If you or someone you love was struck by a vehicle in Tampa, the road ahead, medically and financially, can feel uncertain fast. A Tampa pedestrian accident lawyer at Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers is ready to stand in your corner, pursue every available dollar, and give you honest answers from day one. Call us at (813) 422-7772 for a free consultation.
Why Tampa Pedestrian Accidents Demand Serious Legal Action
Tampa's streets see a significant volume of pedestrian traffic. From Bayshore Boulevard to the crosswalks near Ybor City, people walk alongside fast-moving cars every day. When a driver fails to yield, runs a red light, or simply isn't paying attention, the results can be devastating.
Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, and long recovery periods are common outcomes, and they come with real financial weight: lost income, rising medical costs, and a life that looks very different than it did before.
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers has recovered more than $200,000,000 in total compensation for injury victims across Florida. Our attorneys bring more than 60 years of collective legal experience to each case.
Additionally, our founding partner Mark S. Roman is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar, one of the highest credentials an attorney can hold in this state. That background shapes how we approach every pedestrian case we take on.
What Makes Pedestrian Accident Cases Different in Florida?
Pedestrian accident cases in Florida follow different legal rules than standard car accident claims, and those differences can significantly affect how much you recover and whether you can recover at all.
Florida's Comparative Negligence Rule
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system. If a court finds you were partially at fault for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
If you're found more than 50% at fault, you lose the right to recover anything. Insurance companies know this rule well, and they often use it strategically, looking for any evidence that suggests you share the blame, whether you were jaywalking, wearing dark clothing at night, or distracted by your phone.
Personal Injury Protection and Pedestrian Coverage
Florida requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, coverage. What many people don't realize is that as a pedestrian, you may be able to access PIP benefits through your own auto insurance policy, even though you weren't in a vehicle when the accident happened.
Identifying every available source of coverage is one of the first things we do when we take on a case.
What Damages May Be Available to You
A pedestrian accident claim can seek compensation for:
- Emergency and ongoing medical expenses
- Lost income and reduced future earning capacity
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Damaged personal property
- Punitive damages in cases involving reckless or grossly negligent conduct
Each of these categories requires documentation and legal support to pursue effectively.
The Injuries Pedestrians Sustain Are Often Severe
Unlike vehicle occupants, pedestrians have no protection when a car strikes them. The human body absorbs the full force of the impact, and the injuries that result are often among the most serious our attorneys see.
Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are particularly common. Even a relatively low-speed collision can cause a person's head to strike the pavement, resulting in a concussion, bleeding on the brain, or lasting cognitive damage. Recovery from a TBI can span months or years, and some people never fully return to the way they were before.
Orthopedic and Internal Injuries
Spinal cord injuries, fractured pelvis, shattered leg and hip bones, and internal organ damage are also frequent outcomes. Many of these injuries require multiple surgeries and extended rehabilitation.
Tampa General Hospital's Level I Trauma Center and St. Joseph's Hospital are both equipped to treat the most acute cases, but the recovery that follows discharge is long, expensive, and physically demanding.
The Psychological Impact
What often gets overlooked is the psychological toll. Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety about walking near traffic, and depression are real consequences for pedestrian accident survivors.
These aren't minor side effects. They affect your ability to work, maintain relationships, and engage with the daily routines you relied on before. When we calculate what a case is worth, we factor in the full picture of how the accident has affected your life, not just the emergency room bill.
Why You Shouldn't Handle This Alone
Handling a pedestrian accident claim without an attorney puts you at a serious disadvantage from the start, and insurance companies count on that.
The Insurance Company Has a Strategy
The insurer representing the at-fault driver is not working in your interest. Their adjusters are trained to limit payouts, and they may contact you quickly after the accident, sometimes before you fully understand the extent of your injuries.
Accepting an early settlement offer, or making statements without legal guidance, can permanently reduce what you're able to recover. Once you sign a release, there's no going back.
Building a Case Takes More Than a Police Report
A knowledgeable attorney knows how to gather and preserve the evidence that gives your claim real strength:
- Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras
- Accident reconstruction reports
- Witness statements taken before memories fade
- Complete medical records linking your injuries to the crash
- Documentation of lost income and future financial impact
That evidence builds a clear picture of what happened and who bears responsibility.
Courtroom Readiness Matters
Insurance companies respond differently when they know your attorney is prepared to take a case to trial. Founding partner Mark S. Roman's Board Certification in Civil Trial Law reflects a real courtroom track record. That preparation often produces better outcomes at the negotiating table, too.
If you were injured in a Tampa pedestrian accident and aren't sure what your case is worth, call Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers at (813) 422-7772 for a free consultation. You'll get honest answers, not a sales pitch.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Tampa
The hours and days after a pedestrian accident matter more than most people realize. What you do, or don't do, can have a direct effect on your case. Here's what to keep in mind:
- Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask injury symptoms, and conditions like internal bleeding or a traumatic brain injury may not be obvious right away.
- Document the scene if you're able. Photos of the vehicle, the roadway, traffic signals, and your injuries can become valuable evidence.
- Get the driver's information and gather contact details from any witnesses who saw the crash.
- Report the accident to law enforcement. A police report creates an official record of the incident.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before speaking with an attorney.
If your injuries prevent you from doing any of these things, that's understandable. Our team can often fill in the gaps through investigation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Florida?
For most pedestrian accident cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in court. Waiting too long can mean losing the right to pursue compensation entirely, regardless of how strong your case is.
Two years may feel like plenty of time, but building a strong case takes time. Evidence disappears. Witnesses move on. Medical records need to be gathered and reviewed. The sooner you speak with one of our attorneys, the more options you'll have.
The Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Difference
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers isn't a firm that treats pedestrian accident cases as routine files to process. We bring measurable credentials, real case results, and a client experience that people remember for the right reasons.
Credentials That Reflect Real Commitment
Our attorneys have earned recognition that goes beyond general practice:
- Super Lawyers designations across the firm
- Membership in the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums
- 10.0 Superb client rating on Avvo
- A+ rating and full accreditation from the Better Business Bureau
Results That Speak Directly to What We Do
As mentioned, our attorneys have recovered more than $200,000,000 for injury victims across Florida. One result particularly relevant to pedestrian cases: we secured a $3,000,000 judgment for a pedestrian injured in a school bus hit-and-run, and that effort contributed to the passage of a claims bill by the Florida State Legislature.
What Our Clients Say
Client C.M. shared:
Choosing John Austin made all the difference. He fought tirelessly to ensure that everything I endured was recognized and fairly compensated, and that level of dedication is something I will never forget.
With more than 1,200 five-star Google reviews, the feedback we receive consistently points to the same things: clear communication, genuine care, and outcomes that reflect the full weight of what our clients went through.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accident Claims in Tampa
How much does it cost to hire a pedestrian accident attorney?
There are no upfront fees when you hire Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we recover money for you. Our fee comes as a percentage of the settlement or verdict we obtain. If we don't win, you don't owe us anything.
This arrangement means every client, regardless of financial situation, can access skilled legal representation from day one.
What if the driver who hit me didn't have insurance?
If the at-fault driver had no insurance or insufficient coverage, you may still have options. Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, or UIM coverage, may apply. Florida law allows pedestrians to access UIM benefits through their own auto policy in some situations.
Our team will review every available coverage source before concluding what's available to you.
How long does a pedestrian accident case take to resolve?
Some cases settle in a matter of months. Others take longer, particularly when injuries are severe, liability is disputed, or insurance companies delay. We set realistic expectations from the start and keep you updated throughout the process.
Our goal is always to resolve your case efficiently while making sure the outcome reflects the true impact of what you've been through.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
Under Florida's comparative negligence law, being partly at fault doesn't automatically end your case. You may still recover compensation, but your total award would be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if a jury finds you 20% at fault, you'd receive 80% of the total damages.
What matters is gathering strong evidence to accurately establish what happened and who bears the greater share of responsibility.
Can a family member file a claim if a loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident?
Yes. Florida's wrongful death statute allows certain family members, typically a surviving spouse, children, or parents, to pursue a claim when a loved one dies due to someone else's negligence. These cases involve different legal standards and damage categories than personal injury claims.
Our attorneys have handled wrongful death cases and can walk your family through what that process looks like for your specific situation.
Ready to Talk? Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Is Here
Attorney and Founder
Pedestrian accidents leave real marks, physically, financially, and in ways that take time to fully surface. If someone else's carelessness put you in this position, Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers wants to help you hold them accountable and build the strongest possible case for your recovery.
The pedestrian accident lawyers in Tampa at our firm have the courtroom credentials, the case results, and the client commitment to take your claim seriously from the very first call.
Call (813) 422-7772 today for a free case evaluation. There's no obligation, no upfront cost, and no pressure. Just straightforward answers from a team that knows what's at stake.
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers: 401 E Jackson St Suite 3319, Tampa, FL 33602
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits.