West Palm Beach Pedestrian Accident Attorney
People walking in West Palm Beach—whether on Clematis, crossing Okeechobee, or heading to school or work—should not have to risk their lives every time they step off the curb. Yet serious pedestrian crashes happen here every year, often because a driver was in a hurry, distracted, or simply not paying attention.
Camacho Injury Law represents pedestrians who have been hit by cars, trucks, and other vehicles in West Palm Beach and across Palm Beach County. The firm steps in to help injured pedestrians and their families understand their rights, deal with insurance companies, and pursue fair compensation after a life-changing collision.
Were You Hit by a Car While Walking in West Palm Beach?
A pedestrian accident can happen in a blink: a car turning through a crosswalk, a driver rolling a red light while looking at their phone, a vehicle speeding through a parking lot. You feel the impact, maybe hit the hood or the pavement, and everything gets loud and blurry at once.
In the days that follow, the physical pain is only part of it. You might be worried about work, rent, childcare, and how long recovery will take. You might also be feeling anger and fear every time you think about that intersection or crosswalk. Camacho Injury Law knows how heavy all of that can feel. The firm’s job is to listen, explain your options in plain language, and take on the legal and insurance fight so you don’t have to handle it alone.
Pedestrian safety is a serious issue in Florida. In 2024, there were more than 12,000 pedestrian crashes statewide, a sharp increase from the year before. In Palm Beach County alone, there were 688 pedestrian crashes in 2023, resulting in hundreds of injuries and dozens of fatalities. Behind each number is a person whose life was suddenly changed.
Why Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen in West Palm Beach?
Florida continues to treat pedestrian safety as a serious concern, with statewide initiatives aimed at reducing serious injuries and deaths. You can learn more from the Florida Department of Transportation pedestrian and bicycle safety program on how the state is addressing these risks. Most pedestrian crashes are not “freak accidents.” They usually come down to preventable actions and conditions, including:
- Drivers failing to yield at crosswalks
- Speeding or aggressive driving on roads like Okeechobee Boulevard, Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, and Australian Avenue
- Distracted driving, especially texting or looking at GPS instead of the road
- Impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs
- Unsafe left turns, where drivers cut across crosswalks while watching oncoming cars instead of people walking
- Poor visibility, including nighttime crashes, dark clothing, or inadequate street lighting
- Parking lot and driveway incidents, where drivers aren’t checking for pedestrians before backing up or turning
Sometimes street design, signal timing, and lack of safe crossings also play a role. A careful investigation looks at both driver behavior and road conditions when determining what went wrong.
Common Pedestrian Accident Injuries
When a person on foot is hit by a vehicle, there is nothing to absorb the force but their body. Injuries can be serious and long-lasting, including:
- Concussions and more severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Neck and back injuries, including herniated discs
- Broken bones in the legs, arms, ribs, or pelvis
- Spinal cord injuries and, in severe cases, partial or complete paralysis
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Knee, shoulder, and other joint injuries
- Cuts, scarring, and disfigurement
- Emotional trauma, anxiety, and symptoms of PTSD
Even if you were able to walk away from the scene, it is still important to see a doctor promptly. Adrenaline can hide pain, and documentation early on helps link your injuries to the crash.
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident in West Palm Beach?
If you’ve been hit by a vehicle while walking, these steps can help protect your health and your legal rights:
- Call 911 and get medical help.
Report the crash and request medical attention. A police report and EMS records can become important evidence later. - Get checked out by a doctor.
Go to the ER, urgent care, or your doctor as soon as possible—even if you think you’re “okay.” Some head and internal injuries show up hours or days later. - If you can, gather information at the scene.
- Driver’s name, contact, license plate, and insurance information
- Names and phone numbers of any witnesses
- Photos of the vehicle, the scene, traffic signals, crosswalks, and your visible injuries
- Avoid making detailed statements to the driver’s insurer.
Be cautious about recorded statements, signing form - Contact a West Palm Beach pedestrian accident attorney.
A brief conversation with Attorney Camacho can help you understand your options before you make decisions that might affect your claim.
If you were taken straight to the hospital and couldn’t gather any information, don’t panic. The firm can work to obtain the crash report, locate witnesses, and look for other evidence like nearby cameras.
Legal Rights and Options for Injured Pedestrians in Florida
When a driver hits a pedestrian because they were careless, rushed, or distracted, the injured person may have the right to seek compensation for their losses. In many cases, that includes:
- Medical bills
- Future treatment and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In fatal pedestrian crashes, certain family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. These cases are deeply personal and require careful attention to both the legal and emotional aspects of what happened.
Florida law can be complicated, especially with no-fault (PIP) rules and comparative negligence (shared fault). Camacho Injury Law explains how these rules apply to your specific situation and helps you understand what kinds of claims may be available.
Role of a West Palm Beach Pedestrian Accident Attorney
- Investigate the crash
- Obtain the police report and 911 records
- Look for traffic camera or security video from nearby businesses or homes
- Identify and speak with witnesses
- Review scene diagrams, crosswalk markings, and signal timing where needed
- Protect you from insurance pressure
- Handle calls and letters from insurers
- Help you avoid harmful statements or quick low offers
- Correct inaccurate or unfair fault determinations
- Document the full impact of your injuries
- Gather medical records, bills, and opinions on future care
- Track lost income and changes in your ability to work
- Understand how the crash has affected your daily life and routines
- Pursue fair compensation
- Prepare a clear demand that explains liability and damages
- Negotiate with insurance carriers
- File a lawsuit in Palm Beach County when needed and move the case through discovery, mediation, and, if necessary, trial
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Pedestrian Accident?
Every case is different, but compensation in a Florida pedestrian accident claim may include:- Medical expenses – ER care, hospital stays, surgery, follow-up visits, medication, physical therapy, and assistive devices
- Future medical needs – ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, or long-term care
- Lost wages – income missed during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity – if you can’t return to the same job or work the same hours
- Pain and suffering – physical pain, discomfort, and limitations
- Emotional distress and mental anguish – anxiety, depression, fear of crossing streets or walking where the crash happened
- Loss of enjoyment of life – when your injuries limit hobbies, activities, or independence
- Property damage – broken glasses, phones, mobility aids, or other belongings damaged in the crash
How Camacho Injury Law Handles a Pedestrian Accident Claim
Step 1 – Free Consultation and Case Review
Step 2 – Evidence and Investigation
Step 3 – Medical Care and Case Building
Step 4 – Negotiation With Insurers
Step 5 – Lawsuit and Trial Preparation if Needed
Do I Really Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
There is no law that says you must hire a lawyer after a pedestrian crash. But practically, you may be up against:
- A driver’s insurance company that wants to minimize what it pays
- Disputes over who had the right of way
- Questions about how serious your injuries are and how long they will last
- Complex interactions between PIP coverage, health insurance, and bodily injury claims
A West Palm Beach pedestrian accident attorney helps organize the case, protect your rights, and push for a result that reflects more than just the cost of an ambulance ride. It allows you to focus on healing instead of trying to learn injury law while you’re in pain.
West Palm Beach Pedestrian Accident FAQs
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Florida?
What if I was crossing outside a crosswalk?
You may still have a case. Fault in pedestrian crashes is rarely “all or nothing.” Drivers still have a duty to keep a proper lookout and drive safely. Even if you were outside a crosswalk, there may be evidence that the driver was speeding, distracted, or could have avoided the crash.
Who pays my medical bills if I was walking and hit by a car?
Florida’s no-fault (PIP) rules can be confusing when you’re a pedestrian. Depending on the situation, your own auto policy, the driver’s coverage, and your health insurance may all play a role. The firm can review your policies and explain how bills and potential liens are handled as part of a settlement.
What if the driver left the scene?
Hit-and-run pedestrian crashes are sadly common. There may still be options, including uninsured motorist (UM) coverage or other avenues of recovery. The firm can review your situation and help explore next steps even if the driver hasn’t been identified yet.
Will my case go to trial?
Speak With a West Palm Beach Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
You do not have to carry this alone.
Start Your Free, Confidential Consultation
Share a few details about what happened, and the firm will reach out to schedule a time that works for you. Your information is kept confidential, and there’s no obligation to move forward.