost and weaken your case. Contact our Tampa personal injury attorneys as soon as possible to protect your claim and begin investigating your accident.

Contact a Tampa Pedestrian Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

After a serious accident, you face an uncertain future, medical bills, and an inability to work. Do not let the insurance company undervalue your case or unfairly blame you.

Contact Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a compassionate Tampa pedestrian accident lawyer ready to fight for you. You focus on your recovery; we’ll handle the rest. You have nothing to lose and no out-of-pocket costs; you only pay attorney’s fees if we recover money for you. Call us today at (813) 222-8656 or submit the form below for a free case evaluation.

Our Tampa, FL personal injury law firm also provides: