Florida has the dubious distinction of being the state most likely for a pedestrian to be struck and killed by a motor vehicle driver. This unfortunate distinction was on full display in St. Petersburg on June 26, 2019, when a car struck and killed a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Car accidents cause destruction no matter if they involve other vehicles, motorcycles or trucks. However, when car accidents involve pedestrians, the likelihood skyrockets that the pedestrian will suffer serious injury or death.
On June 26, 2019 on Central Avenue and 58th Street in St. Petersburg, FL, a pedestrian was crossing in the north/south crosswalk on the western edge of the intersection. The driver of the 2007 Mercedes Benz sedan was leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage at the intersection of Central and 49th Street headed westbound on Central Avenue at a high rate of speed. Eyewitnesses report that the driver of the Mercedes ran the red light at the intersection of Central and 58th St. when he was struck by another vehicle (which apparently had the green light) driving southbound on 58th Street. Due to the extreme rate of speed, the Mercedes continued through the intersection striking and killing the pedestrian in the crosswalk.
In this scenario, it is clear that the driver of the Mercedes was negligent and at fault for the death of the pedestrian. According to information reported from the scene, the driver of the Mercedes was also at fault for the accident at Central and 49th Street. While the driver of the Mercedes was arrested for allegations of Vehicular Homicide and Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Property Damage, the real devastation is incurred by the people injured and killed by these negligent acts. Unfortunately, there is little for victims of car accidents, motorcycle accidents, or pedestrian accidents to do other than seek to be compensated for, among other things, their injuries, their medical bills, their pain and suffering, and their loss of enjoyment of life.
In order to do this, an in-depth investigation into applicable insurance coverage held by the at-fault driver as well as the victim and any other potential insurance coverage possibilities need to be explored. This is because, more often than not, the insurance coverages are the only real way victims receive payment for their injuries resulting from car accidents. An experienced and knowledgeable St. Petersburg Car Accident attorney will be a key to your success in seeking to recover the maximum compensation for your losses.
In pedestrian versus car accident cases, it is imperative to immediately seek medical attention for you or your loved one’s injuries. The trauma a human body endures when it is involved in a car accident is tremendous. After immediately seeking medical treatment, a prudent option is to seek the advice of an experienced and knowledgeable St. Petersburg car accident attorney. Some victims of car accidents are not lucky enough to be covered by health insurance, and even if they are, the health insurance companies often file liens against the victim for the medical bills the insurance company has paid resulting from the accident. This concept is called subrogation, which means the insurance company is looking to get reimbursed from the at-fault party for the benefits the insurance company has paid out on behalf of the victim. Liens and subrogation are just a couple of key issues that arise when seeking medical treatment after a car accident or motorcycle accident.
Car accident victims oftentimes are not equipped to navigate the medical treatment and billing subsequent to a car accident. This is why it is imperative to involve a St. Petersburg car accident attorney in your case from the beginning. Your attorney will be able to help you seek the care and treatment you need as a result of the car accident. More importantly, your St. Petersburg car accident attorney will be able to hold the at-fault party accountable for the damages he or she caused you or your loved one.
If you or anyone you know has been injured in a car accident or motorcycle accident, contact the St. Petersburg car accident attorneys McQuaid and Douglas at Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, for a free consultation.
