Trusted pedestrian accident attorneys with over 10 years of experience.
The Andres Lopez Law Firm has been representing pedestrian accident victims across South Florida for over a decade. Our Parkland, FL pedestrian accident lawyer investigates these crashes thoroughly, identifies every source of liability and available insurance coverage, and fights for compensation that accounts for the full cost of recovery and the lasting impact on your life. We serve clients in English and Spanish, and consultations with our team are always free.
Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Parkland, FL
What makes pedestrian accident claims different from other vehicle crash cases?
Pedestrian accidents typically result in more serious injuries than car-on-car collisions, which means higher medical costs, longer recovery periods, and a greater likelihood of permanent disability. From a legal standpoint, these cases also present challenges because insurance companies frequently try to blame the pedestrian. They argue the pedestrian was jaywalking, looking at their phone, wearing dark clothing, or crossing outside a marked crosswalk.
A pedestrian accident attorney in Parkland responds with evidence like surveillance footage, traffic signal timing records, witness accounts, and crash reconstruction analysis that proves the driver was negligent. Florida law imposes specific duties on drivers when pedestrians are present, but those statutory protections only matter if someone holds the driver accountable for violating them, and that is where an attorney makes the difference.
Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle in Parkland
Pedestrians can be struck in many different situations. Our firm handles the following types of pedestrian accident claims.
- Crosswalk accidents. Drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians at marked crosswalks violate Florida law. Fault determination depends on whether the pedestrian was in a designated crossing area and whether the driver had an opportunity to stop.
- Parking lot accidents. Low-speed collisions in parking lots still cause serious injuries, particularly when a driver backing out of a space does not check for pedestrians.
- School zone pedestrian crashes. With several schools in and around Parkland, school zone accidents pose a serious risk to children and parents during morning and afternoon travel times. It is possible for both to be injured by vehicles either in a crosswalk, parking lot, or even a sidewalk.
- Nighttime pedestrian accidents. Reduced visibility makes evening walking more dangerous, but drivers still have a legal obligation to use headlights and watch for people on foot.
- Car accidents. When a car strikes a pedestrian, the driver’s liability insurance is typically the primary source of compensation. Cars may directly strike pedestrians causing life-changing injuries due to the little protections pedestrians might have in place compared to a metal vehicle.
- Truck accidents. Commercial vehicles have extensive blind spots that make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians during turns and near loading areas. They may hit pedestrians going at a fast speed, or they might clip them when slowly making turns.
- Hit-and-run pedestrian crashes. When a driver flees after striking a pedestrian, our firm works with police and reviews surveillance footage to locate the responsible party.
- Wrongful death. Fatal pedestrian accidents are among the most devastating cases we handle, and Florida’s wrongful death statute allows surviving family members to recover damages.
Why Choose The Andres Lopez Law Firm for Pedestrian Accident Cases in Parkland, FL?
Local Knowledge and a Record of Results
Pedestrian claims require an attorney who knows the local roads, Broward County insurer behavior, and the Florida statutes that protect people on foot. Parkland’s residential layout creates situations where pedestrians and vehicles interact regularly, particularly along corridors connecting neighborhoods to schools, parks, and commercial areas. Insurance adjusters who handle Broward County claims are familiar with these roads, and they use their familiarity to construct arguments about pedestrian behavior. You need an attorney who knows those same roads and can rebut those arguments with evidence.
Founder Andres Lopez has practiced personal injury law in Florida since 2009 and has over 10 years of experience with pedestrian collision claims. He graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law, holds bar admissions in Florida, Maryland, the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, and the Eleventh Circuit. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star and is a Million Dollar Advocates Forum member.
Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for personal injury clients on contingency. For a personal injury lawyer in Parkland, FL who will fight for you, contact our office.
Understanding Pedestrian Accident Cases
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Cases
Pedestrian injuries range from broken bones and lacerations to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and amputations. The medical costs can be enormous, and when injuries are permanent, damages must account for decades of future care, lost earning capacity, and ongoing effects on quality of life. Compensation in a Parkland pedestrian accident case may include all past and current medical expenses, projected future treatment and rehabilitation, lost wages and diminished earning potential, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
When a pedestrian suffers back and spine injuries, the treatment often extends well beyond the initial hospitalization and may involve spinal fusion surgery, months of physical therapy, and permanent activity restrictions that prevent the victim from returning to their previous occupation. These long-term consequences must be accounted for in any damages demand.
Liability depends on which party acted negligently. Florida’s modified comparative fault system under Fla. Stat. § 768.81 bars recovery if the pedestrian’s share of fault exceeds 50 percent, and reduces it proportionally below that threshold. According to NHTSA data, pedestrian fatalities account for a significant percentage of all traffic deaths nationally, which underscores how dangerous these collisions are for people on foot.
Important Aspects in Your Pedestrian Accident Case
There are several steps you should take as early as possible. Call 911 and ensure a police report is created. Photograph the scene including the vehicle, your location, traffic signs, crosswalk markings, and your injuries. Get contact details from witnesses. See a doctor the same day, because internal injuries and concussions are common in pedestrian collisions and may not produce symptoms immediately. Avoid posting about the accident or your injuries on social media, because adjusters review online activity looking for anything they can use against your claim. Keep a written record of how the injuries are affecting your daily routine, your ability to work, and your sleep and mood, because those details support the non-economic damages portion of your claim.
Pedestrian Accident Case Timeline
Medical treatment is the first priority, and your attorney starts the investigation simultaneously. Over the first one to three months, evidence is compiled including surveillance footage, traffic signal data, witness statements, and medical records. When your doctors determine you have reached maximum medical improvement, the full scope of damages is calculated and a demand is presented to the insurer. If the offer falls short, a lawsuit is filed within the two-year statute of limitations. Cases that proceed to litigation involve additional months of discovery, depositions, and preparation before trial, and your attorney handles all of those steps on your behalf. The timeline varies, but pedestrian cases involving severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage tend to take longer because the full medical picture must be established before a meaningful demand can be made.
What to Bring to Your Pedestrian Accident Consultation
Bring the police report, photographs of the scene and injuries, medical records and bills, insurance documents, and witness contact information. If you were wearing a fitness tracker, smartwatch, or had a phone that recorded your walking route, bring that information as well, because GPS and activity data can help establish your location and movement at the time of the collision. Consultations with The Andres Lopez Law Firm are free and carry no obligation.
Florida Legal Resources for Pedestrian Accident Cases
The following resources provide information about Florida pedestrian laws and crash data.
- Florida Statute § 316.130 covers pedestrian traffic regulations including crosswalk rules
- The Florida DHSMV publishes crash statistics including pedestrian-involved collisions
- NHTSA’s pedestrian safety page provides national crash data
- The Broward County Clerk of Courts maintains civil lawsuit records
- The CDC offers statistics on pedestrian crash injuries
Reach Out to The Andres Lopez Law Firm to Schedule a Consultation
If you were struck by a vehicle while walking in Parkland, FL, The Andres Lopez Law Firm is here to help. We handle pedestrian accident claims on contingency and provide free case evaluations. Contact a pedestrian accident attorney in Parkland at our firm to discuss your legal options and begin pursuing the compensation you need to recover.