If you have been struck by a car while on foot, there are several things you should know right away. According to Personal Injury Attorney Matthew Waring, there are 4 issues to be aware of if you have been injured in Broward County by a vehicle while on foot.
(1) You may be eligible for Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits.
Under Florida law, pedestrians and bicyclists are entitled to PIP benefits. If you had car insurance at the time of the accident, you may qualify for PIP benefits through your own insurance. If you did not have PIP benefits at the time of the accident, then you may qualify for PIP benefits through the other driver’s insurance. Speak with an attorney soon after the accident regarding available PIP coverages.
(2) You may be eligible for your own uninsured/underinsured motorist benefits.
If you had car insurance at the time of the accident, and you were struck by a car while you were on foot through no fault of your own, then you may make a claim against your own insurance company for uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) benefits. Your UM benefits will apply after you have recovered the at-fault driver’s bodily injury coverage limits. Speak with an attorney who can help you determine whether you purchased the add-on UM coverage.
(3) Be sure to speak with the police to provide a statement after the accident.
Pedestrian accidents can be severe. If you are struck by a car while on foot, there is a strong chance that an ambulance took you right to the hospital from the accident scene and you didn’t get a chance to tell anyone what happened. Police investigators will likely question the at-fault driver and any witnesses at the scene. Since you most likely weren’t at the scene due to your injuries, the at-fault driver may not tell the story accurately and you may be placed at fault. Once you are in a position to tell your side of the story, you should speak with the police about the accident before they publish the traffic accident report. You usually only have a few days. You should speak with a lawyer about your rights concerning police reports.
(4) Even if you were jaywalking, you might still have a personal injury claim against the car that hit you.
Even if you were jaywalking or not paying attention before you were struck, you may still be entitled to compensation from the at-fault driver. Speak with a knowledgeable Florida attorney to explore your options in the event you were at majority fault for the accident.
Matthew Waring is an experienced personal injury attorney who gives his clients his full commitment to recovering compensation on their behalf. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident in South Florida, call Waring Law today at 954-388-0646 for a free consultation.