Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Tampa

How a Pedestrian Injury Lawyer Can Help You

Pedestrian accidents often involve complex questions of liability, multiple insurance policies, and significant injuries. A skilled pedestrian injury lawyer can help clarify your legal options, protect your rights throughout the process, and build a strong case for compensation, whether through settlement or trial.

At Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore, our experienced team offers comprehensive support from the moment you contact us. Here’s how we can help:

Conduct a Thorough Investigation

We visit the accident scene, review traffic camera or surveillance footage, consult with accident reconstruction experts if needed, and collect witness statements to determine exactly how the collision occurred.

Establish Liability

In many pedestrian accidents, drivers or other parties may deny fault. We carefully analyze driver behavior, road conditions, visibility, and any relevant traffic laws to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Handle All Communication with Insurance Companies

Insurance companies may attempt to minimize your claim or blame you for the accident. We handle all correspondence, protect you from lowball settlement offers, and fiercely advocate for you.

Document Your Injuries and Losses

We work with medical providers to understand the full scope of your injuries—both current and future. Our team will gather medical records, bills, and expert evaluations to support your claim for damages.

Negotiate a Settlement or Litigate in Court

If a fair settlement isn’t possible, we prepare your case for trial and represent you in court. We’re not afraid to take on large insurers or defense attorneys when your recovery is at stake.

From start to finish, our goal is to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible while pursuing the maximum compensation available under Florida law.

Areas We Serve

Our pedestrian accident attorneys are based in Tampa, but we provide legal representation throughout the state of Florida, including:

Clearwater
St. Petersburg
Ft. Lauderdale
Bradenton
Key West
Brandon
Orlando
Sarasota
Boca Raton
Lakeland
Naples
Fort Myers
Cape Coral
Miami
West Palm Beach
Jacksonville

Can I Sue After a Pedestrian Accident in Florida?

Yes, you may be able to file a lawsuit after a pedestrian accident in Florida if someone else’s negligence caused your injuries. An experienced lawyer can evaluate the specifics of your situation and help you determine the best legal path forward.

Florida law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and take reasonable steps to avoid collisions. If a driver violates these duties by speeding, running a red light, texting while driving, or otherwise acting recklessly, they may be held liable for the injuries they cause.

Statute of Limitations

Florida has a two-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit, including pedestrian accidents. If you do not file your claim within this time frame, you could lose your right to pursue compensation entirely. Don’t delay—contact a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident.

Understanding Florida Pedestrian Accident Lawsuits

To successfully bring a pedestrian accident lawsuit in Florida, you must demonstrate that the driver was negligent and that their negligence caused your injuries. You’ll also need to show the extent of your economic and non—economic damages.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Negligence is at the core of most pedestrian accidents, and it frequently stems from driver error or carelessness behind the wheel. These incidents can happen in neighborhoods, busy downtown areas, school zones, or even parking lots—anywhere vehicles and pedestrians share space. Understanding the common causes can help identify who may be liable and how to pursue a legal claim.

Some of the most frequent causes of pedestrian accidents include:

Distracted Driving

Texting, checking social media, adjusting GPS, or even eating while driving can divert a driver’s attention long enough to miss a pedestrian crossing the street or stepping off a curb.

Speeding in Residential or School Zones

Higher speeds reduce a driver’s reaction time and increase the severity of impact. Children, in particular, are at risk in school zones where drivers fail to slow down.

Failure to Yield at Crosswalks

Florida law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks. Ignoring these rules often leads to serious and preventable injuries.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol

Impaired drivers have slower reflexes and poor judgment, making it harder to notice and respond to pedestrians quickly.

Running Red Lights or Stop Signs

Many pedestrian crashes occur when drivers fail to obey traffic signals or signs, especially at intersections where pedestrians are crossing with a signal.

Low Visibility and Failure to Use Headlights

Accidents are more likely to occur at dawn, dusk, or night, particularly when drivers don’t use headlights or fail to see pedestrians in dark clothing.

Left-Hand Turns at Intersections

Drivers making left turns often focus on oncoming traffic and fail to check for pedestrians in the crosswalk, leading to collisions.

In any of these scenarios, if drivers failed to follow traffic laws or weren’t reasonably attentive to their surroundings, they may be legally responsible for the accident and any resulting harm. A thorough investigation by your attorney can uncover these contributing factors and support your compensation claim.

Calculating Damages in Pedestrian Accident Claims

In a pedestrian accident case, your lawyer will help identify and calculate the full range of damages you’ve suffered. Compensation can cover both financial costs and the personal toll the accident has taken.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the financial losses you experience directly because of the accident. They may include:

Emergency medical care and hospital bills
Ongoing treatment or rehabilitation
Lost wages due to missed work
Reduced future earning potential
Assistive devices or home modifications

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate you for the pain and suffering caused by the accident. In Florida, these damages may be available if you’ve suffered a permanent injury, scarring, disfigurement, or a loss of bodily function.

An attorney can assess whether your case qualifies for non-economic damages and advocate for a settlement that accounts for the full extent of your suffering.