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Tampa Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Struck while walking in Tampa? You may have coverage even though you were not in a vehicle. The Reyes Firm helps injured pedestrians find every source of coverage and hold the driver accountable.
or dial (833) 422-3329 · no fee unless we win · Hablamos Español
Why Injured Pedestrians in Tampa Choose Us
We Find Every Source of Coverage
Pedestrian claims often draw on more than one policy: your own PIP, a household member’s coverage, uninsured motorist benefits, and the driver’s liability insurance. Sorting that out early shapes the whole case.
We Push Back on the “They Stepped Out” Defense
Drivers and insurers routinely argue the pedestrian appeared from nowhere or was not in a crosswalk. Video, scene evidence, and witness accounts are what answer that, and they disappear quickly.
Led by Attorney Edward J. Reyes
Your case is handled personally, not passed down a line. You will know where your claim stands and what the options are at each stage.
No Fee Unless We Win
Consultations are free and we work on a contingency fee, so there is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you, subject to the written agreement.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Tampa
Florida consistently ranks among the most dangerous states for people on foot. We investigate what caused your crash and identify everyone who may be responsible.
Distracted Driving
Texting, navigation apps, and vehicle controls take a driver’s eyes off the crosswalk at the worst moment.
Speeding
Excess speed cuts reaction time and sharply raises the chance of catastrophic or fatal injuries.
Failure to Yield at a Crosswalk
A driver may be responsible when they fail to stop or yield to someone lawfully crossing.
Unsafe Left and Right Turns
Drivers watching for oncoming traffic often begin a turn without checking for people crossing beside them.
Impaired Driving
Alcohol and drugs affect judgment, vision, and the ability to respond to a pedestrian in time.
Backing Accidents
People are struck when drivers reverse out of driveways, parking spaces, and loading areas without checking blind spots.
- Hit-and-run collisions, where surveillance video, debris, and witness accounts may identify the vehicle or another source of coverage
- Delivery vans, rideshare cars, and work trucks, which may create responsibility for an employer or vehicle owner as well as the driver
- Dangerous roads and intersections, where a claim involving a government entity carries special legal requirements and shorter notice deadlines
Injuries from Tampa Pedestrian Accidents
A person on foot has no protection at all. Even a low-speed impact can cause injuries that take months to recover from, and the medical records created early often decide what a claim is worth.
Broken bones and fractures
Legs, hips, arms, and ribs take the impact when a vehicle strikes a person on foot.
Traumatic brain injuries
Head strikes on the vehicle or the pavement can cause lasting cognitive and emotional changes.
Spinal cord injuries
Damage to the spine can mean partial or complete paralysis and lifelong care.
Internal injuries
Organ damage and internal bleeding can be life-threatening and may show no symptoms at first.
Soft tissue damage
Torn muscles, ligaments, and deep bruising that limit movement for months.
Fatal injuries
When a pedestrian collision takes a life, the family may bring a wrongful death claim.
Who Pays After a Pedestrian Accident in Florida?
Many people assume that because they were walking, no auto insurance applies. Florida PIP follows the person, so if you own a vehicle with PIP coverage it may pay medical bills and lost wages even though you were on foot. The 14-day treatment rule still applies.
Beyond PIP, recovery usually comes from the driver’s liability coverage, and in some cases from an employer or your own uninsured motorist coverage. What a claim is worth depends on your injuries, your losses, and how the crash happened, not on a formula.
- Your own PIP coverage, which follows you even on foot
- A household member’s auto policy, in some situations
- The at-fault driver’s liability coverage
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage
- An employer or vehicle owner, in commercial vehicle cases
What to Do After Being Hit in Tampa
Seek medical attention
Go even if you feel fine, and within 14 days if you plan to use PIP. Adrenaline hides injuries, and some symptoms take days to appear.
Report the crash
A police report creates an official record of what happened, which matters when a driver later claims you stepped out in front of them.
Preserve the evidence
Photograph the scene, the vehicle, and your injuries, and get witness details. Nearby businesses may have video, but it is often overwritten within days.
Talk to an attorney before the insurer
Do not give a recorded statement before getting advice. Your consultation with us is free.
Pedestrian Accident Questions, Answered
Am I covered if I was walking and did not have a car with me?
Possibly. Florida PIP follows the person rather than the vehicle, so if you own a car with PIP coverage it may pay medical bills and lost wages even though you were on foot. If you do not own a vehicle, you may be covered under a household member’s policy, and a claim against the driver is separate from either.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Two years from the date of the accident. Florida shortened this from four years to two on March 24, 2023 under HB 837. Claims involving a government entity, such as a dangerous intersection, carry additional notice requirements and shorter timelines.
The driver says I was not in a crosswalk. Does that end my claim?
Not necessarily. Florida uses modified comparative fault: your compensation is reduced by your share of responsibility, and you recover nothing only if you are found more than 50% at fault. Insurers often push that argument harder than the evidence supports, which is why scene evidence and video matter so much.
What if the driver who hit me was uninsured or left the scene?
You may still have options, including your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. In hit-and-run cases, surveillance video, vehicle debris, and witness accounts can sometimes identify the vehicle. Acting quickly matters, because video is usually overwritten within days.
How much is my pedestrian accident case worth?
It depends on the severity of your injuries, the treatment you need, the income you lose, and how the crash happened. Anyone who quotes a number before reviewing the medical picture is guessing. We would rather look at the details with you first.
Other Cases We Handle
Injured another way? The Reyes Firm represents accident victims across Tampa Bay.
Hit While Walking in Tampa? Let’s Make It Right.
Free consultation, no fee unless we win. Our office is at 4730 N. Habana Ave., Suite 201, Tampa, FL 33614.
(833) 422-3329 · Hablamos Español