It Is No Secret That Pedestrian Accidents Happen In The Sunshine State
Brian O Sutter
Accident Lawyers
Although some people frown upon using their feet to get from here to there, lots of folks enjoy going for a good walk or jog now and again. Florida has outstanding year-round weather that makes it possible for individuals to get out and about at almost any time. They can utilize the mode of transportation as an exercise to get into and stay in shape. Not to mention, walking to the beaches, amusement parks, stores, and workplaces can cut down on one's expenses. After all, there is no need for people to purchase insurance or fuel when they strap shoes on their feet to travel from destination to destination. However, not everything is peaches and cream when it comes to being a pedestrian in the Sunshine State. The venture can actually be pretty dangerous. According to Florida's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 9,356 crashes here involving pedestrians in 2018. Those events led to 7,935 injuries and 720 fatalities. For these purposes, this article will focus on the wrongful death aspect.
Dying Is Not Cheap These Days
Unfortunately, many times, the human body simply cannot hold up after becoming struck by a passenger vehicle. Peoples' lives are taken before it is their time. When a sudden and unexpected passing occurs, not only are family members left behind to grieve, but they also incur various expenses. For one, loved ones have to acquire the funds for the individual's funeral, which are not always easy to come by. Research from Parting.com reveals that the cost of an average funeral in North American runs somewhere between $7,000 and $10,000.
That is a lot of money for folks to raise in a moment's notice. Thankfully, there may be something that family members can do to ease the financial burdens, though. If a driver's negligence or recklessness caused the incident and wrongful death, a person could hire an attorney to fight on their behalf and recover the compensation that they rightfully deserve. Providing that the claim is successful, the loved ones won't have any problem with laying their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, or whomever to rest.
The Restitution Can Serve As Supplemental Income
When a pedestrian is the head of a household and dies after becoming struck by a car, the lives of their surviving dependents can be thrust into turmoil financially. The lost income could result in a husband or wife having to rush out and find a job, even if it is a low paying one, just to make ends meet. Meanwhile, children may have to do without new clothes, toys, and sometimes even food for a while. Current and future lost wages are a couple of the factors used to calculate compensation. Therefore, it can be in a person's best interest to file a wrongful death lawsuit against a negligent driver to supplement income and prevent their overall way of life from being turned upside down.
Don't Forget About Final Medical Expenses
Not all pedestrians die instantly once a vehicle hits them. On many occasions, the individuals are not pronounced dead until later, after receiving high-dollar medical care. The bills that come along with the surgeries, hospital stays, ambulance rides, and more typically don't just disappear because of a person's passing. Rather, hospital administrations and collection agencies hound surviving relatives for the funds. A winning wrongful death lawsuit is the perfect solution for paying off such final expenses and keeping bill collectors at bay.