If you were injured as a pedestrian, The Altman Law Firm provides compassionate, dedicated legal representation to help you seek the recovery you deserve.
Free consultation: (305) 373-3730.
The Altman Firm Difference defines our strict focus on catastrophic loss and wrongful death in pedestrian accidents, leveraging our legacy since 1998 and Jeffrey S. Altman's status in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. We do not operate as a general practice, focusing exclusively on high-leverage pedestrian collision litigation.
Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable people on Miami roads, and collisions involving motor vehicles often result in severe, life-altering injuries. When a distracted, impaired, or reckless driver fails to yield or pay attention, the physical and emotional toll on the victim and their family can be overwhelming. At The Altman Law Firm, Jeffrey S. Altman brings over 25 years of experience to helping injured pedestrians navigate the complex aftermath of a crash. We understand the unique challenges these cases present, from dealing with uncooperative insurance companies to managing mounting medical bills. Our firm handles every case on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We are committed to providing empathetic, authoritative guidance while you focus on your physical recovery.
The process begins with a comprehensive, complimentary consultation where we listen to your story and assess the details of the incident. If we take your case, our team immediately steps in to handle all communications with the insurance companies and opposing counsel. We then move into the discovery and investigation phase, gathering police reports, medical records, and witness statements to build a robust foundation. Once your medical condition stabilizes, we submit a detailed demand package to the at-fault party's insurance carrier. If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation or mediation, we are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and present your case in court, guiding you through depositions, hearings, and trial with unwavering support.
Pedestrian accident claims in Florida are heavily influenced by the state's comparative negligence standard under Fla. Stat. § 768.81, which means your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault, making it crucial to establish the driver's liability clearly. Additionally, these claims are subject to a strict statute of limitations under Fla. Stat. § 95.11, which dictates the time frame you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a pedestrian accident tragically results in a fatality, the Florida Wrongful Death Act governs how surviving family members can seek compensation. Navigating these statutes requires careful legal analysis, and our firm ensures that all filings meet statutory deadlines and procedural requirements. Please note that this information does not constitute legal advice, and reading this website does not form an attorney-client relationship.
Liability frequently falls upon the negligent motorist, but commercial property owners can also share legal responsibility. Drivers must navigate parking structures at safe speeds and yield to pedestrians entering or exiting retail spaces. Additionally, commercial property owners owe a duty under Florida premises liability principles to maintain safe grounds. Property owners can be held accountable if substandard garage lighting, obscured blind corners, missing stop signs, or poorly planned pedestrian paths contributed to the collision. Jeffrey S. Altman investigates maintenance records, commercial site plans, and surveillance footage to identify every responsible party.
Yes, you may still be entitled to financial recovery even if you were crossing outside a designated crosswalk. Under Florida's modified comparative fault law (Fla. Stat. § 768.81), an injured pedestrian can recover damages as long as their share of responsibility does not exceed 50 percent. While Fla. Stat. § 316.130 requires pedestrians to yield when crossing outside marked crosswalks, motorists retain an ongoing legal duty to maintain vigilance and avoid striking individuals on the roadway. Jeffrey S. Altman and The Altman Law Firm examine driver speed, phone records, and sightlines to demonstrate that driver negligence substantially caused the collision.
Under Fla. Stat. § 316.130(7), drivers approaching marked crosswalks or intersections must yield the right-of-way and stop to permit a pedestrian to cross safely. Furthermore, Fla. Stat. § 316.130(15) requires all motorists to exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians on any roadway, give audible warnings with a horn when necessary, and practice heightened caution when observing children or confused persons near a street. Passing another vehicle stopped at a crosswalk or failing to yield constitutes a direct breach of statutory safety rules and serves as evidence of driver negligence.
Yes, your personal auto policy usually provides initial medical coverage. Under Florida Statutes § 627.736, if you own an insured motor vehicle or reside with a qualifying family member who does, your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays 80 percent of necessary medical costs up to $10,000, regardless of fault. To qualify for PIP benefits, you must seek medical care within 14 days of the incident. If you do not own a vehicle or reside with an insured relative, you may claim PIP through the at-fault vehicle. The Altman Law Firm assists injured pedestrians in identifying all applicable insurance policies to pursue full compensation.
If you are struck by a vehicle, take these immediate actions to protect your health and potential legal claim: 1. Move out of the flow of traffic if physically possible and call 911 to request police and emergency medical services. 2. Undergo a full medical evaluation immediately, ensuring compliance with Florida's 14-day PIP treatment window under Fla. Stat. § 627.736. 3. Gather driver details, license plate numbers, insurance information, and names of eyewitnesses. 4. Take photographs of your injuries, the vehicle, and roadway conditions. 5. Consult with The Altman Law Firm before providing any recorded statements to insurance adjusters.
Florida motorists owe pedestrians a strict legal duty of care under Fla. Stat. § 316.130. Drivers must yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping completely, whenever a pedestrian is lawfully crossing within a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. In addition, Florida law explicitly prohibits drivers from overtaking and passing any vehicle that has stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross safely. When a driver fails to yield due to distraction, speeding, or failing to check a crosswalk before turning, The Altman Law Firm uses traffic cameras, black box data, and witness statements to establish the driver's breach of duty.
If you do not own a motor vehicle, your medical bills are addressed through a priority structure under Florida's No-Fault Law (Fla. Stat. § 627.736). First, if you reside with a relative who owns an insured vehicle, you are generally covered under their Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy. Second, if no resident relative owns an insured car, you may claim PIP coverage directly through the auto insurer of the vehicle that struck you. Additional costs exceeding PIP limits may be sought through the at-fault motorist's bodily injury liability policy. The Altman Law Firm assists injured pedestrians in identifying all available insurance coverage.
Yes. Crossing outside of a marked crosswalk does not automatically prevent you from pursuing compensation. While Fla. Stat. § 316.130 requires pedestrians to yield the right-of-way outside designated crossings, drivers still maintain a legal duty to exercise due care and avoid hitting pedestrians. Under Florida's modified comparative fault law (Fla. Stat. § 768.81), an injured pedestrian may recover damages as long as their share of fault does not exceed 50 percent. Jeffrey S. Altman and The Altman Law Firm thoroughly examine driver speed, visibility, and distracted driving evidence to establish motorist liability.
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