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There are a variety of transportation options for people to choose from when it comes to traveling around town. Some people choose to ride bikes to their final destinations, while others decide to walk to where they need to go. Walking, much like bike riding, can be both cost efficient and a good means of exercise for many individuals; however, your Fort Myers personal injury attorney will tell you that more and more pedestrians are losing their lives in traffic accidents every year. 

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, statistics show that pedestrian fatalities have increased in recent years and thousands of pedestrians have been injured in auto accidents. That said, it is imperative for pedestrians to know their rights under the law should they be involved in motor vehicle accidents. Under Florida law, individuals who operate motor vehicles have a duty to remain watchful for pedestrians, and those who fail to do so should be held responsible for any injuries incurred.

People who drive automobiles are expected and required to operate their vehicles in a careful manner. What that means is that drivers should not only be careful while driving on the roadways and interacting with other vehicles, but they should be especially careful when approaching and driving by pedestrians. If a driver decides to speed or drive recklessly, or if he or she breaks the law and fails to yield to a pedestrian, the driver might be held legally responsible if an accident occurs.

Liability can also be imposed against a driver who fails to use caution in certain areas where children are present, such as around playgrounds and in school zones. Young accident victims enjoy certain rights under the law just as adults do; therefore, any accident that occurs with a child pedestrian can result in that driver being found to be at fault for the accident.

The Possible Injuries That Pedestrians Might Suffer

The types of injuries that pedestrians can incur in traffic accidents can be quite serious and even life threatening. Pedestrians do not enjoy any of the safety features that are often provided by motor vehicles. That being the case, your Fort Myers personal injury attorney will tell you that pedestrians can suffer broken bones, amputation and/or disfigurement, head and brain injuries and injuries to the back and spine.

Without a doubt, automobiles pose a very real danger to pedestrians, but individuals should be aware that there are laws in place to protect them. Motor vehicle operators who injure pedestrians can be held responsible under the law to pay for the victims' medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and emotional distress, among other things.

Any pedestrian who has been injured in an automobile accident or any other type of traffic accident should contact a Fort Myers personal injury attorney at the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., as soon as possible to discuss the particulars of the case. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve and ensure that your case is handled properly and in a timely manner.