Fighting for Injured Pedestrians and Their Families Across Escambia County
Pedestrian accidents often leave victims with catastrophic injuries because a person on foot has no protection from a moving vehicle. At Staples Law Group, P.A., we represent people hurt in pedestrian accidents throughout Pensacola and Escambia County. Our Pensacola personal injury lawyer investigates how the crash happened, gathers the evidence that proves the driver was at fault, and pursues full compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. If a careless driver injured you or a loved one, we are ready to take on the insurance company and fight for the recovery you deserve.
Why Choose Staples Law Group, P.A.?
After a pedestrian crash, you’re dealing with painful injuries, medical bills, and an insurer already working to pay you as little as possible. The right firm levels that fight. We offer:
- More than 50 years representing injured people in Pensacola and across Northwest Florida
- Doctors and nurses on staff who review your records and connect us with medical experts nationwide, so the full extent of your injuries is documented
- The personal attention of a smaller firm, backed by the experience and resources to take on major insurers
- No attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you
- Free consultations, and an attorney who keeps you informed at every stage
From your first call to the resolution of your claim, you work directly with an experienced attorney who knows the local courts and the insurers on the other side. Let our team handle the insurance company while you focus on getting better.
Who Is Liable for a Pensacola Pedestrian Accident?
Liability usually turns on whether a driver acted carelessly. Florida law requires every driver to use due care to avoid hitting a pedestrian. At intersections and crosswalks, drivers must yield to people who are crossing the road. A driver who speeds, runs a red light, turns without looking, or stares at a phone can be held responsible for the harm they cause.
Pedestrians have duties too. A person crossing outside a crosswalk must yield to traffic, and no one should step off a curb into the path of a car that is too close to stop. Even so, sharing some blame does not end your case. We investigate the crash and gather video, witness statements, and police reports to build a clear picture of what the driver did wrong.
Drivers are not always the only ones at fault. A company whose employee was driving for work may also share responsibility for your injuries.
How Much Is My Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
The value of a pedestrian accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, your lost income, and how the crash affects your daily life. Serious injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, or spinal damage often lead to large medical bills and long recoveries.
You can recover economic damages for financial losses such as medical bills, loss of income, out-of-pocket expenses, and diminished earning capacity. Florida is a no-fault state. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays a portion of your medical bills and lost income regardless of fault. When your losses go beyond what PIP covers, you can pursue the rest of your economic damages from the at-fault driver.
Florida’s no-fault law sets a standard for recovering pain and suffering (non-economic damages) after a crash involving a motor vehicle. You may seek non-economic damages when your injury involves:
- A significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function
- A permanent injury confirmed within a reasonable degree of medical probability
- Significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Death
Many pedestrian injuries are severe enough to meet that standard. We work with your medical providers to document the full extent of your losses and push back when an insurer tries to undervalue your claim.
What Is the Deadline to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim in Florida?
In most cases, Florida gives you two years from the date of a pedestrian accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline applies to accidents that happened on or after March 24, 2023. If a pedestrian dies from the accident, the family generally has two years from the date of death to bring a wrongful death claim. Missing the deadline usually means losing your right to recover anything.
There are limited exceptions, so the safest step is to speak with an attorney soon after the accident. Evidence like surveillance video, skid marks, and witness memories fades fast, and an early start helps protect your claim.
Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Partly at Fault?
Yes, in many cases. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can still recover damages as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault for the accident. Your compensation is then reduced by your share of the blame. For example, if your damages are $100,000 and you are found 20 percent at fault, you would recover $80,000. If you are found more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover damages.
Insurance companies know this rule and often try to pin extra blame on the injured pedestrian. We push back with evidence that shows what the driver did wrong, so you are not unfairly blamed.
What to Expect When You Contact Staples Law
When you reach out to Staples Law Group, P.A., you speak with a team that understands Florida injury law and the local Pensacola courts. We start with a free consultation to explain your options. If we take your case, we handle it on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fee unless we recover for you.
From there, we investigate the crash, preserve evidence, and handle the insurance companies so you can focus on healing. We keep you updated through settlement talks or trial if the insurer will not offer a fair amount.
Talk to a Pensacola Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
If a driver hurt you or someone you love while walking in Pensacola, do not wait to get help. Florida’s deadlines are strict, and evidence disappears quickly. Contact Staples Law Group, P.A. today for a free consultation. We will review your case, explain your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve. You pay nothing unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a pedestrian accident in Pensacola?
Get medical care right away, even if you feel okay, because some injuries appear hours or days later. If you can, call the police, take photos of the scene and the vehicle, and collect contact information from the driver and any witnesses. Then speak with an attorney before giving a recorded statement to an insurance company.
Does it matter if I was crossing outside a crosswalk?
It can affect your case, but it does not automatically bar you from recovering. A pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk must yield to traffic, which may shift some fault onto you. Because Florida uses modified comparative negligence, you can still recover as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault. We work to show how the driver’s carelessness caused the crash.
Who pays my medical bills after a pedestrian accident?
Several sources may apply, including the at-fault driver’s insurance and your own auto or health coverage. Florida’s insurance rules can be complicated, especially for people injured on foot. We review every policy that might apply to your accident so you are not left paying out of pocket for someone else’s mistake.