Hit By a Car as a Pedestrian? Here’s What To Do
Posted on: June 26, 2025Most people walk for fun, fitness, or convenience—and it isn’t seen as a particularly dangerous activity. Being a pedestrian hit by a car can (literally) knock you sideways. Without the protection of a vehicle around you, pedestrian accidents are often far more serious, even at low speeds. The injuries are often serious and sometimes fatal.
But just like in any car accident, you still have rights. If you were injured while walking—whether in a crosswalk, on the sidewalk, or crossing the road—you may be entitled to compensation. And the steps you take next can make a big difference in both your recovery and your case.
At Beers & Gordon, we’ve helped many pedestrians in your position—people who were just trying to cross the road safely when everything changed in an instant. This guide will walk you through what to do after a pedestrian accident, what your rights are, and how to protect yourself legally and financially.
Even if you think the accident wasn’t “that bad,” it’s important to take the right steps now.
Take Pedestrian Accidents Seriously
When you’re hit by a car as a pedestrian, you’re completely exposed—no seatbelt, no airbags, no metal frame to protect you. Even a car going 10 or 15 miles per hour can cause serious harm.
Some injuries are obvious right away, like broken bones or deep cuts. Others, like head injuries, internal bleeding, or soft tissue damage, may not show symptoms until hours or even days later. You might feel sore, dizzy, or just “off,” and think it’s nothing—but these could be signs of something more serious.
That’s why it’s so important to get medical care after any pedestrian accident, even if you think you’re okay. Not only does this protect your health, but it also creates a medical record that may be important if you decide to pursue a claim.
What To Do After a Pedestrian Accident
If you’ve just been hit by a car, your first priority is your safety—preparing for your case should be your second. The aftermath of an accident can be chaotic, and it’s easy to overlook steps that could later affect your health, your legal rights, or your ability to get compensation. Whether the accident just happened or it’s been a few days, here’s what to do next:
- Move to a safe area. If you’re able, get out of the road and away from further harm.
- Call 911. In Florida, crashes involving injuries or death must be reported. You’ll want a police report on file, and emergency responders can check you for injuries — even ones you may not feel right away.
- Exchange information. Get the driver’s name, contact info, license plate number, and insurance details. Do not admit fault or discuss details at the scene.
- Document the scene. Take photos of the car, your injuries, the crosswalk or roadway, and anything else that might help tell the story of what happened. If there is an issue where you were when struck, take a photo of any evidence on the ground, such as a dropped item or anything depicting the point of impact.
- Talk to witnesses. If anyone saw the accident, ask for their name and contact information. Their perspective could be important later.
- Seek medical treatment. Even if you feel okay, get checked out. Some injuries—like head trauma or internal damage—don’t show up right away.
- Contact a pedestrian accident attorney. Insurance companies don’t always have your best interests in mind. An attorney can protect your rights, gather evidence, and make sure you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
Wondering if you have a case? Take our quiz to find out.
If you’ve been hit by a car while walking, you may be facing more than just physical injuries. Medical bills, missed work, and emotional stress can pile up quickly—and you may be wondering who’s going to pay for all of it.
The truth is, even though you weren’t in a vehicle, you may still be entitled to compensation. Depending on the circumstances of the accident and the severity of your injuries, you could recover money for:
- Medical expenses – including hospital visits, physical therapy, surgery, and future treatment
- Lost wages – if you’ve had to miss work or are unable to return to your job
- Pain and suffering – for the physical pain and long-term effects of your injuries
- Emotional distress – including anxiety, PTSD, or trauma related to the accident
- Loss of enjoyment of life – if your injuries prevent you from doing things you used to enjoy
You don’t have to figure out the value of your case on your own. A pedestrian accident attorney can help calculate your damages, deal with the insurance companies, and make sure you aren’t left with the financial burden of someone else’s mistake.
“What If It Was My Fault?”
Florida is a No-Fault insurance state, which means that after most accidents, each person’s own insurance pays for their medical bills and lost wages—regardless of who caused the crash. This is known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage, and most policies cover up to $10,000.
But pedestrian accidents often involve serious injuries—far more than PIP was designed to handle. If your medical costs and other losses exceed your PIP limits (and they often do in pedestrian cases), you can step outside the No-Fault system and file a claim against the driver’s insurance.
That’s where comparative negligence comes in.
Under Florida law, fault is divided between the parties involved. If both the driver and the pedestrian contributed to the crash, responsibility is shared—and any compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault, your compensation could be reduced by that amount.
However, if you’re found to be more than 50% at fault, you may not be able to recover anything at all.
That’s why it’s so important not to assume blame or accept an insurance company’s version of events. Fault isn’t always clear, and even if you think you made a mistake, there may be other factors—like distracted driving or speeding—that shift the responsibility back to the driver.
Why You Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrian accidents often involve serious injuries, high medical bills, and complicated questions about who was at fault. And while insurance companies may act like they’re trying to help, their real goal is to pay out as little as possible—or deny your claim altogether.
That’s where a lawyer comes in.
An experienced pedestrian accident attorney can:
- Investigate the full circumstances of the accident, including gathering surveillance footage, witness statements, and crash reports.
- Challenge unfair fault determinations that could reduce or eliminate your compensation. We have won cases where the police investigation showed fault on our client, and we were able to prove the investigators were wrong.
- Document and calculate all of your damages, including medical expenses, lost income, and long-term impact.
- Negotiate with the insurance companies so you don’t have to.
- Take your case to court if a fair settlement isn’t offered.
At Beers & Gordon, we’ve handled many pedestrian accident cases across Central Florida. We know what to look for, how to fight back against lowball offers, and how to build a strong case that protects your rights—even if the other side is trying to blame you.
Guidance, Protection, Peace of Mind
After a pedestrian accident, you shouldn’t have to deal with insurance companies, medical bills, or legal questions on your own—especially when you’re trying to recover. At Beers & Gordon, we’re here to take that burden off your shoulders.
When you work with us, you get:
- Experienced advocates who understand the complexities of pedestrian accidents
- Personal attention — not a case number, but real support from real attorneys. You will get your questions answered at all times.
- Tough negotiation and trial experience, so you’re covered whether your case settles or goes to court
- A local law firm that knows the Florida legal landscape — and how to get results here
If you’ve been hit by a car while walking, don’t wait to get help. The sooner you reach out, the more we can do to protect your health, your case, and your future.
Contact Beers & Gordon today for a free consultation. There’s no pressure and no fee unless we win for you.
Jim Gordon
Jim Gordon earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska in 1997, and two years later began working at a firm in Orlando handling insurance defense matters on cases involving vehicle accidents, negligence, product liability, and more. He established Beers & Gordon P.A. with David Beers in 2009 to represent the rights of people injured because of negligence. He is a member of the invitation-only National Trial Lawyers organization and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.