Georgia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

With distracted driving on the rise, pedestrian accidents are occurring more and more in Georgia, particularly in highly commercial areas with dense populations. When someone on foot is hit by a vehicle, they can face very serious and sometimes life-threatening injuries—even if the crash occurred at a low speed. And when children are the victims, the results can be tragic. If you have been in a pedestrian accident, you have legal options. Take the time to sit down with a Georgia pedestrian accident lawyer.

Our lawyers have over 20 years of experience dealing with cases just like yours throughout Georgia. We understand how debilitating a pedestrian accident can be—because we have seen it firsthand. Let us put our experience to work and help you maximize the amount you recover for your accident. Call us at (888) 553-0419 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.

Who is most at risk for pedestrian accidents?

Anyone who walks on the roads in Georgia is at risk of being involved in a pedestrian accident. But, children are at an increased risk because they are harder for drivers to see, and because and children don’t always know when it’s appropriate to cross the street. They may assume that a car sees them or will stop for them when they shouldn’t. Children are also slower to cross the street and may misjudge how fast a vehicle is approaching. In general, smaller and younger children face higher risk than older teens and adults.

Elderly individuals also have an increased risk of being involved in a pedestrian accident. Unfortunately, they are most likely to be involved in a fatal crash as well.

But cars can hit anyone, no matter what your age. Even though vehicles are typically required to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, they won’t always follow the rules of the road. And distracted or speeding drivers may not see pedestrians in time at all. And all victims, including children and their families, have rights in these cases.

What are my rights in a pedestrian accident case in Georgia?

If you were hit by a car, Georgia state law gives you the same rights as if you were a passenger in a car-on-car accident. In other words, you have a right to make an insurance claim against the at-fault party (usually the driver). And, if necessary, you can take your case to the courts to get the money you need.

But pedestrian accidents are also different in some key ways:

The driver is often at fault. In a normal vehicle accident, it can be hard to determine fault. But when a pedestrian is hit, the fault often lies with the vehicle driver for not stopping or paying attention.
You will often get blamed. Both drivers and insurers have an incentive to try to blame you—the “He came out of nowhere!” argument. This can be very hard to go through, and it helps to have a lawyer serving as go-between so you don’t have to talk to insurers directly.
The injuries are often much more severe. Many pedestrians face severe life-changing injuries. From a legal perspective, this makes it important to take time to get ongoing treatment and see how your injuries are responding. You want your financial recovery to pay for your long-term costs, not just what’s happened already.

The Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Georgia

Unfortunately, driver distraction is the number one reason that pedestrian accidents occur. That means that the vast majority of pedestrian injuries and deaths could have been avoided if the driver had just paid attention.

Other common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

When drivers drive too fast for the situation, it can result in collisions. These include environments where pedestrians are nearby. Speeding decreases your ability to react effectively to dangerous conditions as well. Speeding also increases the damages that a pedestrian will be seriously injured or killed. In fact, if a driver hits a pedestrian going 40 miles per hour, that pedestrian has a 90% chance of being killed because of the impact.
Ignoring traffic signals or signs. When a driver doesn’t follow traffic signals, it leads to confusion for everyone around them, including pedestrians. Individuals on walkways and in crosswalks expect drivers to follow the rules of the road, and when they don’t, accidents occur.
Failure to check behind a vehicle. Children are often injured because they are behind cars that have been put in reverse. Merely backing up out of the driveway harms more children than you might think.
Drunk drivers. When a driver is intoxicated, their ability to react quickly to people and objects that appear in front of them is significantly decreased. They also do not pick up on things around them as well either. Slow response time combined with inattention can be deadly.
Ignoring warnings around school zones. School buses have stop signs that they use when dropping off or loading up children. These notices are there for a reason, and they should be obeyed. Drivers who ignore warning signs or fail to slow down in school zones are also more likely to be involved in pedestrian accidents.

All of these factors have one thing in common: they’re the driver’s fault—not yours.

Remember, pedestrians almost always have the right-of-way in Georgia if they are at an intersection or in a marked crosswalk. That means that drivers are supposed to yield to you in most situations. And even without a crosswalk, drivers need to pay attention. If a driver fails to stop for you, they’re often the ones who are responsible for your injuries.

Can I still recover money damages if I was jaywalking?

Jaywalking occurs when a pedestrian crosses the road outside of a marked crosswalk or away from an intersection. Jaywalking occurs every day, and it’s technically not illegal under Georgia law. But it does carry two important rules:

When you jaywalk, you are typically required to yield to oncoming traffic.
However, once you have already entered the roadway safely, drivers are supposed to yield to you.

Because of how Georgia pedestrian laws have developed, there are situations where a pedestrian can be at least partly at fault for the accident. Keep in mind, however, that even when you may be somewhat at fault, you may still have a legal case that can help you recover money for your damages. The only way to learn your options for sure is to speak with a Georgia pedestrian accident lawyer.

What financial damages are available in a pedestrian accident case?

Any losses you experience as part of your accident can likely be part of your pedestrian accident case. Every case is different, but some of the most common losses or damage include:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Lost of earning capacity or future earnings
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life

Your pedestrian accident lawyer will be able to help you list out all of your losses for your case—you may not even realize how much your life as changed after your accident.

Talk to a Georgia Pedestrian Lawyer for Free

You don’t have to go through this difficult time by yourself. Our lawyers can help you every step of the way. Don’t go up against a driver’s insurance company alone. Call us at (888) 553-0419 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.