Pensacola Crosswalk Accident Attorney

At Staples, Ellis + Associates, P.A., where we serve clients in Pensacola and throughout the Florida Panhandle, our attorneys are painfully aware that a crosswalk accident, like so many other types of traffic accidents, occurs much too frequently. In spite of the fact that crosswalks are designed to give pedestrians a safe place to walk, 25 percent of pedestrian accidents occur at intersections, many in the crosswalks themselves. 

If you have been through the trauma of a crosswalk accident and suffered a serious or catastrophic injury, it is likely a negligent driver was at fault. If so, our crosswalk accident attorneys are here to help. Contact us soon so we can assess the viability of your case and begin fighting to see that you receive the substantial compensation you deserve.

Causes of Crosswalk Accidents 

There are multiple reasons that crosswalk accidents occur, including:

  • Driver’s failure to yield to pedestrians
  • Driver’s focus on making a left-hand turn against traffic
  • Driver’s distraction by GPS, texting, phone calls, eating/drinking, a child in the car
  • Driver’s extreme fatigue or sleepiness
  • Speeding, which not only increases the time it takes to stop, but also increases the risk of serious or fatal injuries if a collision occurs
  • Driver’s impairment by alcohol or drugs

External factors, like those listed below, can also contribute to a crosswalk accident:

  • Poor lighting (the vast majority of such accidents occur at dusk or in darkness)
  • Bad weather conditions (icy, windy, rainy, snowy, foggy)
  • Extreme sun glare just after sunrise or just before sunset
  • Broken traffic signals or walk signals that are timed improperly
  • Obstructive debris on the crosswalk or roadway
  • Malfunctioning automotive equipment 

These factors will not prevent our sharp crosswalk attorneys from fighting for your rights. In some cases they may simply provide an additional defendant like, for example the government agency responsible for road maintenance or the car manufacturer of a defective product.

Who is most at risk of being harmed in a crosswalk accident?

As in so many accidents, the most vulnerable people are often the victims. Those more at risk of injury in a crosswalk accident include:

  • Children under the age or 15 
  • Adults over the age of 65
  • Individuals in wheelchairs 
  • People who are inebriated or high on drugs

In discussing risk factors for crosswalk accidents, it should be noted that nearly half of all fatal pedestrian accidents involve alcohol consumption by the driver, the pedestrian, or both.

Crosswalk Accidents Can Result in Extremely Serious Injuries

Because in pedestrian accidents victims are not protected by the metal enclosure of a car, they are much more likely to suffer severe injury or wrongful death. Our experienced crosswalk accident attorneys are well-prepared to fight for you if you are facing an extended recovery, long-term care, or permanent disability due to:

Any of these or other serious injuries are likely to be life-altering, resulting in enormous costs — physically, emotionally, and financially. Because we know the hardship you are facing, Staples, Ellis + Associates will charge you no attorneys’ fees until we win you the compensation you deserve.

We Will Fight Aggressively to Win the Damages You Are Entitled to Receive

We can’t undo the harm that you have suffered in the crosswalk accident, but we can and will work tirelessly to recover damages for:

  • Medical costs
  • Lost income, present and future
  • Psychological counseling
  • Permanent scarring or other disfigurement
  • Loss of consortium
  • Permanent disability
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Funeral expenses and loss of financial/emotional support (in cases of wrongful death)

If the driver’s behavior was especially egregious, we may be able to persuade the court to award you punitive damages as well.

Why You Need Our Experienced Crosswalk Accident Attorney to See You Through

We have an excellent track record as a personal injury legal team, having won millions of dollars for our clients over our years in practice. We will take the following steps to make sure you have the best possible outcome to your case:

  • Investigate the circumstances of the accident thoroughly
  • Closely examine the police report and your medical records
  • Interview any witnesses
  • Confer with experts, medical and otherwise, who may testify on your behalf

Most of all, we will be on your side no matter what. 

Florida is a Pure Comparative Fault State

What this means is that even if you are found to bear partial responsibility for your own injury, you are still entitled to damages, and our sharp attorneys will fight to see that you receive them. If, for example, at the time of the accident, you were not walking within the lines of the designated crosswalk, were walking against the light or walk signal, or were under the influence of alcohol or drugs, we will still fight vigorously to obtain the compensation you need to restart your life.

You should be aware, however, that the court will evaluate your percentage of liability and deduct that percentage from your settlement. So, if your court award is $100,000 and you are found to be 25 percent at fault for the accident, you will receive $75,000. Fortunately for you, Florida is one of only 13 pure comparative fault states in which we can recover for you even if you are found to be as much as 99 percent responsible for the accident.

Contact Our Experienced Crosswalk Accident Attorneys Today

Whether you are suffering a disabling injury due to a crosswalk accident, or experiencing the anguish of having lost a loved one in this terrible way, our law team is ready to offer you compassion as well as skilled legal representation. As soon as you get in touch with us, we will take up your cause and begin seeking justice for you and your family.

The Crosswalk Accident Attorneys at Staples, Ellis & Associates serves clients in Pensacola County, Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, Okaloosa County, Walton County, and throughout Northwest Florida.