To every client.

Pedestrians are generally prohibited from walking or biking on Florida highways. However, there are occasions in which you may encounter them while traveling to work, school or other destinations. Therefore, it is important to know what you can do to minimize the risk of a collision that might result in injury or death.

Car trouble can turn a motorist into a pedestrian

If a vehicle breaks down, the driver may need to get out of the car to push it to the side of the road. An individual may also exit his or her vehicle in an effort to determine the cause of the malfunction and possibly fix it. For instance, an individual may prefer to fix a flat tire personally as opposed to calling for emergency assistance.

Impairment may cause a person to wander into traffic

Individuals who are under the influence of drugs, alcohol or other substances may believe that they are impervious to pain. They may also believe that they have the ability to go through, fly over or otherwise magically avoid vehicles coming at them. It’s also possible that a person is walking into traffic hoping to be struck and killed in a motor vehicle accident.

What to do when encountering a highway pedestrian

You have a duty of care to others at all times despite their actions. Therefore, you must make an effort to avoid a collision with anyone who may be in your path. This may be done by changing lanes, coming to a stop or taking other actions to minimize the risk of harm to yourself or others. If you see a person or vehicle on the shoulder, state law may mandate that you move over to the middle lane if possible.

If you are hurt in a motor vehicle accident, you may experience serious injuries such as broken bones, whiplash or a concussion. The person responsible for causing the accident may be liable for any financial losses that you incur as a result of his or her reckless behavior.