A recent Slate Magazine Podcast focused on the rising rate of pedestrian injury in America, and experts say that Florida has the third-highest pedestrian traffic fatality rate in the country. These pedestrian accidents can have devastating consequences for victims, resulting in significant financial and non-financial losses. Pedestrian accident victims need to understand their rights and find the best way to receive the compensation they deserve. If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, talk to an Orlando car accident attorney at the Martinez Manglardi personal injury law firm. Call 407-846-2240 for a free consultation.
Pedestrian Injury Compensation
For many pedestrian injury victims, recovering their financial damages is their immediate concern. Serious injuries can lead to immediate financial consequences, such as medical bills and lost earnings. Fortunately, under Florida law, if a negligent driver or another party is responsible for the injuries, victims are entitled to just compensation for their financial losses. Let’s take a closer look at the steps involved in calculating the most common types of financial damages:
1. Past Medical Bills
As a pedestrian injury victim in Florida, you are entitled to compensation for your medical bills from the moment you were injured until you fully recover. Calculating your past medical bills involves adding up your receipts and any outstanding medical bills. It is advisable to keep track of your receipts and unpaid bills, as they will be essential for calculating your damages accurately.
2. Future Medical Bills
Calculating compensation for future medical bills is more challenging. It requires understanding your long-term medical needs and forecasting the costs of your future care. Your lawyer will work closely with your healthcare providers to ensure that they accurately assess your ongoing medical needs and seek full compensation for your future medical expenses.
3. Other Past and Future Out-of-Pocket Costs
Aside from medical bills, you are also entitled to compensation for other out-of-pocket costs related to the accident. This may include expenses for prescriptions, medical supplies, transportation, as well as necessary services like housecleaning, landscaping, and childcare. Your lawyer will gather your receipts and account statements to determine your past costs and forecast your future expenses based on the long-term effects of your injuries.
4. Loss of Income and Benefits
If the pedestrian injury has caused you to lose income and benefits, you are entitled to compensation for these losses. Your lawyer will use your pay stubs and documentation from your employer to demonstrate the financial impact of the accident on your earnings. It is important to work with an experienced lawyer who can accurately calculate the total damages owed, especially if you rely on tips or commissions.
5. Loss of Earning Capacity
Calculating the loss of earning capacity presents additional challenges. Your lawyer must consider factors such as the duration of your absence from work, the possibility of returning to work part-time or in a limited capacity, and the potential raises and promotions you would have received over your lifetime. These complex calculations require a thorough understanding of your individual circumstances to ensure effective legal representation.
Improving pedestrian safety requires a collective effort from all road users. Both drivers and pedestrians must exercise patience, follow traffic laws, and prioritize caution on the roads. Heightened traffic enforcement and ongoing initiatives are essential, but fostering a culture of road safety is crucial for preventing pedestrian accidents and reducing fatalities.
You might be able to receive the money you deserve and recover your losses with the assistance of an Orlando pedestrian injury lawyer. For a free consultation with a personal injury attorney at the Martinez Manglardi law firm, call 407-846-2240. Convenient locations across Central Florida.
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