According to estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 6,000 pedestrians were killed in the United States in 2018. Even though pedestrians often have the right of way on public roadways, accidents involving pedestrians are still possible. In some cases, the pedestrian may be left with painful or long-lasting injuries through no fault of their own.
If you can obtain evidence that an at-fault motorist struck you while you were in a public space, such as on the sidewalk or crossing an intersection, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim. To learn about pedestrian accident laws, how accidents involving pedestrians are handled, or how the team from Bader Law Injury Lawyers can help with your case, call us at (404) 888-8888. A Roswell pedestrian accident lawyer can offer you a free consultation to find out more about your legal options.
Pedestrian Accident Injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely to die than vehicle occupants in an accident. Injuries suffered by pedestrians can range from minor scratching and bruising to concussions, broken bones, internal bleeding, head trauma, or paralysis. The severity of the pedestrian’s injuries depends on how fast the vehicle that struck him or her was traveling, as well as the size of the vehicle and the angle of impact.
Medical treatments in the United States are often expensive, and sometimes painful. A pedestrian may take months or years to recover from accident injuries. Permanent injuries can lead to a lifetime of inconvenience, as well as lost earnings, higher care costs, a lessened quality of life, and recurring treatments such as surgeries or physical therapy.
If your accident was caused by the recklessness or negligence of another person, you may be entitled to compensation through a pedestrian accident lawsuit. Consider speaking with a Roswell pedestrian accident lawyer to investigate your case. The team from Bader Law Injury Lawyers can offer you a free consultation. Call (404) 888-8888 to learn more.
For a free legal consultation with a pedestrian accidents lawyer serving Roswell, call (404) 888-8888
Types and Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents typically involve a passenger vehicle, but they can also involve a truck, motorcycle, or bicycle. At-risk groups in pedestrian accidents include jaywalkers, children going to or going home from school, people checking their mailbox, and those who work in businesses located around busy metropolitan centers. Participating in certain nighttime activities can raise the risk of suffering an accident due to the environment being darker.
Negligence, inattention, distraction, intoxication, recklessness, or speeding on the part of a driver can lead to a pedestrian accident. However, even if a driver is careful, he or she may still strike a pedestrian on the road. Some ways this can happen include:
- If one vehicle stops for a pedestrian to cross the road, another vehicle may not see the pedestrian on the crosswalk.
- If a pedestrian unexpectedly darts out on the road, a driver may not have enough time to avoid hitting the pedestrian, or he or she may veer in another direction and inadvertently crash somewhere else.
- If a pedestrian miscalculates the time it takes to cross the road, they may find themselves still on the crosswalk when oncoming traffic is given a green light to proceed.
- A pedestrian can be struck by a vehicle that is backing up if the driver does not carefully check his or her surroundings before reversing.
Roswell Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Seeking Compensation You may be Entitled to
Georgia is a fault-based state, so the law entitles you to seek compensation you may be entitled to for damages that result from the mistakes or negligence of another party. Although you should always exercise caution on the road and be wary of potentially dangerous situations, an accident may still occur.
If you were stuck by a motorist, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit if you can prove that they hit you because they were not driving carefully. You must also prove that, had the driver been careful, an accident would likely not have occurred, but because it did you were made to suffer physical, mental, or financial damages.
Anyone who drives on the road is automatically assumed to owe other road users a duty of care by driving carefully, following safety laws, and driving in accordance with established norms. A failure to do so, known as a breach in the duty of care, may lead to the at-fault driver being held liable for damages they cause.
These damages may include:
- Lost income or future lower earning capacity of the pedestrian
- Medical care and treatment expenditures
- Fees for tests, medications, or special therapy
- Doctor’s fees and ambulance or transportation costs
- Funeral, burial, or cremation costs if the accident resulted in a fatality
- Pain, suffering, and emotional damages, sometimes referred to as non-economic damages after the accident
To calculate non-ecomomic damages, insurance adjusters or attorneys often use treatment costs, the severity of your injuries, and other evidence such as photos or videos from the accident scene, as well as eyewitness testimony. A statement from a doctor may also be used as evidence in a pedestrian accident case.
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Contact Our Team to Learn More
Gathering evidence, filing a claim, and calculating economic and non-economic damages can be difficult for someone who is not aquainted with the law. It may be especially difficult for someone who was involved in an accident and is still recovering from their injuries.
If you or a family member was struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian, consider contacting Bader Law Injury Lawyers. A Roswell pedestrian accident lawyer can help you with your case. Our team can be reached at (404) 888-8888, so call us if you are interested in receiving a free consultation regarding your injuries and potential legal options.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
