You Had the Right of Way. Now You Need the Right Attorney.
Florida is one of the most dangerous states in the country for people on foot. Tampa, in particular, has ranked among the deadliest cities for pedestrians in the United States for years running — a reality that puts thousands of Floridians at serious risk every time they step into a crosswalk. If you or someone you love was hit by a car, the physical, financial, and emotional toll can be overwhelming. Our pedestrian accident attorneys represent injured Floridians statewide, and we know exactly how to build the case that gets you what you're owed.
Why Pedestrian Accidents Are Among the Most Serious Injury Cases We Handle
When a vehicle strikes a person on foot, the injuries are rarely minor. Without any protection between the body and a moving car, pedestrians absorb the full force of impact. We regularly represent clients dealing with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, and injuries that permanently alter their ability to work and live independently. The damages in these cases — medical treatment, rehabilitation, lost future earnings, and pain and suffering — can reach into the hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. Getting that full picture requires working with medical and economic experts who can quantify not just what you've already lost, but what this injury will cost you for the rest of your life.
- Traumatic brain injuries and skull fractures
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones, internal organ damage, and soft tissue injuries
- Scarring, disfigurement, and permanent disability
- Psychological trauma, including PTSD
- Loss of future earning capacity and long-term care needs
You Were in the Crosswalk — Here's How We Prove It
Florida law is clear: drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at intersections. When a driver fails to do that, they are liable for the harm they cause. But liability still has to be proven, and the evidence that proves it disappears fast. Traffic camera footage gets overwritten. Skid marks fade. Witnesses move on. That's why the first call you make after a pedestrian accident should be to an attorney who will move immediately to preserve the evidence that establishes exactly what happened.
Our team investigates pedestrian accidents by securing traffic light timing records, surveillance and dashcam footage, accident reconstruction analysis, and witness statements. We build a clear record of fault so that when the insurance company tries to shift blame onto you — and they will try — we're ready. Pedestrian hit by car cases in Florida often involve insurers claiming the pedestrian was distracted, jaywalking, or partially at fault. We know those arguments, and we know how to dismantle them.
Hit and Run? You Still Have a Claim.
One of the most frightening situations a pedestrian accident victim can face is waking up in a hospital without knowing who hit them. Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents happen throughout Tampa and across Florida, and many victims assume that an unidentified driver means no recovery. That is not the case.
Florida's uninsured motorist coverage can apply even when the driver who hit you was never identified. If you carry UM coverage on your own auto policy — or if a family member in your household does — that coverage may be available to compensate you for your injuries. In some cases, additional avenues exist depending on where the accident occurred and what parties may share responsibility. We analyze every possible source of recovery so that a driver who fled the scene doesn't also get to take your future.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Pedestrian Accident?
Florida law allows pedestrian accident victims to recover damages across several categories, and in serious injury cases, those figures add up quickly. Our attorneys work with medical professionals and economic experts to document every element of your loss — past, present, and future.
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment
- Future medical costs: Long-term rehabilitation, assistive devices, home health care, and life care planning
- Lost wages: Income you've already missed while recovering from your injuries
- Lost earning capacity: Compensation for reduced ability to work in the future
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life
- Wrongful death damages: If a family member was killed, compensation for funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of companionship
The insurance company will offer you a number. It will not reflect what your case is actually worth. Our job is to make sure you never settle for less than the full value of what you've lost.
Why Clients Across Florida Choose Our Firm
We have been representing injured Floridians since 1989. Our attorneys include Board Certified specialists, former defense-side lawyers who know how insurance carriers evaluate and fight claims, and a bilingual team that serves Spanish-speaking clients at the partner level. When you work with us, you're not handed off to a paralegal — you're represented by experienced trial attorneys who have handled serious injury cases for decades.
Our firm handles pedestrian accident cases throughout Florida, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota, Lakeland, and Land O' Lakes. If you can't come to us, we come to you — or meet you virtually. We work on contingency, which means you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
Pedestrian Accident Questions, Answered
What should I do immediately after being hit by a car as a pedestrian?
Call 911, get medical attention right away, and document everything you can — photos of the scene, the vehicle, your injuries, and any witnesses. Then contact a pedestrian accident attorney before giving any statement to an insurance company. Evidence disappears quickly, and early legal involvement protects your claim.Who is at fault in a Florida pedestrian accident?
In most cases, the driver bears primary responsibility, especially when the pedestrian was in a crosswalk or following traffic signals. Florida follows a comparative fault system, meaning fault can be shared — but even if you are found partially at fault, you may still recover damages proportional to the driver's share of responsibility.What if the driver who hit me fled the scene?
A hit-and-run pedestrian accident does not necessarily end your right to compensation. Florida uninsured motorist coverage may apply even when the driver is unidentified. We review every available insurance policy and explore all avenues of recovery on your behalf.How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Florida?
Florida's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. Acting quickly matters not just for legal deadlines, but because critical evidence — camera footage, witness memories, physical evidence at the scene — deteriorates fast.What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Florida's modified comparative fault rule allows you to recover damages as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault for the accident. If you bear some responsibility, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault — but you are not automatically barred from recovery. We investigate the facts thoroughly to minimize any fault attributed to you.How much is my pedestrian accident case worth?
Every case is different, but pedestrian accidents involving serious injuries typically carry significant value because the damages are substantial. We work with medical and economic experts to calculate your full losses — current and future medical costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering — so you have a clear, documented picture of what your case is actually worth before any settlement discussion begins.
The Attorneys Handling Your Personal Injury Case
Personal injury litigation at Barbas Nunez Sanders Butler & Hovsepian is led by three attorneys whose backgrounds bring distinct strengths to every case.
Kelly Barcia Nunez
Kelly Barcia Nunez is a Florida Bar Board Certified attorney and founding partner with more than 30 years of litigation experience. Her command of Florida injury law and her direct client communication style have made her one of the firm's most trusted advocates for accident victims.
L. Gray Sanders
L. Gray Sanders spent time on the defense side of civil litigation before joining the firm, which means he approaches every personal injury case understanding exactly how the opposing carrier will evaluate and contest it. That inside knowledge shapes case strategy from the first file review.
Kristen Emerson
Kristen Emerson holds a nursing degree alongside her law license. In personal injury cases involving serious physical injuries, disputed diagnoses, or contested medical causation, her clinical background is a concrete advantage — she understands what happened to your body, not just what the records say.
Talk to a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
Pedestrian accident cases move fast — and so does the evidence that wins them. If you were hit by a car in Tampa or anywhere in Florida, our team is ready to get to work immediately. We offer free consultations, handle all pedestrian injury cases on contingency, and have the experience to take your case as far as it needs to go.