Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Tamarac, FL
Tamarac is a community defined by its active pedestrian culture — and its unique demographics make walkability both a lifestyle choice and a daily necessity. The city’s large elderly population regularly walks to shops, medical appointments, and community centers along Commercial Boulevard, University Drive, and McNab Road. These corridors carry some of the highest traffic volumes in northwest Broward County, with speeding vehicles, drivers making aggressive turns, and commercial trucks sharing the road at intersections that are often poorly timed for pedestrian crossing. The combination of aging infrastructure, distracted drivers, and high foot traffic creates conditions where a pedestrian can be struck in a fraction of a second.
A pedestrian hit by a motor vehicle typically suffers injuries far more severe than the vehicle’s occupants. When a Tamarac driver’s negligence puts you or a loved one in the hospital, you need an attorney who understands both the medical complexity of pedestrian injuries and the tactics insurance companies use to limit payouts. Eric A. Hernandez at HLM Injury Lawyers brings 25-plus years of trial experience and the credentials of a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and Florida Supreme Court law clerk to every pedestrian accident case he takes. He is bilingual in English and Spanish and recognized as a Super Lawyer and Florida Trend Legal Elite. Call (305) 842-2100 for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Tamarac
- Failure to yield in crosswalks: Florida law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks, yet violations at signalized and unsignalized crossings on Commercial Boulevard and University Drive are frequent — especially at high-traffic shopping and medical plazas.
- Distracted driving: A driver glancing at a phone for three seconds while traveling at 40 mph covers more than 175 feet without looking up — easily enough to strike a pedestrian who has lawfully entered a crosswalk or intersection.
- Speeding: Many of Tamarac’s arterial roads are posted at 35–45 mph. Drivers who exceed those limits have dramatically reduced reaction time and cause injuries of far greater severity when a pedestrian is struck.
- Left and right turns across pedestrian paths: Drivers focused on oncoming vehicle traffic during turns frequently fail to check for pedestrians in the crosswalk running parallel to their intended turn path.
- Poor lighting at night: Older pedestrian infrastructure along McNab Road and side streets connecting to commercial areas lacks adequate lighting, reducing driver visibility of pedestrians after dark — a special risk for elderly residents walking in the evening.
- Vehicles jumping curbs or leaving their lane: Impaired or medically incapacitated drivers — or those distracted by what is happening inside their vehicles — sometimes leave the roadway entirely, striking pedestrians on sidewalks or in parking lots.
Injuries Common in Pedestrian Accident Crashes
- Lower extremity fractures: The bumper height of most passenger vehicles makes the legs the primary point of impact, causing tibial, fibular, and femoral fractures that require surgical repair and extended rehabilitation.
- Traumatic brain injury: Pedestrians thrown by vehicle impact frequently strike their head on the vehicle, the pavement, or both. TBI ranges from concussion to severe brain damage affecting cognition, speech, and independence.
- Spinal cord injuries: The violent forces of a pedestrian-vehicle collision can fracture or dislocate vertebrae, causing partial or complete paralysis — particularly devastating for elderly victims already facing mobility challenges.
- Internal organ injuries: Abdominal and thoracic trauma from a vehicle strike can lacerate the liver, spleen, or lungs without visible external injury, requiring immediate emergency diagnosis.
- Pelvic fractures: High-energy impact to the pelvic region during a pedestrian crash can cause fractures that result in lengthy hospitalization, surgical intervention, and lasting limitations on mobility.
- Psychological trauma: Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety are documented at high rates among pedestrian accident survivors, often persisting long after physical recovery.
Florida Law and Your Tamarac Pedestrian Accident Claim
Florida’s PIP coverage applies to pedestrians struck by motor vehicles if they are named on or qualify under an auto insurance policy. PIP provides up to $10,000 in initial medical and lost-wage coverage and requires that treatment begin within 14 days of the accident. Beyond PIP, you may pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage — if they carry it. Florida does not require drivers to carry bodily injury liability insurance.
Under Florida’s modified comparative negligence rule, your compensation is reduced in proportion to your own fault. If you are found 51% or more responsible for the accident, you cannot recover damages. Insurance companies often argue that pedestrians contributed to their own injuries — an experienced attorney is essential to challenge those arguments.
Florida’s 2023 tort reform law, HB 837, gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a negligence claim. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras is critical evidence that disappears quickly without prompt legal intervention.
Why Hire Eric Hernandez
- Trial-proven advocacy: Insurance companies settle for more when they know your attorney will take the case to trial. Eric’s 25-plus years of courtroom experience in South Florida creates that credibility.
- Former federal prosecutor: Eric’s background handling complex federal litigation gives him the investigative and strategic skills to build compelling pedestrian accident cases from the ground up.
- Understanding of elder victim needs: Tamarac’s population includes a large number of older adults. Eric understands the specific ways pedestrian injuries affect quality of life and long-term care needs for elderly victims — and ensures those damages are fully documented and pursued.
- Bilingual representation: Eric serves clients throughout Tamarac in both English and Spanish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a claim if I was not in a crosswalk when I was hit? Possibly. Florida law does not limit pedestrian claims solely to crosswalk incidents. Fault is assessed based on all the circumstances. If the driver was speeding, impaired, or otherwise negligent, you may still recover even if you were not in a designated crosswalk.
What if the driver who hit me fled the scene? Hit-and-run accidents can be addressed through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Eric can help identify all available insurance sources and, when possible, investigate to identify the responsible driver.
Should I speak to the at-fault driver’s insurance company? Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Adjusters are trained to use your own words to reduce or deny your claim.
Can family members recover compensation if an elderly pedestrian is seriously injured? If your family member suffered a permanent or significant injury, family members may have claims for their own damages related to loss of care, companionship, and the costs of providing assistance. An attorney can evaluate the full scope of available claims.
Contact HLM Injury Lawyers — Free Consultation
Pedestrian accident injuries deserve full and fair compensation — do not settle for less. Call HLM Injury Lawyers at (305) 842-2100 for a free consultation. Eric Hernandez represents pedestrian accident victims throughout Tamarac, Coral Springs, Parkland, Coconut Creek, Margate, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, and all of Broward County.