Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Seeking Real Justice for Clients in Starke, Bradford County & North Florida
If you’ve been hit by a car as a pedestrian, you need to be able to focus on your recovery. Our Starke pedestrian accident lawyers understand how devastating collisions can be for pedestrians and their families. While you heal, we’ll handle your claim and pursue Real Justice on your behalf.
Pedestrian accidents can have terrible physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Although Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance may cover some of your losses, you will need to bring a claim against the at-fault driver to recover maximum compensation for serious injuries. Our dedicated and determined team can provide the guidance you need to get through this and move toward a brighter future.
Our attorneys have achieved Real Results for clients through settlements and at trial, with more than $1 billion in recoveries. A pedestrian injury lawyer can be an ally throughout this process, providing you with Real Advocacy, especially if the insurance company isn’t treating you fairly.
Learn how our Starke pedestrian accident lawyers can help you seek the compensation you are due. For a FREE consultation, call Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers at 904-758-1111 or contact us online. We proudly represent clients throughout Bradford County and North Florida.
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Why Choose Us?
When you’re facing one of the toughest moments of your life, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a trusted ally who will stand with you and fight for your rights.
What To Do After a Pedestrian Accident
Being struck by a vehicle can leave you hurt, shocked, and confused. Serious injuries can make it difficult to think clearly or act in your own best interest. Fortunately, there are steps you can take right away to preserve your well-being and your legal rights.
Here is what you should do after a pedestrian accident in or around Starke:
1. Call 911 ASAP
You need to call 911 right away if you or anyone else is injured in the accident. In addition to first responders, a police officer (likely from the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office) should arrive on site to investigate.
2. Seek Medical Attention
Paramedics can provide first aid and determine whether you need to be taken to the hospital. Even if they clear you and/or you don’t feel too hurt, you should still get to the emergency room without delay. Local facilities such as HCA Florida Starke Emergency have the technology and resources to diagnose and treat pedestrian injuries.
3. Collect Evidence at the Scene
Take pictures of the vehicle that hit you, your injuries, and conditions at the scene. You should also speak with witnesses who saw the accident and get their contact information. Finally, you need to cooperate with the police and ask how you can get a copy of the accident report; for example, crash reports can be requested online from the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office.
4. Get the Driver’s Information
You will need to get the name of the driver, as well as their contact information and insurance coverage. Try to remain calm when speaking with them, as flaring tempers can make a bad situation worse.
5. Speak to a Pedestrian Injury Attorney in Starke, FL
The lawyer you choose should know the local area and where pedestrians are most at risk. Your attorney should be well-versed in the Florida legal system and able to advocate for the outcome you deserve. Contact Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers for FREE today to schedule your no-obligation consultation.
– you are in good hands!
How Much Does a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Cost?
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we take cases on a contingency basis. You pay nothing up front, and your responsibility for fees is contingent on the result we achieve. You only pay legal fees if we reach a settlement or obtain a trial award on your behalf.
Bottom line: Hiring a Starke pedestrian accident attorney costs you nothing until the case is resolved in your favor. At that point, our fee is calculated as a percentage of your recovery.
Real Advocacy, Right Away. Here’s How We Start Building Your Case
Time is of the essence after a pedestrian accident. Witnesses’ memories fade, physical evidence is removed, and the vehicle that hit you may be repaired. That’s why our Bradford County pedestrian accident attorneys start preparing your case immediately.
Critical steps we can take to start building your claim include:
- Investigating the Accident: We visit the scene, speak to witnesses, and review your recollection of the event. Photographs, witness testimony, and physical evidence (such as skid marks) can provide valuable insight into what caused the crash.
- Collecting & Reviewing Police Reports: The crash report may contain a wealth of information, including the officer’s preliminary opinion on who is at fault and any citations or arrests. We also review the report for accuracy and to anticipate potential defense arguments.
- Securing Medical Records: Complete medical records give us a full picture of your injuries. Our team can also consult with your doctors to understand the severity of your injuries and the effects they will have on your life.
- Reviewing Bills, Receipts, etc.: Financial documents help us calculate your damages. We take into account all medical bills, out-of-pocket costs, and more.
- Consulting Expert Witnesses: Our firm has relationships with leading experts in a host of different fields. They can help us reconstruct the accident, identify all responsible parties, and determine potential damages.
One of the most important aspects of any pedestrian accident claim is proving that you meet the serious injury threshold. As a no-fault state, Florida limits the circumstances under which the victims of auto accidents can bring a claim against a motorist. This includes pedestrians.
Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers gathers all evidence of permanent disability, scarring, disfigurement, or loss of bodily function. If you meet the threshold for serious injury, you may be entitled to significantly more compensation than you would be able to recover through PIP insurance alone.
What Are Florida’s Pedestrian Laws?
Pedestrians have certain rights and obligations under Florida law. All pedestrians need to comply with applicable laws concerning crosswalks, right-of-way, etc. Not only is following the law critical for your safety, but it also improves the likelihood of receiving full compensation for your injuries in the event of an accident.
There are a number of laws that often come into play in a pedestrian accident claim:
- Right-of-Way at Crosswalks: Drivers must yield to pedestrians at crosswalks. This includes intersections with traffic lights and signage, as well as crosswalks without signals or signs where the pedestrian is on the half of the road where a driver is traveling.
- Traffic Control Devices: Pedestrians must obey WALK/DON’T WALK signals and other devices.
- Crossing Outside a Crosswalk: Vehicles have the right-of-way at unmarked crosswalks and other sections of the road.
- Jaywalking Prohibited: When adjacent intersections have marked crosswalks, pedestrians may not cross the road at any point outside a marked crosswalk.
- Walking on Roadways: Pedestrians are required to use sidewalks where available. If no sidewalk is available, pedestrians are required to walk on the shoulder of the road in opposition to the direction of traffic.
Drivers also have a legal obligation to exercise due care when pedestrians are in crosswalks or the roadway. Failure to uphold this duty commonly results in collisions.
Who’s Liable When a Car Hits a Pedestrian?
Liability can be a complex issue in pedestrian accident claims. Drivers and pedestrians alike may be at fault. The driver’s insurance company will likely try to place blame on the pedestrian, while pedestrians typically blame the driver. A skilled pedestrian accident attorney in Starke can examine the evidence and hold all responsible parties accountable.
How Do We Prove Liability?
At Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers, we work quickly to gather evidence, determine the cause of the crash, and assign liability. Evidence that can help us do that includes:
- Photos of the accident scene
- Eyewitness accounts
- Video footage of the accident
- Physical evidence such as skid marks, debris in the roadway, etc.
- Accident reports
- Medical records
- Expert witness testimony & exhibits (such as accident reconstructions)
Insurance companies conduct their own investigations to avoid liability. Having a steadfast attorney by your side means you won’t be taken advantage of or leave money on the table.
What If I’m Partly At Fault?
Errors on the part of pedestrians commonly contribute to collisions with motor vehicles. Research by the Florida Department of Transportation shows that accidents outside of crosswalks and involving bad weather tend to be the fault of the pedestrian rather than the driver. The good news is that you aren’t necessarily barred from making a claim if you are partly at fault.
Since March 23, 2023, Florida has operated on a modified comparative negligence basis. You can still recover partial compensation for your injuries if you are less than 50% at fault. Damages are reduced according to your percentage of blame (e.g., if your damages are $100,000 and you were 20% at fault, you may still recover $80,000).
You don’t have to accept an insurer’s assignment of fault. If blame is being put on you, we can review the evidence, dispute unfair findings, and push for just compensation. Reach out today for a FREE, no-pressure case review. Let’s find the truth.
Insurance & Your Florida Pedestrian Injury Claim
The first place to turn after a pedestrian accident in Florida is your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance. PIP pays 80% of all necessary medical treatments and 60% of lost income, up to the policy limit of $10,000. These benefits are provided regardless of who may have been at fault.
If you sustain a serious injury and the driver was at fault, you have the right to bring a claim against them. Compensation is generally paid by the driver’s bodily injury liability (BIL) insurance.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Starke
A pedestrian accident has many potential causes. Driver error, lack of visibility, and unsafe road conditions may all be factors. Some of the leading causes of wrecks our Starke pedestrian accident attorneys see include:
- Failure to yield at crosswalks
- Distracted driving
- Speeding & driving too fast for conditions
- Errors when backing up
- Running red lights & stop signs
- Negligent turns
- Aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence
In 2024, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) recorded 705 deaths and more than 8,400 injuries in pedestrian crashes. This demonstrates the dangers pedestrians face on Florida’s roads, as well as the potential consequences of motorists’ negligence.
What Kind of Compensation Is Available to Injured Pedestrians?
Pedestrians who are seriously injured by a motor vehicle may be entitled to multiple types of compensation. A pedestrian accident attorney in Starke can help you seek all available damages through a personal injury claim.
You may be entitled to compensation for the following losses:
- Medical expenses to date
- Lost wages
- Future medical costs
- Reduced earning capacity
- Household services expenses
- Pain & suffering
- Mental anguish
- Inconvenience
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Every pedestrian accident case is unique. Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers provides Real Advocacy in settlement negotiations and, if necessary, at trial. We are committed to seeking maximum compensation for your injuries and damages, as well as the burdens you will face in the future.
Wrongful Death in Pedestrian Accidents
FLHSMV data shows that, on average, more than 800 pedestrians in Florida are killed in accidents each year. Your loved one is not a statistic; they are a cherished human being who was taken from you too soon.
If a member of your family died tragically in a pedestrian accident, Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers can file a wrongful death claim on your behalf. Damages you and your loved ones may be entitled to include:
- Funeral & burial expenses
- Medical expenses prior to death
- Loss of income & financial support
- Mental pain & suffering
- Loss of companionship & consortium
- Loss of household services
When life as we knew it seems to slip from our grasp, we’re left with emptiness and no end in sight. Money isn’t going to fix that, but that’s not what Real Justice is about. It’s about securing the compensation you need to heal and start over. It’s about getting accountability so that you can have some peace of mind. It’s about hope. Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers wants to help you find that hope again.
How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Florida?
Florida requires all personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits to be filed within 2 years. Injury claims formerly had a 4-year deadline, but the Florida Legislature changed this in 2023.
Pedestrians and their families need to be aware of the statute of limitations and take action before time runs out. Speaking to a Starke pedestrian injury attorney ASAP is the best way to understand your legal options and exercise your rights in a timely fashion.
Real Experience. Real Results. Real Justice. Call Today.
Being injured as a pedestrian can have dire consequences for your well-being, your finances, and your future. If a careless driver caused the accident and left you with a permanent injury, you need a Starke pedestrian accident attorney to look out for your best interests and help protect your rights.
Clients trust us because we Keep It Real. We provide unparalleled legal representation with compassion and steadfast support. We’ve handled car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, rideshare, and delivery truck cases across Florida, so we know the motor vehicle laws that shape each claim.
You deserve a team with decades of Real Experience in the courtroom and at the negotiating table that will listen first and stand by you from moment one. That’s Bernheim Kelley Injury Lawyers.
Contact Our Starke Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today for a FREE Case Evaluation
Our firm serves clients in Starke, Lawtey, Hampton, Brooker, and all of Bradford County and North Florida. We dedicate ourselves to holding careless drivers and other defendants accountable for the harm they cause.
It all starts with a FREE consultation. We’ll provide an honest evaluation of your case and discuss your options for obtaining full and fair compensation. To get started, contact us online or call us at 904-758-1111. A Starke pedestrian accident lawyer is ready to help; you just need to take that first step.