Florida Pedestrian Traffic Regulations

• Pedestrians have the right-of-way in marked crosswalks and at intersections when obeying traffic signals.
• Drivers are legally required to yield to pedestrians who are crossing with a walk signal or who are already in the crosswalk.
• Pedestrians must follow traffic control devices, including obeying “Don’t Walk” or red pedestrian signals.
• When no sidewalk is available, pedestrians must walk on the shoulder or along the left side of the roadway, facing oncoming traffic to remain visible and safe.

What Causes Lakeland Pedestrian Accidents?

• Distracted Driving: Drivers who are texting, eating, adjusting the radio, or using GPS often fail to notice pedestrians in crosswalks or along the side of the road. A momentary distraction can lead to a serious or even fatal crash.
• Failure to Yield the Right-of-Way: Florida law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at intersections. Many accidents happen when motorists ignore this rule or misjudge a pedestrian’s movement.
• Speeding: Excessive speed not only increases the risk of hitting a pedestrian but also amplifies the severity of injuries. A vehicle traveling even a few miles per hour over the speed limit has significantly less time to stop safely.
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Alcohol or drug impairment reduces a driver’s reaction time, judgment, and vision. Impaired drivers are much more likely to overlook pedestrians, especially in low-light conditions or at night.
• Poor Visibility: Many pedestrian accidents occur at night, during dawn or dusk, or in poorly lit areas. Without reflective clothing or adequate lighting, pedestrians can be difficult for drivers to see in time to stop.
• Improper Turns at Intersections: Drivers making left or right turns often focus on oncoming traffic and fail to check for pedestrians crossing the street. This is a common cause of pedestrian accidents, particularly in busy intersections throughout Lakeland.
• Backing Up Accidents: Pedestrians walking behind vehicles in parking lots or residential driveways may be hit by drivers who fail to check blind spots or use rearview cameras properly.
• Illegal or Unsafe Crossings: While many accidents are due to driver negligence, some occur when pedestrians cross outside of designated crosswalks or dart into traffic unexpectedly.

Common Injuries in Lakeland Pedestrian Accidents

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Direct impact to the head during a crash can lead to concussions, brain swelling, or skull fractures. TBIs often result in cognitive impairments, memory loss, dizziness, and long-term neurological issues.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: A blow to the back or neck can damage the spinal cord, leading to partial or full paralysis. Victims may lose sensation or motor function in parts of the body, sometimes permanently.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: Common in the legs, arms, ribs, pelvis, and hips, fractures can require surgery, metal implants, and months of immobilization and physical therapy. Complex fractures may never fully heal.
• Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage: Pedestrians thrown onto the hood or ground may suffer blunt-force trauma to the chest or abdomen. Injuries to the liver, lungs, kidneys, or spleen can be life-threatening and may not be immediately apparent.
• Lacerations and Severe Bruising: Impact with metal, glass, or pavement can cause deep cuts, abrasions, and contusions. These injuries carry a risk of infection and may leave permanent scars.
• Amputations and Crush Injuries: In extreme cases, especially with large vehicles, limbs may be crushed, requiring amputation or resulting in loss of function.
• Facial Injuries and Dental Damage: A sudden impact to the head or face can result in broken teeth, jaw fractures, eye injuries, or permanent disfigurement.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Torn ligaments, muscle strains, and tendon injuries may limit mobility and require prolonged recovery or surgical intervention.
• Psychological Trauma: Beyond the physical harm, victims often experience emotional distress such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, or a long-term fear of walking near traffic again.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Lakeland Pedestrian Accident?

• The Driver: The most common source of negligence is the driver. If they were speeding, distracted, under the influence, failed to yield, or ignored traffic signals, they are likely to bear the majority of the blame. Drivers have a legal duty to remain alert and yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks or when traffic signals require them to do so.
• The Pedestrian: In some instances, the pedestrian may have acted negligently, such as by jaywalking, crossing against a traffic signal, or entering the street in an area where drivers had no reasonable expectation of encountering foot traffic. In these cases, the pedestrian may be assigned partial fault, which could reduce the overall compensation they’re entitled to but does not eliminate their right to recover damages.
• Government Entities: If unsafe road conditions contributed to the accident, such as broken traffic signals, lack of crosswalks, poor lighting, missing signage, or poorly designed intersections, the city of Lakeland or the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) could be held liable. Claims against public entities involve special procedures and strict deadlines, so quick legal action is essential.
• Third Parties: In some situations, additional parties may have played a role. For example:
  • A construction company that failed to safely redirect pedestrian traffic during road work.
  • A vehicle manufacturer whose product had defective brakes or safety systems.
  • A business owner who allowed foliage, signage, or parked vehicles to block sightlines at a driveway or crosswalk.

How Can an Attorney Help After a Lakeland Pedestrian Accident?

• Thorough Accident Investigation: We don’t rely solely on police reports. We conduct our own independent investigation to gather critical evidence such as surveillance video, dashcam footage, eyewitness accounts, medical documentation, accident reconstruction reports, and roadway conditions. This detailed analysis helps us determine how and why the accident occurred.
• Identifying All Liable Parties: Pedestrian accidents are not always straightforward. In addition to the driver, other parties, like municipal entities or third-party contractors, may share liability. We examine every angle to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.
• Dealing with Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters often offer quick, lowball settlements that fail to account for the true extent of your injuries. We take over all communication with insurers, protecting you from pressure tactics and negotiating aggressively to pursue the maximum possible compensation.
• Valuing the Full Scope of Your Damages: Many victims underestimate the long-term costs of their injuries. We work with medical professionals, vocational experts, and economists to calculate the full value of your claim. This includes:
  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress and diminished quality of life
  • Costs for rehabilitation, assistive devices, or in-home care
• Litigating When Necessary: If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court. Our attorneys are experienced litigators who know how to present compelling cases before judges and juries.

• Bicycle accidents
• Car accidents
• Construction accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Truck accidents

Contact Kemp Injury Law Today if You've Been Injured in a Lakeland Pedestrian Accident

Related: Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way in Florida?

What Are Some Common Lakeland Pedestrian Accident Injuries?

It should come as no surprise given the massive difference in weight and speed, that the pedestrian typically fares much worse than the motorist when a vehicle collides with a pedestrian. Common pedestrian accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• Neck and back injuries.
• Internal organ damage.
• Soft tissue injury, including strains and sprains.
• Paralysis and other spinal cord injuries.
• Broken bones.
• Loss of a limb.
• “Road rash”
• Lacerations and scarring.
• Death

Get Reliable, Experienced Legal Help with Your Lakeland Pedestrian Accident Case

Attorney Adam Kemp is dedicated to seeking justice for victims injured or tragically lost in Lakeland pedestrian accidents. At Kemp Personal Injury Law, our commitment is to hold those responsible accountable and ensure that victims receive the compensation they rightfully deserve. With his background as an associate at one of America’s leading personal injury firms and as a former prosecuting attorney, attorney Adam Kemp possesses the skills and resources necessary to effectively advocate for injured individuals and their families affected by Lakeland pedestrian accidents.

If you have been injured in a Lakeland pedestrian accident or have lost a loved one in such an incident, contact a knowledgeable Lakeland pedestrian accident lawyer at Kemp Personal Injury Law to discuss your legal options. Our mission is to ensure that victims of preventable pedestrian accidents are fully and fairly compensated by the responsible parties. Reach out to our team today for a complimentary initial consultation by calling 863-225-0254 or by filling out our convenient online contact form.