It is hard to beat Clermont when it comes to walkability. When you get out and about on foot, you get your steps in, do your part for the environment, and have the opportunity to enjoy our beautiful weather. When you’re walking, however, you’re also far more vulnerable to being seriously injured in a traffic accident.
If a motorist’s negligence leaves you injured in a personal injury accident, it’s in your best interest to consult with an experienced Clermont pedestrian accident lawyer at The Umansky Law Firm sooner rather than later.
When you’re walking from place to place, it’s important to recognize the risk factors involved. These include each of the following:
When you are walking, there are important safety tips to keep in mind, like walking on the sidewalk when one is available. Additionally, if you cross the street outside of a crosswalk, including when there isn’t one, you’re required to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic.
Further, you should always obey traffic lights and signs and should only cross the street at crosswalks whenever possible. Finally, always check traffic from every direction, including those motorists who might be turning, before crossing the road.
There are also some things you should never do when you are on foot, like crossing the street between two parked cars and ignoring your surroundings. Pedestrian distraction can be as dangerous as driver distraction. Our Clermont pedestrian accident lawyer can determine if you held any fault for an incident.
Drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks. Motorists are also required to obey the rules of the road, to avoid distractions, and to make the necessary accommodations in response to low visibility and bad weather. These accommodations include slowing down and proceeding with utmost caution. Drivers are ultimately responsible for scoping out pedestrians and for being prepared to safely accommodate them in response.
In Florida, the term crosswalk applies to every side of every intersection, other than any that have been closed by the state or local government. The crosswalk doesn’t have to be marked, and the adjacent sidewalk needn’t be paved for it to qualify as a crosswalk.
This means that if you are a pedestrian who is crossing between two opposite corners, you have the right-of-way unless a traffic light says otherwise. However, you’re always advised to check the traffic all around you before proceeding. As a pedestrian, you’re too vulnerable to injury not to take this precaution.
The losses you experience as a result of a pedestrian accident in Clermont are very likely to be steep. To recover compensation for your full range of damages, you’ll need to prove legal elements of negligence. This begins with proving the driver failed to live up to the duty of care they owed you. For example, if you were obeying the pedestrian signal at a crosswalk, you had the right-of-way, which speaks to the motorist’s fault in the matter.
You must show the driver’s negligence was the direct cause of the accident and you suffered legal damages as a result. These physical, financial, and emotional losses can include medical expenses, lost income, and physical and emotional pain and suffering.
You can trust your pedestrian accident attorney to take the steps necessary to build a solid claim that supports a fair settlement on your behalf.
A Clermont pedestrian accident lawyer at The Umansky Law Firm is well prepared to unleash the full force of their impressive experience and legal skill on your behalf and your recovery. We are on your side and here to help, so please do not delay contacting us online or giving us a call today.
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