Florida ranks among the deadliest states in the country for pedestrians, and Broward County sits at the center of that problem. According to FLHSMV data, Broward County recorded over 1,000 pedestrian crashes in 2022 alone, causing more than 800 injuries and 75 deaths. Fort Lauderdale's wide, high-speed roads, heavy tourist foot traffic near the beach, and limited pedestrian infrastructure create conditions where walkers face serious danger at almost every major intersection.
If a driver's negligence left you with injuries while you were crossing a street, walking along a sidewalk, or stepping through a crosswalk in Broward County, the Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyers at Miller & Jacobs Accident Attorneys offer a free consultation to review your case.
Table of Contents
- How Do Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Miller & Jacobs Fight for Injured Walkers?
- Why Are Fort Lauderdale Streets So Dangerous for Pedestrians?
- What Florida Laws Protect Pedestrians Injured in Fort Lauderdale Accidents?
- What Types of Injuries Do Pedestrians Suffer in Fort Lauderdale Collisions?
- What Damages May You Recover After a Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident?
- What Deadlines Apply to a Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Claim
- FAQs for Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
- Contact Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Miller & Jacobs Today
How Do Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Miller & Jacobs Fight for Injured Walkers?
Rick S. Jacobs and Mark J. Miller started their legal careers on the prosecution side, trying cases for the State of Florida before shifting their focus to personal injury representation. That prosecutorial foundation shaped the way the firm approaches pedestrian accident claims in Broward County today. They investigate aggressively, build cases with the expectation of trial, and hold negligent drivers and their insurance companies accountable for the full scope of the harm they caused.
The Resources Behind Your Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Claim
Pedestrian collision cases often hinge on precise details about speed, visibility, crosswalk compliance, and the driver's line of sight. Miller & Jacobs puts money behind each case before any recovery happens, funding accident scene reconstruction, biomechanical analysis, traffic engineering reviews, and medical evaluations that document the true extent of your injuries.
The firm applies a hands-on, trial-oriented approach to Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident cases that sets the tone for how negotiations and litigation develop.
- Rick Jacobs served as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade for over three years and Mark Miller worked as both a prosecutor and an insurance defense attorney before they co-founded the firm
- The firm funds all case investigation and preparation costs upfront, routinely investing $5,000 to $20,000 before any recovery
- Miller & Jacobs collects no fees unless compensation is recovered for you, keeping the financial risk entirely on the firm
- The Pompano Beach headquarters at 1600 S Federal Hwy, Suite 1101, places the firm within minutes of Fort Lauderdale's busiest pedestrian corridors
- Over $150 million in total verdicts and settlements reflects the results the firm has produced for injured clients across South Florida
A pedestrian facing a well-funded insurance defense team needs representation willing to invest at the same level, and that financial commitment from day one often influences whether a case resolves fairly or drags through unnecessary delays.
Why Are Fort Lauderdale Streets So Dangerous for Pedestrians?
Fort Lauderdale adopted a Vision Zero plan in 2015 aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities, yet the city's pedestrian death rate has continued to climb in the years since. Many of the roads carrying the heaviest foot traffic in Broward County were originally designed to move vehicles quickly, not to protect people on foot.
High-Risk Roads and Intersections Across Broward County
Certain corridors in Fort Lauderdale see pedestrian collisions far more frequently than others. Sunrise Boulevard, particularly the stretch between Bayview Drive and Andrews Avenue, ranks among the most dangerous sections for walkers in all of Broward County.
The intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and US-1, the A1A corridor along Fort Lauderdale Beach, and Commercial Boulevard all appear repeatedly in pedestrian crash data from the FLHSMV.
What Conditions Lead to Pedestrian Crashes in Fort Lauderdale
Several characteristics of Fort Lauderdale's road network and driving culture put pedestrians at elevated risk compared to other Florida cities.
- Wide, multi-lane roads like Sunrise Boulevard and Federal Highway that encourage high vehicle speeds through areas with heavy foot traffic
- Limited or absent sidewalks on sections of road where pedestrians have no safe path away from moving traffic
- Tourist-heavy zones near Fort Lauderdale Beach, Las Olas Boulevard, and the Riverwalk where visitors unfamiliar with local road patterns cross busy streets
- High rates of hit-and-run incidents in Broward County, with over 12,000 hit-and-run crashes reported in 2023 according to FLHSMV data
- Poor street lighting on certain stretches of road that makes pedestrians nearly invisible to drivers during evening and nighttime hours
Each of these factors reflects a failure of design, enforcement, or driver behavior that sets the stage for a preventable pedestrian collision in the Fort Lauderdale area.
What Florida Laws Protect Pedestrians Injured in Fort Lauderdale Accidents?
Florida's pedestrian traffic laws, outlined in Florida Statute § 316.130, assign rights and responsibilities to both pedestrians and drivers. Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyers rely on these statutes when establishing that a driver violated the law and caused harm to a person on foot.
Driver Obligations Under Florida Pedestrian Law
Florida Statute § 316.130 places clear responsibilities on drivers whenever pedestrians are present on or near the roadway. Several of these obligations come up frequently in Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident cases.
- Drivers must stop and remain stopped at intersections with traffic signals to allow pedestrians with a permitted walk signal to cross
- Where no traffic signals or signs exist, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in a crosswalk by slowing down or stopping
- No driver may overtake another vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk to allow a pedestrian to cross
- All drivers must exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian, with particular caution toward children and individuals with disabilities
A driver who violates any of these duties and strikes a pedestrian may face both a traffic infraction and civil liability for the injuries that result from the collision.
How Comparative Negligence Affects a Pedestrian Accident Claim
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system under Florida Statute § 768.81. If a pedestrian is found partially at fault for a collision, their total recovery is reduced by their percentage of responsibility. However, a pedestrian assigned more than 50% of the fault may not recover any damages at all.
Insurance companies frequently try to shift blame onto pedestrians by arguing they crossed outside a crosswalk or failed to obey traffic signals, which makes the liability analysis in these cases particularly important for Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyers to address early.
What Types of Injuries Do Pedestrians Suffer in Fort Lauderdale Collisions?
A pedestrian struck by a vehicle has no airbag, no seatbelt, and no metal frame absorbing the blow. This complete lack of any protective barrier between the human body and the vehicle explains why pedestrian crashes produce some of the most severe injuries seen in personal injury cases across Broward County.
Injuries Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Lawyers See Most Often
The types of injuries that arise in these cases reflect the extreme vulnerability of a person on foot facing a vehicle moving at even moderate speed.
- Traumatic brain injuries ranging from concussions to severe, permanent cognitive damage caused by the head striking the vehicle, the pavement, or both
- Spinal cord injuries and vertebral fractures that may result in partial or complete paralysis
- Multiple broken bones in the legs, pelvis, ribs, and arms from the initial point of impact and the secondary fall to the ground
- Internal organ damage requiring emergency surgery, including injuries to the spleen, liver, and kidneys
- Severe road rash, lacerations, and disfiguring scarring from contact with the pavement after impact
The medical costs associated with these injuries frequently extend into six or seven figures, particularly when a pedestrian requires ongoing rehabilitation, assistive devices, or long-term nursing care.
What Damages May You Recover After a Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident?
The compensation available in a Broward County pedestrian accident claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence supporting your case, and the insurance coverage carried by the at-fault driver.
Economic Losses from a Pedestrian Collision
Economic damages cover all of the measurable financial costs tied to your pedestrian accident. These include emergency room and hospital bills, surgical costs, physical therapy, prescription medications, future medical treatment, lost wages, and any reduction in your earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or profession.
Non-Economic Harm and Wrongful Death
Several categories of non-economic harm frequently appear in Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident claims and represent real losses that Florida law recognizes even though they lack a fixed dollar amount.
- Physical pain and suffering tied to the severity of your injuries and the duration of your recovery
- Emotional distress, anxiety, and psychological trauma from the collision and its lingering effects
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement from surgical procedures or contact with the pavement
- Loss of your ability to participate in hobbies, recreation, and daily activities you enjoyed before the accident
- Strain on personal and family relationships caused by your physical limitations and emotional state
In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may pursue compensation for funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, and the emotional impact of their loss. And in rare situations involving extreme recklessness, such as a driver who struck a pedestrian while under the influence or while fleeing from law enforcement, punitive damages may apply to punish the at-fault party.
What Deadlines Apply to a Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Claim
Two deadlines govern your ability to recover compensation after a pedestrian accident in Broward County, and missing either one may significantly limit or end your legal options.
The Two-Year Statute of Limitations
Under Florida Statute § 95.11, you have two years from the date of a pedestrian accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, the two-year countdown begins on the date of death rather than the date of the collision. If you miss this deadline, the court is very likely to dismiss your case regardless of how strong the evidence of negligence may be.
The 14-Day PIP Treatment Rule Still Applies to Pedestrians
Even though you were on foot at the time of the collision, Florida's PIP law under Florida Statute § 627.736 may still apply if you own a vehicle registered in the state and carry PIP coverage on your policy. You must seek medical treatment within 14 days of the accident to preserve those benefits.
Many pedestrian accident victims do not realize this deadline applies to them, and missing it may cost you up to $10,000 in medical coverage at the moment you need it most.
Filing an insurance claim does not pause the two-year statute of limitations.
These deadlines run independently of one another, which is one of many reasons Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyers recommend acting quickly after a collision.
FAQs for Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Do pedestrians always have the right of way in Florida?
No. Florida law assigns rights and responsibilities to both pedestrians and drivers depending on the situation. Pedestrians have the right of way in marked crosswalks when following traffic signals, but they must yield to vehicles when crossing outside a crosswalk or between intersections where signals are in operation. Drivers must always exercise due care to avoid hitting a pedestrian, regardless of who has the right of way.
What happens if I was partially at fault for the pedestrian accident?
Florida's modified comparative negligence system reduces your total recovery by your percentage of fault. If your share of fault exceeds 50%, you may not recover anything. Insurance companies aggressively argue pedestrian fault, which is why building a strong liability case early matters.
How much does it cost to hire a Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyer?
Miller & Jacobs Accident Attorneys handles all pedestrian injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs and owe no attorney fees unless the firm recovers compensation for you. The firm also advances the full cost of accident reconstruction, medical consultations, and other case expenses.
Does PIP coverage apply if I was a pedestrian at the time of the accident?
If you own a vehicle registered in Florida and carry PIP insurance, that coverage may apply to your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages even though you were on foot when the crash happened. You still must seek medical treatment within 14 days to preserve eligibility for those benefits.
What if the driver who hit me in Fort Lauderdale left the scene?
Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents are a serious and persistent problem in Broward County. If the driver fled, you may still have options through your own uninsured motorist coverage, if you carry it. Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident lawyers investigate these cases by working with law enforcement, reviewing surveillance and traffic camera footage, and identifying any available sources of recovery.
Contact Fort Lauderdale Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at Miller & Jacobs Today
A pedestrian struck by a vehicle on a Fort Lauderdale road faces a recovery measured in months or years, and the medical bills start piling up long before any insurance company makes a fair offer. The driver's insurer has a team assigned to minimize what they pay. You need someone just as prepared on your side.
Miller & Jacobs Accident Attorneys has spent more than two decades standing up for people harmed by negligence across Broward County and South Florida, recovering over $150 million along the way. Contact the firm today for a free consultation and put two former prosecutors to work on your Fort Lauderdale pedestrian accident claim.