Joe Osborne & Greg Francis, Personal Injury Lawyers & Founders of Osborne & Francis

Boca Raton Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Florida has repeatedly been labeled as one of the most dangerous states for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. Studies frequently rank Florida as the second most hazardous because of its thousands of fatalities per year. In 2020 , there were 104,000 additional emergency room visits and 7,000 fatalities linked to pedestrian accidents. That’s one death every 75 minutes. 

So, unfortunately, these types of accidents are relatively common, especially amongst houseless or lower-class people. They’re the ones who tend to walk more frequently, putting them at higher risk for accidents. 

Pedestrian accidents can cause severe injury and lasting consequences for those who experience them. Not only that, but victims often experience an abundance of stress and even PTSD afterward. Thankfully, Osborne & Francis is here to help. We have a wealth of knowledge surrounding pedestrian accident cases, as well as years and years of success for our clients. We’re ready and eager to help you with your case, ready to help lift the stress off your shoulders. To learn more about our processes and how we can help you get the compensation that you deserve, contact our Boca Raton office online or call us at (561) 293-2600.

Video Transcript

So you've been in a car accident. What happens next? There are many things that you should do but here are the three most important:

Number One: See a doctor immediately. 

A broken bone is easy to see, but some injuries are not. The most common injuries from car accidents happen in the neck, back, or head. The only way to diagnose and treat them is by seeing a doctor. A doctor can help ease the pain, provide medication, reassure you of how your injury may impact your daily life, and tell you what not to do to make it worse.

A visit to the doctor can also give you legally protected time off to recover and rest your body after an accident, and it documents and provides the evidence you may need for your case. Even a five-mile-per-hour car accident can cause a serious injury. So whether you've had a severe accident or a minor collision, see a doctor. And if you don't have medical insurance, let us know and we'll make sure that you receive the proper care. 

Number Two: Write everything down.

Even if it seems small, during times of stress or injury it is common to forget the little details. Make sure you keep note of the pain that you're in. With neck, back, and head injuries, sometimes simple activities such as walking up the stairs or picking up a toddler may cause severe pain. 

You may not be sleeping well at night. Documenting how much you sleep and how often you wake up due to pain is also very important. And lastly, if you have any cuts or bruises, take daily photos as you heal. This will provide visual evidence of the injuries that you've suffered. 

Number Three: Do not speak to an insurance company until you've spoken to a lawyer.

Please understand that the insurance adjuster works for a billion-dollar corporation and not for you. Their interests are solely for their insurance company, and their goal is to provide you with the least amount of financial settlement as quickly as possible. When you do speak with them, remember they will record the conversation. Why do they do this? Because they've been trained to ask questions that may confuse you. So talk to us before you talk to them. 

So remember: See a doctor, document everything, and call us before calling the insurance company for your free private consultation. We are here for you. Real tough lawyers fighting real tough issues.

Pedestrian Laws in Boca Raton, Florida

Pedestrian laws are important, and those who walk frequently should keep them in mind. However, accidents don’t choose favorites. If a driver is driving under the influence or while distracted, they put everyone at risk–even those following the rules. However, as a pedestrian, you should still do everything possible to reduce said risk. Here are some important Florida pedestrian laws you should know and follow: 

  • “A pedestrian shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device specifically applicable to the pedestrian unless otherwise directed by a police officer.” 
  • “Where sidewalks are provided, no pedestrian shall, unless required by other circumstances, walk along and upon the portion of a roadway paved for vehicular traffic.”
  • “The driver of a vehicle at any crosswalk where signage so indicates shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross a roadway when the pedestrian is in the crosswalk or steps into the crosswalk and is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.”

Causes of Boca Raton Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents are most frequently caused by driver negligence. Negligence refers to a breach in the duty of care that drivers owe the second they get behind the wheel of their vehicle. Negligence is committed without malicious intent, meaning that they haven’t planned to hurt anyone or don’t mean to. However, many of these actions are still conscious choices, such as driving drunk or texting while driving. Drivers should know better — but unfortunately, most believe they’re untouchable and will never be the reason for an accident that hurts another person. 

Negligent acts that often cause car accidents include: 

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Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Pedestrian accidents can result in all types of injuries, ranging from mild to catastrophic. Minor injuries like cuts and bruises are relatively common, as are more medium-level injuries like breaks, fractures, and soft tissue injuries. Severe injuries, like traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and amputations, are less common but can cause the most long-term damage. 

In some cases, patients are left dealing with and treating their accident injuries for a lifetime.

Others don’t require long-term treatment but may still cause long-term issues like chronic pain. However, it can be challenging to classify injury types for this reason. It can be difficult to tell when something is going to cause long-term damage and when something is going to heal smoothly. For example, a concussion in one person could have completely different effects when compared to a concussion in another person. 

Crushing injuries are also common in pedestrian accidents, especially when the pedestrian is struck head-on, pinning them to another object or vehicle. Crushing injuries can cause internal bleeding and damage to the extremities. These injuries are incredibly serious, as they may be onset. For this reason, seeking immediate medical attention is of the utmost importance. Ignoring medical treatment can damage your case and your health. 

Types of Damages in a Boca Raton Pedestrian Accident Case

There are two main types of damages that you can recover. Economic damages are losses with a monetary value, and non-economic damages are the opposite. Economic damages most frequently include past and future medical bills, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and disfigurement and scarring. 

The amount of compensation you receive for your damages is highly personal, depending on how severe your injuries are, how long you’ll require treatment, and how much the accident and resulting injuries have affected your quality of life.

For this reason, a case evaluation is necessary to accurately estimate your cases’ value and the settlement you could receive. 

Alfred

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Quick and fair resolution to a unique case. On advice of my own attorney, I engaged Joseph Osborne of Osborne & Francis of Boca Raton, FL. Mr. Osborne had considerable experience in cases such as mine and the results showed that. Mr. Osborne and his staff were very helpful, kept me up to date, and listened to my input. The settlement was very fair as far as I am concerned.

E. Holland

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Dennis and the other Osborne & Francis staff were amazing! Our case was HUGE and required tender loving care. Everyone on our case did their part by putting all the puzzle pieces together. We were given step by step updates and put at ease when our nerves got the best of us. For every inquiry we made we received a timely response...You are appreciated!

J. Davis

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“I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer/ firm — everything was done professionally exactly how I wanted. Due to COVID my personal attorney Mr. Garcia was still able to make things work in a timely manner and he never made me feel like he wasn’t working. Overall I’m happy with how my case turned out and I would recommend him and this law firm to anyone. 100% satisfied.”

T. Andrews

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“Attorneys Greg Francis and Ryan Fletcher at Osborne & Francis Law Firm represented me in my personal injury case.The defendant drew a line in the sand and was adamant on a settlement amount I was almost willing to accept. After the dust settled and the smoke cleared, we settled for 3 times that amount!!! When they say ‘Real Tough Lawyers,’ they mean it.”

Erica F.

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"Best personal injury attorney around, I could not be happier! I was seriously injured in a car accident and Osborne and Francis helped me through the entire process. I was blown away by how knowledgeable the staff and attorneys are at this incredible law firm. I would not hesitate to recommend this law firm to friends and family!"

C. Smith

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“I am so thankful for EVERYONE, the entire staff at Osborne & Francis Law, for mentoring me through the mediation process with my hip replacement failures. I didn't realize how MUCH pressure they relieved me of by helping me deal with the reality of this traumatic time in my life, as it was OVER so quickly with a positive result. My family is grateful to have their mom HAPPY & FOCUSED on the future, rather than worrying over what happened in the past! FAST FORWARD, we are LIVING LIFE to the fullest once again!”

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Why Do I Need to Hire a Boca Raton Pedestrian Accident Attorney? 

It may seem easy to go it alone, but going through the lawsuit process without representation is no easy feat. Without help, you won’t get the same amount of compensation, and the lawsuit process will only add more stress onto your already overflowing plate.

A pedestrian accident attorney will negotiate a higher settlement on your behalf, keep your documents together, make sure you’re following your treatment plan, and file everything that needs to be filed without missing a deadline. We know how stressful the process is, but it’ll be less so with our help. 

Osborne & Francis Can Help You Get the Compensation that You Deserve for Your Boca Raton Pedestrian Accident

If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident, don’t wait to seek help. Contact our talented team of attorneys and schedule a free consultation as soon as possible. Contact us online or call us at (561) 293-2600.

Frequently Asked Questions