This is why families need an Orlando pedestrian accident attorney after a crash: A retired teacher in Oakland was crossing in a crosswalk. She was on her way to meet a friend for coffee. A car hit her. She flew several feet. She broke her hip. She broke her elbow too. She spent a week in the hospital. Then she spent a month in rehab. She was 73 years old. Her story was told by The New York Times. It is not rare. The same thing happens here in Florida. A car hitting an older adult often does more harm. Healing can take a long time.
Why Older Adults Get Hurt More Badly
Cars do not hit older walkers more often. But when hit, they are more likely to die. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracks this. In 2022, older adults were 17% of the U.S. But they were 22% of walker deaths. Bones get thin with age. Healing slows down too. A break that heals fast in a young adult can take months in an older adult. Some need a new hip. Some never walk the same way again.
A few things put older walkers at more risk:
- Slower steps, which leave less time to cross before the light changes.
- A harder time judging how fast a car is coming.
- Thin bones, which turn small crashes into big injuries.
- Trouble hearing or seeing a car that is turning.
Why So Many Crashes Happen at Intersections
Most of these crashes happen at or near a corner. Often, a driver turns left and does not see a walker. Central Florida has many wide roads. An older walker may be only halfway across when the light changes. That leaves them stuck in traffic. Speeding and texting make it worse. So does a driver who does not expect a slow walker. An Orlando pedestrian accident attorney handles more than crashes between two cars. This lawyer helps walkers too, and their families, after a driver hits someone on foot. When a crash ends in death, the family may ask about a wrongful death claim. This can pay for funeral costs and lost pay. It also holds the driver at fault.
How an Orlando Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help
Most walker crashes involve a car. So Orlando car accident attorneys often handle these cases too. Bills add up fast after a crash like this. There are ambulance rides, surgery, and months of care. Insurers often try to settle fast. They may offer less than a case is worth. This happens a lot with older victims. They often face a long road back to health. An Orlando pedestrian accident attorney can get police reports and medical charts. The attorney can also ask doctors about future costs. Then the attorney can push back on the insurance firm. That way, the victim pays fewer bills that are not their fault.
If you or a loved one got hurt while walking, try these steps:
- See a doctor right away, even if you feel fine at first.
- Do not give a taped statement to the other driver’s insurance firm.
- Keep medical bills, photos of the crash site, and any witness names.
- Talk to a lawyer before you take any offer.
A personal injury claim can feel like a lot while you heal. A good legal team can handle the forms and deadlines. That way, you and your family can focus on getting well. You will not have to fight an insurance firm alone. Every family deserves clear answers after a crash.
Call 407-846-2240 for a free consultation with an Orlando pedestrian accident attorney at the Martinez Manglardi personal injury law firm. Convenient locations throughout Central Florida, including Orlando, Kissimmee, Apopka, Palm Bay, Ocala, Haines City, and Davenport.
