Our firm recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of a pedestrian who was struck by a car while using a marked crosswalk in Miami Beach. She was lawfully crossing when she was hit by a driver who failed to yield. As a result of the impact, she was transported by emergency responders to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where she underwent extensive orthopedic surgeries. We are grateful that she survived, but her injuries are life-changing and her road to recovery will be long and painful.
Unfortunately, this incident is not isolated. South Florida has become notorious for distracted driving, a dangerous trend exacerbated in dense, pedestrian-friendly areas like South Beach. These neighborhoods are great for walking and biking, yet they're also heavily trafficked by vehicles—many of which are operated by drivers who are texting, relying on GPS, or simply not paying attention. Add to that a steady stream of tourists unfamiliar with local streets, and it's a perfect storm for pedestrian accidents.
At the intersection where this happened, there's even a sign specifically telling drivers they need to stop for pedestrians. Despite the additional warning, the defendant still failed to avoid our client.
The law in Florida is clear: drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks. But all too often, that doesn't happen. Pedestrians have little protection when a car fails to stop—and the consequences are often catastrophic.