Sarasota Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer

Sarasota Pedestrian Accident Lawyers You Can Trust

Pedestrian vs Vehicle accidents stand out from other traffic accidents for a number of reasons:

• A human body is no match for a car, truck, or motorcycle in motion. The person struck has no vehicle body surrounding him or her and no protective devices such as seat belts. A pedestrian with a helmet is a rarity. Head injuries and other serious injuries are common.
• Sometimes, pedestrian accidents are truly accidents. This can be the case when motorists cannot see the person or try unsuccessfully to avoid striking him or her. In other cases, it’s clearly the result of a driver’s gross negligence.
• Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents are common. Even when no one identifies the vehicle or driver, the pedestrian can pursue compensation through uninsured motorist coverage, either their own policy or a family member’s policy within the same household.
• Every accident is unique. Variables such as crosswalks, crossing signals, and the injured pedestrian’s age may impact a case.

If you need guidance after such an event, a Sarasota pedestrian accident lawyer at Greg Linehan Law can explain your legal options and help pursue compensation.

Contact us today at 941-559-4529 to discuss your case and learn how we can help you.

Make a Statement and Influence Change

Did you know that our area of Florida has some of the nation’s worst statistics pertaining to pedestrian accidents? Do you hope to make a statement about the hazards at the location where your pedestrian accident happened? Our Sarasota pedestrian accident lawyers will gladly collaborate with you in that effort. Our firm can fight to hold the negligent parties responsible for compensating you. We can also advise you on how to bring complaints forward.

With your injuries, you may be in a powerful position to illustrate to authorities what can happen when an intersection is dangerous or traffic flow is not properly regulated. Authorities may consider changes in the area where you or your loved one was injured while on foot in our city or elsewhere.

For now, however, we consider it our job to help you get the resources you need to cover:

• Medical bills,
• Rehabilitation and therapy,
• Lost wage replacement, and
• Pain and suffering.

Reach out to Greg Linehan Law to learn more about your rights and options for support after an unjust accident.

This Should Not Have Happened to You!

Greg Linehan Law is a local Sarasota law firm strongly committed to making our community a better place. We want our city to be safer and fight for fair compensation for those injured in pedestrian accidents. 

With 26 years of experience, our pedestrian accident attorney is ready to fight for your right to compensation for your losses. Even if your case presents difficulties, Greg Linehan Law is prepared to persevere for the sake of your recovery.

We are always willing to evaluate potential pedestrian accident cases and give preliminary advice in a free initial consultation. We can travel to your home or hospital if you are unable to come to our law offices. Once you decide to work with our firm, you can count on clear communication with the attorney. The rest of our firm is also here to help you. We operate as a team in support of our clients’ successful case outcomes.

Allow Us to Earn Your Trust and Get a Recovery for You

We are confident that we can earn your trust through how hard we work on your case. We also intend to earn your trust with the recovery we achieve for you. Most of all, we want to earn your trust through the strength of our compassion. We are sure that you will see how determinedly we translate caring into action through our law practice.

It is our job to lighten your load as you do the hard work of recovering from your injuries or the loss of a loved one to wrongful death. You can play your part, too, first by contacting our attorney as soon after a pedestrian accident as you can. To discuss your pedestrian accident with members of our talented team, call Greg Linehan Law at 941-559-4529 or send an email inquiry below.

Sarasota Pedestrian Accident FAQs

How Long Do I Have to File a Florida Pedestrian Case?

Florida law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the driver. If a pedestrian dies from their injuries, the two-year period also applies to a wrongful death case.

The court enforces this deadline strictly. A case filed late will not be heard, even when the driver’s fault is clear.

Starting sooner gives you access to stronger information. Police crash reports are easiest to obtain right after the accident. Businesses near downtown Sarasota or along busy routes like Tamiami Trail often keep surveillance footage for only a short period. Tourists who witness the accident may leave town quickly and become difficult to locate.

A pedestrian accidents attorney in Sarasota can open an insurance claim, request records, and contact witnesses before these opportunities disappear. Meeting the deadline protects your right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and the personal impact of the accident.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Pedestrian Accident?

The timeline depends on the injuries and how the insurance company handles the claim. A straightforward accident with limited medical treatment may resolve in under a year. When a pedestrian suffers fractures, surgeries, or long-term disability, the case usually takes longer.

Your lawyer usually waits until doctors know your long-term medical outlook before beginning serious settlement talks. A broken leg from being hit on Fruitville Road, for example, may involve surgery, physical therapy, and months of recovery. Until your treatment plan stabilizes, your lawyer cannot calculate future medical expenses or wage loss.

Once your condition stabilizes, your Sarasota pedestrian accident lawyer compiles medical bills, proof of income loss, and ongoing treatment records. They then submit a demand to the driver’s insurer.

If the insurer accepts responsibility and coverage is adequate, negotiations can lead to a settlement. When the insurer denies liability or undervalues injuries, litigation may follow, which extends the timeline through depositions, hearings, and possibly a trial.

Does Insurance Cover Hitting a Pedestrian?

Yes. In most Sarasota accidents, the driver’s liability insurance covers injuries to a pedestrian. That policy pays medical expenses, lost income, and other damages up to the policy limits.

When the driver has no insurance or flees, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may apply. A pedestrian can often use their own auto policy or one from a relative living in the same home. This coverage helps fill the gap when the at-fault driver cannot pay.

Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage may also provide benefits if the pedestrian owns a Florida-registered vehicle. PIP usually pays a portion of medical bills and some lost wages.

Health insurance may also pay for treatment, but the insurer often seeks repayment once the parties settle. Commercial vehicles, rideshare companies, and government vehicles carry separate coverage rules. Reviewing every available policy is important to know the full amount of coverage that may apply.

Who Is at Fault If a Car Hits a Pedestrian?

Responsibility depends on how both the driver and the pedestrian acted at the time of the accident. Drivers must yield in marked crosswalks, stop for signals, and avoid speeding or distractions. A driver who ignores these duties can be held liable.

Pedestrians must also follow rules. They must obey traffic signals, cross within designated areas when possible, and avoid stepping into traffic when vehicles cannot stop.

Florida follows modified comparative negligence. A pedestrian who is partly at fault can still recover damages, but their share of fault reduces the award. If the pedestrian is more than 50 percent responsible, they cannot recover damages.

Crash reports, traffic camera video, and witness accounts often establish fault. In Sarasota, many pedestrian cases assign primary responsibility to the driver, but each situation requires a review of how both parties acted.

What Type of Damages Am I Entitled to in My Pedestrian Case?

A pedestrian hit by a car in Sarasota may pursue both economic and noneconomic damages.

Economic damages include:

• Emergency care and hospitalization,
• Surgeries and follow-up treatment,
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation,
• Prescription medications,
• Assistive devices such as crutches or wheelchairs, and
• Lost income and reduced future earning ability.

Noneconomic damages include:

• Pain and suffering;
• Emotional distress, such as anxiety or depression;
• Permanent disability or impairment;
• Scarring or disfigurement; and
• Loss of enjoyment of daily activities.

Courts may also award punitive damages when the driver engages in reckless conduct, such as drunk driving. A pedestrian accidents lawyer in Sarasota can assess your losses and present a claim for fair compensation.

Resources:

Flordia Statutes § 95.11(5)(a), link.