Pedestrian accidents are not an uncommon occurrence in Georgia. As a pedestrian, when walking down the road, you expect that the drivers will be watching out for you. Unfortunately, most drivers do not always watch out for pedestrians.
Getting hit by a vehicle while on foot can be a traumatic experience, and you may suffer severe injuries that will alter your life. If you are in a pedestrian accident, you must hire a skilled pedestrian accident attorney in Decatur to help you get the compensation you deserve.
At The Super Lawyer, we have skilled Decatur pedestrian accident lawyers who can help you or your loved one with your pedestrian accident claim. We understand that going against an insurance company alone can be daunting, and you need time to recuperate, so we offer skilled legal representation for pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis.
Our Decatur car accident lawyers have experience working with pedestrian accident victims and only charge you when we win your case. Call us at 404-574-4308 today and let us evaluate your case for free.
Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
There are multiple reasons why pedestrian accidents happen. According to the Georgia Governer’s Office of Highway Safety, 236 pedestrians were fatally injured in 2019 in motor vehicle traffic crashes. In 2020, Georgia recorded a 14% increase in pedestrian accident deaths.
Here are common causes of pedestrian accidents:
Failure to Yield Right of Way
Failing to yield the right of way is a common cause of pedestrian accidents. Right-of-way laws aim to prevent accidents and provide order in places where pedestrians are crossing roadways or traffic is merging. You must yield the right of way to avoid causing a collision or pedestrian accident.
Speeding
Driving at high speed significantly affects the time you will take to slow down or stop. As a result, speeding is a common cause of pedestrian accidents.
Distracted Driving
Georgia has a hands-free driving law that demands all drivers should not hold a phone while driving. This law is meant to help reduce distracted driving but does not stop some drivers from using their phones while driving. Distracted driving contributes to pedestrian accidents. All it takes to cause a pedestrian accident is a single second of driving while distracted.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a common cause of pedestrian accidents. Driving under the influence often results in a driver’s inability to stay on the right lane or the road, and they will likely have a delayed reaction time.
Poor Lighting
Poor lighting may hinder drivers from having a clear sight of a pedestrian throughway or nearby sidewalk, especially during specific weather conditions or at night. A driver must slow down in a poorly lit area where there may be pedestrians. Otherwise, they may cause an accident.
What You Should Do After Being in a Pedestrian Accident?
You may be scared and confused after you are involved in an accident. Consider contacting The Super Lawyer if you are ever involved in a pedestrian accident. Here is what you should do when you get in a pedestrian accident:
Seek Medical Assistance Immediately
You must seek immediate medical attention after an accident. Even if you cannot see physical injuries, a doctor must run medical tests to confirm you have not suffered any internal injuries.
Document Your Injuries
You must document any injuries you suffer in a pedestrian accident. You can later use these as evidence of the severity of your accident. Keep copies of medical bills and records of your treatment.
Call the Police
The first thing you should do after confirming you are okay is call the police to the accident scene. It is essential that the police assess the accident scene and take down a report, as it can help you build a strong claim.
Do Not Discuss Fault
Do not discuss fault at the scene or with the motorist’s insurance company. Instead, take down the motorist’s information such as their name, phone number, address, insurance company, license number, and policy information. You can use this information to track them when filing your claim.
Contact Your Insurance Company and a Lawyer
After getting involved in a pedestrian accident, ensure you immediately contact your insurance company.
It’s always in your best interest to call an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Decatur after a pedestrian-related crash. At The Super Lawyer, we can help evaluate your case to determine the party at fault, build a strong case, ensure you file your claim before the time limit, and fight aggressively for the compensation you deserve.
How Do You Determine Liability or Fault in a Pedestrian Accident in Georgia?
Without the help of an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer, especially where multiple parties are involved, it can be challenging to determine the party at fault in a pedestrian accident in Georgia. Call us at 404-574-4308 and let us investigate your case and collect evidence to determine liability.
Here are the elements of negligence used to determine liability in a pedestrian accident in Georgia:
- Duty of care: In Georgia, all drivers must exercise a reasonable duty of care to avoid hurting road users like pedestrians. This means following traffic laws and acting how a reasonable person would.
- Breach of duty: You have to demonstrate to the court how the liable party breached their duty of care. Examples include reckless driving and drunk driving.
- Causation: You have to demonstrate how the defendant’s negligence directly caused the accident.
- Damages: You have to prove the accident resulted in harm or losses.
How Can a Decatur Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Assist With My Claim?
Getting involved in a pedestrian accident can be traumatic and significantly change your life’s trajectory. While you can file for a pedestrian injury claim, going against insurance companies can be challenging and frustrating. Our Decatur pedestrian accident lawyers can help make this process more straightforward as we are well versed with the law and will guide you through the legal process.
Here is how The Super Lawyer’s pedestrian accident attorneys can assist with your claim:
Case Preparation
Our pedestrian accident attorney in Decatur will help you prepare your case by collecting evidence that can build a successful case. We will also cover all the paperwork and other required documents to file your claim. You can take this time to focus on recuperating while we closely work with other professionals to ensure your claim contains all the details of the losses and injuries you may have sustained.
Settlement Negotiations
Insurance companies can be ruthless and will try different tactics, including offering you the lowest payment possible. Our skilled pedestrian accident lawyers in Decatur have experience working with similar cases and will negotiate on your behalf, ensuring you are awarded the compensation you deserve.
Trial Preparation & Representation
If we cannot reach a fair settlement with the insurance company, we will prepare you for trial and then represent you in court. You do not have to worry about being lowballed or going against an insurance company alone in court.
The Time Limit for Filing a Pedestrian Injury Claim in Georgia?
If you are involved in a pedestrian accident in Georgia, you are entitled to compensation for any losses and injuries you may suffer. There is a deadline for filing your pedestrian injury claim, also known as a statute of limitations.
Failure to file your lawsuit within the set period means you will not receive compensation and will not get another chance to file your claim. Georgia has a two-year time limit after the time of the accident for you to file your pedestrian injury claim.
How Much Will a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Cost?
At The Super Lawyer, we offer our clients a contingency fee agreement. You will not incur any costs when consulting our Decatur pedestrian accident lawyer. We will bill you after winning your pedestrian accident case. To learn about our contingency fee agreement, call us at 404-574-4308 today.
Hurt in a Pedestrian Accident? Schedule a Free Consultation With The Super Lawyer!
Navigating a pedestrian accident case alone can be challenging, especially when you’ve suffered severe injuries. The skilled pedestrian accident lawyers at The Super Lawyer can make this process easier. We will evaluate your case and help you build a solid case to ensure the insurance company fully compensates you.
At The Super Lawyer, we are well versed with auto accident laws and have experience negotiating with insurance companies. Have you recently suffered losses and injuries in a pedestrian accident? Would you like legal representation you can trust in Decatur?
Let our experienced pedestrian accident lawyers in Decatur evaluate your case and help you receive your rightful compensation. Call us at 404-574-4308 today to book a free consultation.
