Miami Car Accident Lawyer for Public & Private Driveway Accidents and Insurance Claims

Injured on a driveway or vehicle entrance? In Miami, the Personal Injury Staff at the Perazzo Law Firm's Miami and North Miami Beach Offices represent Accident Victims from a vast range of incidents involving motor vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists that result in personal injury, damage, or loss following an accident that takes place on a public or private driveway. It's safe to say that residential areas such as suburbs and gated communities, as well as commercial areas such as parking lots and shopping malls, are danger points for pedestrians and bicycle riders whenever they approach a driveway. Sadly, pedestrians and bike riders alike may be unaware of the dangers that lurk when a car or truck backs out of, pulls out or pulls into a driveway, whether in the city or the suburbs. See PEDESTRIAN and BICYCLE Accidents.

Backing out of a private or public driveway can be extremely dangerous to pedestrians, bike riders, and even other motorists if certain driving precautions are not taken into account when backing out of a driveway. Small children and elderly folk are at higher risks of being run-over by motorists backing out of a driveway. The reason for this is that small children are hard to spot and the elderly take long to get out of vehicle's way when backing out. Though some accidents involving vehicles backing out of a driveway may not be so severe, others may end in fractures, head trauma, or even wrongful death, depending on the individual struck by a car or truck backing out of a driveway. Automobiles are required to have reverse lights that function properly, whereas trucks are required to have an beeping sound that alerts pedestrians and cyclists that a truck is backing out of a driveway. Many times, delivery trucks may be too big to spot smaller children, whom may unfamiliar with of the sounds of a truck backing up, as well as unattended by adult supervision. A small child riding his/her bicycle may be pedaling quickly towards a driveway and not spot a car or truck backing out of a driveway. Though many motorists may back out slowly and carefully, many times the bicycle rider's reaction time is not enough to prevent a collision with the car or truck backing out of a driveway. Trucks that back out of a driveway, especially those that back-out of a driveway that is adjacent to a garage, have greater difficulting spotting pedestrians and bicycle riders, basically given the height of the trucks cab. The extent of injuries suffered by a pedestrian or cyclist upon being struck by a truck backing out of a driveway may result in minor to serious injuries, depending on the speed and the part of the vehicle that strikes a pedestrian or cyclist. A pedestrian that is struck by a rear fender, may suffer a bruised or fractured hip. Whereas an elderly pedestrian struck by a truck fender or bumper may suffer more serious injuries such as a broken hip, shoulder, or even head trauma. It's important to take note that driveways tend to slope downward and thus cause an elderly pedestrian hit by a truck backing out of a driveway to fall more easily as the surface is unlevel.  Pedestrians and cyclists must always approach driveways with extreme caution in order to avoid an accident. 

Not all motorists back out of a driveway even though backing into a driveway represents more alert and fine-tuned driving skills. Cars and trucks that pull out of a driveway headfirst are less likely to be involved in an incident that results in personal injury to a pedestrian or bicycle rider. Nevertheless, sometimes a car or truck driver may look one way to check for an oncoming bicycle or pedestrian but fail to look the other way and not spot an individual walking or riding towards their vehicle as it pulls out of the driveway and into the street. Public establishments that have a constant flow of delivery trucks pulling in and out of driveways should be equipped with a sound and visual alert to let pedestrians and bike riders know that a vehicle is entering or exiting a driveway. Public spaces must take necessary precautions to insure that pedestrians and cyclists are not at risk when they approach a commercial driveway. Though accidents are less likely when a vehicle is pulling out of a driveway head first, the injuries may be more serious to youngsters and cyclists. This is due to inertia and speed. Pedestrians and cyclist must approach driveways with extremer care in order to prevent being struck by a vehicle as it exits a driveway. 

Pulling into a driveway may be just as dangerous to pedestrians and cyclist as backing or pulling out of a driveway. Many times, motorists are more concerned with a vehicle approaching them from behind as they get ready to turn-into a driveway, and not notice a pedestrian or cyclist approaching along the sidewalk on their driveway. When this happens, pedestrians and cyclists may suffer injury or property damage. It's important to point out that many pedestrians are not always alert to what's going on around them when they are busy looking down at their phones. The same holds true for motorists. Cell-phone use while operating motor vehicles is practically inevitable by most motorists and leads to a number of accidents involving pedestrians and bicycle riders. Small children and the elderly are extremely high risk when walking past or approaching driveways, especially near commercial areas where trucks are constantly pulling into loading bays or merchandise depots. Pedestrian and bicycle accidents that stem from vehicles crashing into them when pulling into a driveway may result in fractures, broken limbs, or even head trauma.

What to do if you were crashed into and hurt by a car or truck pulling into or backing out of a public or private driveway in Miami-Dade or Broward County.

First of all, don't move. Secondly, check for injuries and if physically possible, alert the proper authorities. Thirdly, check for eyewitnesses and get their contact information. Fourthly, get the vehicle operator's license and registration and any insurance information. After the proper authorities have arrived and a report is filed, seek medical attention at a local healthcare facility. Keep all medical records and costs receipts. Lastly, contact Perazzo Law to determine whether an accident claim can be presented and compensation sought. 

If you, a family member, or loved one was hurt by a car or truck exiting or entering a driveway in any of the Miami-Dade or Broward County Cities We Serve, the Perazzo Law Firm's Miami and North Miami Beach Personal Injury Staff is ready to handling your Personal Injury Claim for Compensation. Contact Perazzo Law ONLINE for a FREE initial consultation.

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