University of South Florida Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

University of South Florida in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Whittel & Melton

The University of South Florida is in the Tampa Bay area, with campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota that serve more than 50,000 students. USF has 13 colleges and has been named by U.S. News and World Report’s (U.S. News) 2022 Best Colleges rankings as the fastest rising University in the nation.

If you or a close relative have suffered serious injuries or even death as a pedestrian, our experienced University of South Florida Pedestrian Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can help you recognize your rights and how to successfully recover financial compensation through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

Pedestrian deaths are a serious problem in the state of Florida – in fact, the Sunshine State is ranked No. 2 in the nation for the most dangerous states for pedestrians from 2016-2021. The St. Petersburg-Tampa-Clearwater metro area is ranked No. 4 in the top 20 most dangerous places in the nation for pedestrians. Sadly, the numbers in all metropolitan areas on Smart Growth America’s Top 20 show that pedestrian fatalities are on the rise. Likewise, the Governors Highway Safety Association released a report in May of 2022 showing pedestrian deaths across the U.S. have reached their highest level in 40 years. They estimated that 7,485 people on foot were killed in traffic fatalities in 2021, which breaks down to 20 deaths a day.

To speak with our skilled University of South Florida Pedestrian Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton today, call us at 813-221-3200 or 727-823-0000 or contact us online. We can begin helping you right away.

Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen?

Accidents involving pedestrians can happen for numerous reasons. Most of the time accidents occur because a motorist engages in other negligent behaviors, such as texting, talking on the phone, applying makeup, eating, or fiddling with radio dials, instead of focuses on driving. Other times, accidents happen when a motorist fails to keep an eye out for pedestrians in a crosswalk or does not obey stop signs or other traffic devices. Drunk driving, speeding or trying to pass a school bus with a stop sign extended are also common examples of why pedestrian accidents occur.

What Are Road Safety Rules for Pedestrians?

Florida has established laws that govern the behavior of motorists and pedestrians alike to help avoid unnecessary pedestrian crashes. Pedestrians must obey all traffic signals and cross streets only when they are instructed it is safe to do so. If you are travelling by foot then you should avoid stepping off a curb suddenly and yield to motorists when there is a DO NOT WALK sign flashing, although if that sign flashes once you have already started walking then you can continue through the intersection.

Many college students have an active night life, so if you are heading out on foot then it is best to wear bright colors so that you can have better visibility to drivers. You should walk in well-lit areas and avoid being on your cell phone in congested traffic areas. It is best to avoid walking while drunk or high as this can impair your vision and ability to walk safely.

Motorists must also do their part to mitigate unnecessary pedestrian collisions. Drivers are expected to:

• Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks when there are no traffic lights
• Yield to pedestrians when a green walk sign is flashing
• NOT PASS other vehicles at crosswalks

Even when following the rules, pedestrian accidents and injuries can still happen. If you have been injured or if you have a lost a loved one due to the actions of a negligent drivers, then you need to contact our University of South Florida Pedestrian Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton to initiate a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

Your first priorities after a pedestrian accident should be seeking medical care and then reviewing your legal options.

How Do I Prove Fault in My Pedestrian Accident Case?

When you choose to pursue a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against a negligent driver, then the burden of proof lies with you and your attorney to prove that the individual you have named is at fault.

Our University of South Florida Pedestrian Accident Attorneys will help you meet that burden of proof by gathering the official police report, medical records, witness statements, and any other key pieces of evidence that will help prove your claim to a judge and jury.

At Whittel & Melton, our legal team works with medical experts, accident reconstruction specialists, financial experts, accident forensic scientists, and other professionals who can help demonstrate how your pedestrian accident happened and why.

Car accident insurance companies do everything they can to not compensate car accident victims for the pain and suffering they have endured. We know the games these companies play and will fight aggressively to bring a successful lawsuit so that you are fairly compensated for all of your losses.

How Can a University of South Florida Pedestrian Accident Injury Attorney at Whittel & Melton Help Me?

If you or a family member was harmed while on foot on the streets of St. Petersburg, then we can advise you on your rights and how you should move forward with a claim.

We proudly help walkers, runners, bikers, skateboarders, rollerbladers, and others pursue personal injury claims involving:

• Children who were hit by cars while crossing the street
• Students who were struck by a motor vehicle while crossing the street
• Traumatic brain injuries from pedestrian vs. car accidents
• Back and neck injuries from pedestrian vs. car accidents
• Spinal cord injuries from pedestrian vs. car accidents
• Soft tissue injuries and internal bleeding from pedestrian vs. car accidents
• Wrongful death from pedestrian vs. car accidents
• Walkers, runners, bicyclists, those travelling by scooter, etc. who were injured on or near the USF campus by distracted drivers on their cell phone

Let us help you today.

Call us now at 813-221-3200 or 727-823-0000 or contact us online for a completely free consultation.