Pedestrian accidents can lead to serious injuries or even death. Unlike those in vehicles, pedestrians have no protection in a collision with a car, truck, or other motor vehicles. If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident in Atlanta, you may be facing significant medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma.
At Ted Law Firm, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that come with being injured in a pedestrian accident. Our dedicated team of experienced lawyers is here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Atlanta
Pedestrian accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common causes of these accidents include:
- Distracted driving: Drivers who are texting, talking on the phone, or engaging in other distractions may fail to see pedestrians crossing the street.
- Speeding: Excessive speed can make it more difficult for drivers to stop in time to avoid hitting pedestrians.
- Failure to yield: Drivers who fail to yield the right of way at crosswalks or intersections may cause accidents with pedestrians.
- Driving under the influence: Drunk or impaired drivers are a major risk to pedestrians, as they may have slower reaction times and impaired judgment.
- Reckless driving: Aggressive driving behaviors like running red lights, disobeying traffic signals, or failing to stop at stop signs can lead to pedestrian accidents.
- Poorly maintained roads: Hazardous road conditions, such as potholes, lack of lighting, or unclear crosswalk markings, can contribute to accidents.
- Inadequate signage: Lack of proper warning signs or signals for pedestrians can increase the risk of accidents.
If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian due to any of these factors, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain, and suffering, and other damages.
Types of Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are vulnerable when involved in an accident with a motor vehicle, and injuries can range from mild to life-threatening. Some common injuries in pedestrian accidents include:
- Broken bones and fractures: Injuries to the legs, arms, and pelvis are common in pedestrian accidents.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Head injuries, including concussions and more severe brain trauma, can occur when pedestrians are struck by a vehicle.
- Spinal cord injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord can lead to permanent paralysis or other long-term disabilities.
- Internal injuries: Blunt force trauma can lead to internal bleeding or organ damage.
- Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, and tears to muscles and ligaments can result from the impact of a pedestrian accident.
- Road rash: Scrapes and abrasions that occur when the body slides across the road surface.
- Fatal injuries: In the worst-case scenarios, pedestrian accidents can result in death, leading to wrongful death claims.
If you’ve sustained any of these injuries in a pedestrian accident, it’s important to seek immediate medical care and legal representation to ensure your rights are protected.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Pedestrian Accident Case?
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:
- Medical bills: Hospital visits, surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing medical treatment for your injuries.
- Lost wages: Compensation for the income you’ve lost while recovering from your injuries.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, and trauma caused by the accident.
- Emotional distress: The anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress that can result from being involved in a pedestrian accident.
- Permanent disability: If your injuries result in long-term or permanent disabilities, you may be entitled to compensation for these future losses.
- Property damage: If your personal property, like a phone or bag, was damaged in the accident, you can seek compensation for the replacement or repair of these items.
- Wrongful death: If a loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident, surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death claim for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and other damages.
At Ted Law Firm, we will work with medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and other experts to assess the full impact of your injury and ensure that you receive a fair settlement.
Who’s Responsible in a Pedestrian Accident?
In Atlanta, pedestrian accident cases can involve multiple parties. Some of the potentially liable parties include:
- Negligent drivers: If a driver caused the accident through speeding, distracted driving, or other negligent behavior, they can be held responsible.
- Government entities: If poor road conditions, lack of signage, or inadequate crosswalks contributed to the accident, government agencies may be held accountable for failing to maintain safe roadways.
- Property owners: If the accident occurred due to hazardous conditions on private property, the property owner may be responsible for maintaining safe conditions.
- Vehicle manufacturers: In rare cases, defective vehicle parts may be responsible for the accident, in which case the manufacturer could be held liable.
We will investigate the cause of your accident, gather evidence, and work to identify all responsible parties to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Atlanta
If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident, it’s important to take the following steps:
- Seek medical care immediately: Even if you don’t feel injured, some injuries may not be immediately apparent. Get checked by a medical professional.
- Report the accident: Contact law enforcement to report the accident. A police report will be important for your claim.
- Document the scene: If possible, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any relevant details.
- Collect witness information: Speak to any witnesses who saw the accident and gather their contact details.
- Avoid speaking to insurance companies: Do not provide a statement to the insurance company without consulting a lawyer first.
- Contact Ted Law Firm: Reach out to our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys for a free consultation and to discuss your legal options.
We Understand You
At Ted Law Firm, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial burdens that come with being injured in a pedestrian accident. We are committed to helping you recover the compensation you deserve. Here’s how we can assist you:
- Investigation: We will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident, including gathering evidence, speaking with witnesses, and reviewing medical records.
- Determining liability: We work to identify all responsible parties, including negligent drivers, property owners, and government entities.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: We handle negotiations with insurance companies to ensure you get a fair settlement.
- Filing a lawsuit: If the insurance company offers an inadequate settlement, we are prepared to take your case to court and fight for justice.
- Emotional support: We understand the challenges you’re facing, and we are here to provide compassionate support throughout the entire process.
Talk to an Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident in Atlanta, don’t wait to seek legal help. The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner we can begin working on your case to secure the compensation you deserve. At Ted Law Firm, we care about your healing and your future. We proudly help people in Atlanta: Columbus, Macon, Athens, Savannah, Warner Robins, and all of Georgia! We advocate for accident victims across South Carolina and Georgia. When a devastating crash turns your world upside down, you can count on Ted Law Firm to stand by your side and provide the trusted legal support you deserve.