Pedestrians are highly vulnerable in the event of an accident. If you were hit by a negligent driver or another party, you could be dealing with painful injuries while struggling to make up for lost income.
After being injured in a pedestrian accident, an Athens personal injury attorney from Bader Law Injury Lawyers may be able to help. You don’t have to let the bills pile up without holding the liable party accountable. You can get a free consultation to learn your legal options today.
Staggering Statistics for Pedestrian Accidents in Athens
In 2021, there were at least 24 deaths in Athens car accidents. Six of those accidents involved pedestrians. (Athens Banner-Herald) That is a staggering figure – one-quarter of the fatal vehicle accident victims in Athens were pedestrians.
The problem isn’t only within Athens. Across the country, an estimated 9,188 pedestrians were killed in vehicle crashes in 2022, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Most of these accidents happened in urban areas, outside of intersections, and at night.
For a free legal consultation with a pedestrian accidents lawyer serving Athens, call (404) 888-8888
What a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Do for You
With injuries from an Athens pedestrian accident, you may have a long and challenging road to recovery. Worrying about medical bills and other expenses while attending to your medical needs can be overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be.
A Athens pedestrian accident lawyer from our team can help you compile a claim while you work on healing. Some of the many tasks an attorney can handle include:
- Gathering information from the accident
- Talking with witnesses
- Reviewing any available video footage
- Examining the circumstances around the accident
- Negotiating with the defendant’s insurance company
- Filing the necessary documents for your claim
- Compiling your medical information and bills
- Compiling wage information (pay stubs)
Our attorneys will fight for the compensation that you deserve.
Athens Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Types of Damages You Could Seek After Being Hit By a Car
Your recoverable compensation could include a range of damages caused by the pedestrian accident, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Mental anguish
Wrongful Death
Please accept our heartfelt condolences if you lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident. The sudden passing of someone we love is never easy. It can also be financially crippling to the family.
We can’t take away the pain, but a Athens pedestrian accident attorney may be able to assist your family in recovering funeral and burial expenses, compensation for medical bills from treatment before death, and compensation for pain and suffering.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Forms of Negligence That Can Lead to Pedestrian Accidents
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) states that increased visibility at night can make pedestrian accidents less prevalent. However, reduced visibility alone cannot account for these tragedies.
However, many forms of driver negligence can lead to these accidents. These include driver actions such as:
- Failing to yield at crosswalks
- Failing to obey traffic signs
- Driving while influenced by drugs or alcohol
- Texting while driving
- Driving at high speeds or too fast for weather conditions
- Driving while excessively tired
- Failing to check rearview mirrors or cameras before backing up
If you were among those pedestrians harmed in a crash in Athens, it may benefit you to work with a pedestrian accident attorney from our team.
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Assessing Negligence in Pedestrian Accidents
Determining fault in a pedestrian accident isn’t always cut-and-dried. The wording of right-of-way laws can be confusing, leaving victims to wonder if they bore some responsibility for the accident.
One part of an accident attorney’s investigation includes examining evidence to determine how the other party’s negligence led to the accident. There are four elements necessary to assign negligence:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
Both the driver and the pedestrian have a duty to obey the road rules. If either or both failed to do so, that constitutes a breach. If the breach of either party caused injuries, the elements of negligence are present.
Using the results of an investigation, if a car accident lawyer can prove that the actions of the driver were negligent, they can fight for compensation on behalf of the pedestrian. Even if a pedestrian bears some responsibility for the accident, a personal injury lawyer can build evidence to show that the driver was primarily responsible.
Laws Designed to Protect Pedestrians
Georgia Code (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-93) states that drivers must exercise care to avoid pedestrians, including children or incapacitated/intoxicated individuals. Pedestrians must also adhere to a different section of the code (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-92), which states that pedestrians should yield to motor vehicles outside of a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
Although it can be confusing, the basic rule is that the vehicle must yield if a pedestrian is already in the crosswalk or roadway. If, however, the pedestrian has not entered the crosswalk, they should yield to oncoming vehicle traffic.
If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, trying to determine who was at fault and what laws may have been applicable can be confusing. An Athens pedestrian accident attorney has experience investigating the details and deciphering the laws.
Where Does It Hurt?
After a pedestrian accident, you may be hurt everywhere. Your injuries can be devastating. Some of the most common injuries after a pedestrian accident include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Skull fractures
- Brain hemorrhaging
- Blood clots
- Broken bones, including arms, legs, and pelvis
- Fractured ribs
- Internal injuries, including internal bleeding or organ damage
- Injuries to the spine, including paralysis
- Amputations
- Strains, sprains, and torn muscles and ligaments
A pedestrian has nothing to protect them in the event of an accident. That compounds the severity of their injuries and often leads to prolonged hospitalizations.
What to Do After Being Hit By a Car in Athens
A pedestrian accident can be jarring and very scary. If you are able, there are a few things you should do to protect yourself:
- Call 911. If you can’t, see if a bystander will call for you.
- Assess yourself for injuries. Remember that your adrenaline could be masking serious symptoms.
- Allow paramedics to treat you onsite. Tell them about any discomfort you are feeling. Discomfort or soreness could be a sign of a severe injury.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company. An insurance adjuster will likely call you to get your side of the story. This can be a trap. Give them the basics of the accident and nothing else. If they ask if you are okay or if you were injured, tell them you’re waiting to get your results back. Direct them to your accident lawyer for any further information.
- Do not accept the first offer without having an attorney review it first. The insurance company’s first offer may be thousands less than you deserve. If you accept the offer, you can’t ask for more later.
- Call our firm for a free consultation. We’ll learn about you and your accident and determine how we can help you.
Contact an Athens Pedestrian Accident Attorney’s Team for Answers
If you are ready to discuss your claim with our pedestrian accident team, contact Bader Law Injury Lawyers for your complimentary consultation. Find out first-hand what our injury attorneys can do to assist you in your claim.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
