Pedestrian accidents are a common occurrence in Fayetteville, GA. Sometimes, these accidents are due to the carelessness of the pedestrian but at other times, drivers on the road can behave recklessly and can be negligent thus causing harm to a pedestrian. If you were injured due to the negligence of another person, you need to talk to a pedestrian accident lawyer near Fayetteville as soon as possible.
Most people don’t realize it, but pedestrians have significant rights when it comes to road accidents. Vehicles are supposed to give pedestrians the right of way and even if there is a pedestrian who jaywalks, drivers are still expected to stop and let them pass even though the pedestrian is in the wrong.
However, it is important to note pedestrians should not take unnecessary risks and should obey signals the same way that they expect drivers to follow the rules of the road.
If a driver hits you while you were walking, you should contact our Fayetteville car accident lawyers so that we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Both pedestrians and drivers can be responsible for pedestrian accidents. In some cases, it is the driver who is at fault while in others it is the pedestrian who behaves carelessly and gets injured in the process. The following are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents.
Pedestrians Ignoring Traffic or Signals
Pedestrians sometimes choose to ignore oncoming traffic and/or choose to ignore stop/walk signals. However, drivers still have the responsibility to take care, and they may still be accountable depending on whether the driver was primarily at fault or not.
Sometimes a driver and pedestrian both blame for the accident. Georgia’s comparative negligence rule allows an injured pedestrian who is less than 50% at fault to claim compensation.
Talk to our pedestrian accident lawyers near Fayetteville to find out if you have a case.
Reckless Driving
Reckless drivers often fail to yield to pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks. Failing to follow Georgia’s pedestrian safety laws indicates that the driver did not demonstrate a duty of care. Talk to your pedestrian wreck lawyer as to how you can get compensation for any injuries you may have sustained.
Aggressive and road rage are common causes of pedestrian accidents. In this situation, the driver is clearly at fault, and a pedestrian wreck lawyer can help you get justice.
Distracted Driving
Drivers hit pedestrians because they were texting and driving or were otherwise distracted. Ask a pedestrian accident attorney about your rights and how you can get fair compensation.
Poor Road Conditions and Bad Weather
The pedestrian and/or driver may make a mistake because of poor road conditions due to weather. The driver may not be responsible for causing the accident, but a pedestrian wreck lawyer will be best able to determine that once you provide them with more details.
If it is revealed that the driver was speeding even when the road conditions were poor, you might be eligible for compensation.
Problems With Traffic Signals or Difficulty Seeing Traffic Signs
Problems with traffic signals or poor visibility of traffic signs can also contribute to pedestrian accidents. Again, it is difficult to blame anyone for this, but the injured parties may be eligible for compensation. Talk to a pedestrian accident attorney in this regard.
Types of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents can occur in residential locations as well as in popular city areas and locations. Here are a few commonly observed pedestrian accidents:
- Hitting pedestrians while they are crossing the road. In a large majority of such accidents, drivers are found to be at fault because they are speeding, drunk, or distracted.
- Hitting pedestrians while they are walking or jogging. This is more of a problem for pedestrians if it’s dark as it might be difficult for drivers to see them. It is important for pedestrians to exercise caution and to wear bright clothes if they have to go out in the dark.
- Cars hitting pedestrians in crosswalks. Drivers who don’t yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully using a crosswalk will be found responsible.
Type of Pedestrian Accident Injuries
Pedestrian accidents can cause injuries that can be completely minor to extremely serious. Some of the most common pedestrian accident injuries include fractures, head trauma, brain injuries, injuries to abdominal organs, injuries to ribs, lungs, or heart, crush injuries, skin abrasions, lacerations, and spinal cord injuries.
Many times, these injuries can result in pedestrians having to miss work and losing their earnings. Victims may also require surgery and rehabilitation. All this can result in increased financial expenditures, a large majority of which you can claim in your compensation claim.
Sometimes, pedestrians can hit their heads which could result in cognitive issues as well as memory loss and speech problems. This particular type of injury can have a significant impact both on the physical health of the victim as well as professional ability.
Many times, they cannot go back to work for a long period of time. Even when they finally do make it back to work, they may not be able to perform the same tasks because of the impact of their injuries on their cognitive ability and their motor function. All these factors can multiply the financial challenges that pedestrian accident victims could face.
Pedestrians who suffer from injuries to major organs such as the heart or lungs can take a long time to recover. Again, their financial situation can become very challenging, and they can incur medical expenses that they would find very difficult to afford. Fayetteville pedestrian accident lawyers can help victims to recover their losses and to get fair compensation so that they can meet these unanticipated medical expenses.
Some of the worst cases of pedestrian injuries that have been observed include victims with spinal injuries that result in paralysis or severe chronic pain. Paralysis is very difficult to deal with and is not only difficult for the victim but also for their families and caregivers. Both personal and professional lives can be affected by such injuries. If you are a victim and if you have suffered serious injuries, talk to a pedestrian accident attorney today.
Types of Compensation
The law is on your side and pedestrians can claim compensation for the damages they incur. This includes medical bills, hospitalization costs, prescription costs, rehabilitation costs, surgical costs, diagnostics costs, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and wrongful death.
Your pedestrian accident attorney is the best person who can tell you how you can file such a claim and the settlement amount that you may receive. Don’t delay in speaking to a pedestrian wreck lawyer. You need to take action fast. If you are unable to get in touch with our pedestrian accident lawyers near Fayetteville because you are still recovering, a family member can seek legal counsel on your behalf.
The point is that filing such a claim is important and you will realize the benefit once you receive compensation. It will be a major source of support for you and will help you better deal with the negative impact on your financial situation. Call 770-HELP-NOW today to falk to a pedestrian accident attorney.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
The biggest problem with compensation claims is dealing with insurance companies. Most people do not carry accidental insurance, which ideally speaking would come in handy in such situations. Therefore, any hope of recovering damages would be placed on the driver’s insurance company. But insurance companies do not simply hand over the money to accident victims.
They try their best to make things difficult and their ultimate goal is to minimize their financial payout. Talk to a pedestrian accident lawyer near Fayetteville about how you should deal with the insurance company in question and what things you should keep in mind when they approach you.
If the driver who hit is found to be at fault, their insurance company is liable to pay you damages. However, the insurance company may try different things so that they can pay you as little an amount as possible. Many times, insurance companies approach accident victims and offer them a quick settlement. Most people after an accident are so stressed out that they just want their life to go back to normal.
It is these very people who often make the mistake of accepting the first offer made by an insurance company. This could be a big mistake. Don’t ever sign any papers or accept any offer without first discussing it with your pedestrian accident lawyer. In fact, it’s best that you keep your communication with the insurance company as minimum as possible and let your pedestrian wreck lawyer negotiate on your behalf.
Insurance companies often try to place blame on the pedestrian so that their insured client’s fault is minimized. They can claim that you did not watch where you were going or that you appeared out of nowhere. They can also claim that there was poor visibility or that the road conditions were poor which caused the accident.
The important thing that you should remember is that you should not directly engage with them. Let your Fayetteville pedestrian accident lawyer handle the insurance company.
Call a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Fayetteville at The Weinstein Firm
If you were in a pedestrian accident in Fayetteville, GA and you need legal advice, please call our accident pedestrian attorneys at The Weinstein Firm. A pedestrian wreck lawyer will be able to advise you as per the specifics of your case and will help you understand what legal options you have to recover the damages that you have incurred.
Our Fayetteville personal injury lawyers have dealt with many cases that involve pedestrians and other drivers. Our pedestrian accident attorneys also know how insurance companies can make things difficult. Our pedestrian accident lawyers can help you. They know the law, and they know how the legal system works as far as pedestrian accidents are concerned.
Our attorneys know that recovery is the first priority for accident victims. That is why our pedestrian wreck lawyers will try to minimize any further pressure on you and will ensure that you get the justice you deserve without being pulled into controversies and complications.
Your Fayetteville pedestrian accident lawyer will handle the insurance company, and they will determine who should be held liable for the damages that you may have incurred. Don’t hesitate. Call 770-HELP-NOW today for a free case review!
