Peachtree Corners Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Pedestrian Accident Statistics in Georgia

Pedestrian accidents are a significant problem in Georgia, while pedestrian fatalities in particular have increased sharply of late. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reported nearly 350 pedestrian deaths in one recent year – a 46 percent increase in just three years. More than 1,200 pedestrians lost their lives in Georgia traffic accidents in a recent five-year span, making it one of the worst states for pedestrians. Experts believe this increase may be partly due to a rise in dangerous driver behaviors such as speeding.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Every pedestrian accident is unique, with a specific set of circumstances. However, many pedestrian accidents in Georgia stem from the same handful of contributing factors. Specifically, some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include the following:

The common denominator of all these factors is negligence, meaning someone had a responsibility not to harm the pedestrian and failed in that duty. Depending on the circumstances, the negligent party could be a motorist, a truck driver, a cyclist, or even the municipality responsible for designing and maintaining the roadways. Sometimes, the pedestrian themselves is at least partially to blame for an accident. No matter the cause, a Georgia pedestrian accident lawyer can review your case and help determine who may owe you compensation for your injuries.

Injuries Typically Sustained in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians are especially vulnerable in a collision because they have nothing to absorb the huge force from a motor vehicle, even at low speeds. Consequently, they are likely to suffer debilitating injuries, such as:

Without immediate treatment, many of these injuries can prove life-threatening. In addition to the direct damage, some can worsen into long-term conditions over time, including:

The long-term consequences of severe injuries can make it impossible for accident victims to care for themselves, find gainful employment, or participate in their favorite activities. These effects can lead to mental health conditions that take a further toll on victims’ overall well-being.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident

The immediate aftermath of a pedestrian accident is always overwhelming. However, the things you do in the days and weeks afterward can seriously affect your ability to hold the at-fault party accountable and secure the compensation you need for your ongoing care. Taking as many of the following steps as possible can protect not just your health but also the strength of your personal injury claim:

• Gather evidence– Try to take photos of the vehicle that hit you, the general accident scene, and any visible injuries you suffered. You also want to get the driver’s name, license number, and insurance details.
• Seek medical help– You should still see a doctor even if you weren’t taken to a medical facility from the scene or don’t feel seriously hurt. Common pedestrian accident injuries like concussions and organ damage are not immediately obvious but can become life-threatening if not promptly addressed. Seeing a doctor will also create a medical record of the care you received, its cost, and its relationship to the pedestrian accident.
• Keep important documentation– Hang onto medical bills, pay stubs, and anything else that helps establish the extent of the losses you suffered due to the pedestrian accident. This documentation can prove crucial when negotiating with insurers.
• Stay off social media– While sharing news of your injury or venting your frustrations online might be tempting, it’s best to stay off social media entirely. Insurance companies often monitor accident victims’ feeds, looking for anything that could undercut their claims or allow the insurer to deny liability or reduce its payout.
• Be careful what you say to insurance adjusters– There’s a good chance that you will receive a call from the at-fault driver’s insurance provider soon after the accident. The insurance adjuster might claim they are simply checking in on you or want your account of the accident. They might even make you a settlement offer. But you should remember that an adjuster’s job is to save their employer money, whether by finding reasons to deny claims or getting claimants to accept lowball settlement offers. Watch what you say, and never accept an offer without consulting with a lawyer first.
• Speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Peachtree Corners– The sooner you consult with an experienced personal injury attorney, the better. A lawyer can investigate your case to determine who is liable and how much compensation may be available. They are far better equipped to negotiate a fair settlement with insurers or argue a case in court if a settlement cannot be reached. The sooner you get an attorney involved, the stronger your case will likely be.

How to Prove Negligence After a Pedestrian Accident

Most personal injury claims, including those involving pedestrian accidents, are based on negligence. Negligence is a legal term that means someone failed to exercise a basic level of care and consequently injured another party. To establish that someone owes you compensation for a pedestrian accident, you must prove that they were negligent and at fault for your injuries.

An important thing to understand is that the standard for proving negligence in civil court is lower than the standard for proving guilt in criminal court. Rather than show that the other party is guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt,” you only have to show that it is more likely than not that they are to blame.

Practically speaking, proving negligence in a pedestrian accident case comes down to having strong evidence, such as:

• Police accident reports
• Footage from traffic or security cameras
• Photographs of the accident scene
• Statements from eyewitnesses
• Testimony from expert witnesses such as doctors and crash reconstruction professionals

Unfortunately, critically important evidence can go missing after an accident. A skilled pedestrian accident attorney can secure the evidence you need to support your claim before it’s too late.

Compensation Available in Peachtree Corners Pedestrian Accident Claims

Injured pedestrians are entitled to various compensation from anyone at fault for the accident. Depending on the circumstances, this could include money for: