If you need to walk in heavily trafficked areas, you must be vigilant and take care to avoid being struck by a car. Unfortunately, safety precautions for Boca Raton pedestrians do not prevent all accidents, and motorists occasionally strike even those who are taking proper precautions.
If you were in a pedestrian accident, a compassionate local attorney understands what you are going through and the pain and consequences that you might face. We care about people in our community and want to help you seek justice and monetary compensation.
People walking on Boca Raton streets should take precautionary measures to minimize their chances of being struck by a car.
Many pedestrian accidents occur because the driver did not see the pedestrian. People are harder to see than cars, but that should not justify an accident occurring through driver negligence. Although drivers should use reasonable efforts to be aware of everyone around them—regardless of whether they are on foot, on a bike, or in a car—pedestrians can also undertake reasonable efforts to make it easier for drivers to see them. For instance, during the day, walkers should wear bright colored clothing so they are more visible in sunlight. At night, they should wear light colored or reflective clothing that stands out against the night sky.
As much as possible, walkers should stick to well-lit areas.
Just as motorists should not drive distracted, pedestrians should also avoid distractions. They should always pay attention to what is around them and not look away from the road, such as to check their texts or look at something that catches their eye across the street.
Florida Statutes § 316.130 sets forth specific rules for pedestrians to follow, including the following:
Unfortunately, accidents can occur even when pedestrians act responsibly and follow the rules. Our attorneys can help you follow the proper procedures to pursue damages in a civil lawsuit.
When pedestrians in Boca Raton fail to take necessary safety measures, accidents are more likely to occur. Fortunately, the fact that you crossed the road outside of an available crosswalk or did something else that was against the road rules should not automatically bar your right to pursue damages. Florida courts operate with a modified comparative fault rule, as outlined in Florida Statutes § 768.81. Provided a court determines that your actions were not more than 50 percent to blame for the accident, you could still recover damages, but a court would reduce your compensation in proportion to your degree of fault.
Our skilled attorneys can investigate the crash and help you build a claim for compensation by locating clear evidence proving that someone else was more to blame for the crash than you.
To minimize the chances of devastating harm when walking on roads with motor vehicles, you should try to adhere to proper safety precautions for Boca Raton pedestrians. However, even if you acted safely, you may have been involved in an accident, and you might still be eligible to collect damages.
At Your Damage Lawyer, we are always by your side. Contact us today to learn how we can help you build a robust claim for the compensation you deserve.
