Bonita Springs Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Bonita Springs is a very walkable city, particularly the downtown area. Still, pedestrians have to navigate parking lots, intersections, and other areas occupied by motorists. Sadly, when pedestrians are out walking, they are always at risk. Drivers do not always respect pedestrians, or their rights, as they share the roadways with them. Some motorists even become aggressive towards pedestrians. This results in pedestrians sustaining serious injuries when they were simply trying to get some exercise, or run some errands. If you have been injured, our Bonita Springs pedestrian accident lawyer can help you make things right.
What Causes Pedestrian Accidents in Bonita Springs?
The vast majority of pedestrian accidents in Bonita Springs are caused by negligent, or careless, drivers. As such, these crashes are also usually entirely preventable. A number of negligent acts on the part of drivers can cause a pedestrian accident, but the most common of them are as follows:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Failing to yield or stop
- Improper left turns
- Improperly reversing a vehicle
- Failing to comply with traffic laws, signs, and signals
- Failure to yield
- Aggressive drivers
- Reckless drivers
Are Drivers Always at Fault for Pedestrian Accidents?
It is a misconception that drivers are always at fault for pedestrian accidents. This seems like a safe assumption given that the majority of these crashes are caused by negligent drivers. However, it is not true. Pedestrians can sometimes cause an accident, or contribute to one. When that is the case, it has a significant effect on the amount of damages a pedestrian will receive.
Just like drivers, pedestrians must know and comply with certain laws and the rules of the road. When pedestrians lawfully cross a street using a crosswalk, whether it is marked or unmarked, they are unlikely to be found at fault for a crash. However, when pedestrians move outside of these crosswalks, particularly when they are crossing the street, they risk being found at least partly liable for causing an accident.
For example, a person may dart out into traffic without first looking to make sure the roadway was clear. If a motorist did not have time to stop and crashed into the pedestrian, the person on foot would likely be found at least partly to blame for the accident. Even in this example, pedestrians are not automatically barred from obtaining any compensation at all. If the motorist was speeding, they may have been able to avoid hitting the pedestrian.
When both parties are to blame for an accident, they are each assigned a percentage of fault. The party who holds the least amount of blame can file a claim for compensation to cover their losses. However, the damages they receive will be reduced by their same percentage of fault.
Hurt in a Crash? Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Bonita Springs Can Help
If you have been injured, our Bonita Springs pedestrian accident lawyer at Cardinal Law can help you through this difficult time. Call us today at 239-610-0845 or chat with us online to request a free consultation and to get the legal help you need.
