Florida is the 5th deadliest state for pedestrians, and the Tampa Bay metro ranks 8th in the nation (Smart Growth America, Dangerous by Design 2026). In 2023, 780 pedestrians died on Florida roads. If you or a loved one was struck while walking, Suli Law Group fights for justice. Speak with a Florida pedestrian accident lawyer about your legal options.
Why Florida Is So Dangerous for Pedestrians
A lack of sidewalks, high speed limits, and aggressive driving are just a few reasons why Florida has so many pedestrian crashes. Under Florida crosswalk law, Fla. Stat. § 316.130, drivers must yield to pedestrians lawfully within a crosswalk. Drivers approaching a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk cannot pass. But what some may not know is that the law cuts both ways. Pedestrians outside crosswalks must yield to traffic, and stepping suddenly into the path of a car too close to stop can shift fault. With Florida’s new 50% comparative negligence bar under HB 837, a defense attorney’s success in pinning more than half the blame on a pedestrian wipes out recovery, and any blame reduces it.
What We Investigate
- Driver distraction, including cell phone records
- Speed, signal compliance, and DUI evidence
- Crosswalk visibility, lighting, and signage failures
- Surveillance footage from nearby businesses and traffic cameras
- Vehicle data (event data recorders, ADAS systems)
- Government negligence in dangerous road design
Compensation We Pursue
We seek full compensation for:
- Hospitalization
- Surgeries
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Future medical care
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
Why Suli Law Group
Pedestrian cases are complex because insurers immediately try to blame the victim. Founding partner Laura T. Sulisufay is a former insurance defense attorney. She knows every tactic adjusters use to minimize these claims. Our team builds rigorous, evidence-driven cases.
Evidence and witness memory disappear quickly. Don’t wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the right of way at a Florida crosswalk?
Drivers must yield to pedestrians lawfully in a crosswalk, and any driver approaching a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk is prohibited from passing it.
Can I still recover if I wasn't in a crosswalk when I was hit?
Possibly. Pedestrians outside crosswalks must yield to traffic, and Florida’s 50% comparative negligence bar under HB 837 means a defense attorney pinning more than 50% of the blame on you can eliminate recovery.
What evidence matters most in a pedestrian accident case?
Cell phone records, vehicle event data, traffic and business surveillance footage, lighting and signage conditions, and DUI evidence are often decisive. Much of it disappears within days, which is why fast investigation matters.
Can I sue the city or state for a dangerous road or crosswalk?
Yes, government negligence in road or crosswalk design can be part of a claim, though suits against government entities carry their own notice rules and extra pre-suit requirements.
What kinds of compensation can a pedestrian recover?
Hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, future medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and disfigurement are all on the table when a driver fails to yield.
