Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in McDonough, Georgia, Fighting for You
From painful injuries to mounting medical expenses, pedestrian accidents can turn your life upside down. You don’t have to face the legal process alone. A McDonough pedestrian accident lawyer at The Weinstein Firm is here to support you and help you seek the compensation you need to recover and move forward.
Our McDonough accident law firm is dedicated to standing up for injured pedestrians. We understand how devastating these accidents can be, and we know how to build a strong case against the driver who hurt you. Whether the accident happened in a crosswalk, parking lot, or busy intersection, The Weinstein Firm is ready to fight for your rights and hold the responsible party accountable.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Hire a McDonough Pedestrian Accident Attorney?
No matter what type of accident you have been in, if you suffered injuries or damages, it is a good idea to hire a McDonough personal injury lawyer to represent your interests. The driver and their insurance company will be looking out for themselves. This means that they are less likely to accept any blame for the accident and may attempt to claim that you caused it.
In most cases, the drivers in pedestrian accidents are generally held responsible for injuries or deaths because of their negligence. However, if they attempt to blame you, it could muddy the waters enough to make it difficult for you to receive the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Because of the degree of damage that is usually associated with pedestrian accidents, contacting a McDonough pedestrian accident attorney is nearly always necessary. Insurance companies will work hard to ensure that they aren’t paying out any more than necessary. But, with damages, lost wages, and medical expenses, sometimes what an insurance company is willing to pay just isn’t enough. That is where McDonough pedestrian accident lawyers come into action.
A Georgia pedestrian accident attorney will work to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve to make up for your financial losses. Insurance companies, however, will often do everything they can to deny your claim or severely reduce any compensation you were anticipating.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in McDonough, GA
Drivers are expected to exercise caution and not endanger anyone else, including other drivers and pedestrians. Drivers should use extra caution at intersections and blind spots to make sure that everyone is safe. Unfortunately, not all drivers follow Georgia’s pedestrian safety laws.
Negligence is a primary factor in the large majority of pedestrian accident cases. When you file for compensation, an investigation will be conducted. Negligence can include texting, distracted driving, driving under the influence, and failing to yield.
Pedestrian accident lawyers familiarize themselves with each case individually and will fight for your rights.
Distracted Driving Like Texting
Texting while driving is becoming increasingly common on our roads today. Drivers who text and drive generally fail to adhere to standard safety laws. Distracted drivers can easily miss seeing a pedestrian crossing the road.
If you were hit by a driver who was texting, you need to inform your McDonough pedestrian accident lawyer about this, as this will help establish negligence.
Drunk Driving
Drivers are expected to conduct themselves safely and responsibly whenever they’re behind the wheel. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is reckless. It impairs judgment and may slow reaction time. Intoxicated drivers are less likely to notice pedestrians and may swerve unpredictably.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Speeding and reckless driving are among the most common causes of pedestrian accidents in Georgia. When drivers exceed the speed limit or drive aggressively, they have less time to react to people crossing the street, especially in residential areas or near schools and crosswalks.
Reckless behaviors like running red lights, failing to yield, or weaving through traffic make it much more likely for a driver to hit a pedestrian. These actions put everyone on the road at risk, but pedestrians are especially vulnerable because they don’t have the protection that drivers do.
What Compensation Can Injured Pedestrians Receive?
Your rights as a pedestrian in a motor vehicle accident fall under the same category of law as any other accidental injury.
Most pedestrian accidents are a result of the driver’s negligence because pedestrians have the right-of-way. If this right is violated, and a pedestrian gets hurt, they can file for compensation. A pedestrian can file a claim to recover the following expenditures:
- Medical bills
- Foreseeable future medical expenses associated with the accident
- Lost wages
- Necessary home or vehicle modifications such as wheelchair ramps
- Distress
- Pain and suffering
Together, these areas cover nearly all aspects of what is usually recovered through a pedestrian accident claim. Punitive damages are also a possibility. Courts may award punitive damages if the at-fault driver was especially reckless. Examples include drunk-driving accidents and texting while driving.
Paying Medical Bills and Expenses
Medical expenses are a major concern for injured pedestrians. Most people find it difficult to come up with large sums of money for hospital visits, diagnostic tests, doctor’s appointments, and rehabilitation.
A McDonough pedestrian accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for treatment costs and expected future medical expenses. A personal injury attorney can tell you what you could potentially claim based on the specifics of your accident and the severity of your injuries. Your healthcare provider’s diagnosis and recommended treatment can also help strengthen your claim.
However, negotiating a settlement with the driver’s insurance company can take time. You could wait even longer if your pedestrian accident case goes to court. How will you cover medical bills until you receive compensation?
A McDonough pedestrian accident lawyer can explain the options of subrogation or an attorney lien. Subrogation is a process that’s available when you have health insurance that will cover part or most of your medical bills. When explaining your situation to your health insurance, they may offer subrogation immediately.
If you don’t have health insurance, the stress of handling medical bills is substantially larger. In such a case, there is the option of an attorney lien. This means that you agree with your healthcare provider that you will pay your medical bills once you receive compensation for your injuries. Many people pursue this as an option because it allows them to focus on recovery rather than the stress of outstanding bills.
How to Handle Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often attempt to show that the pedestrian was partially at fault. Typically, insurance companies will instruct you not to contact a lawyer and to wait for any claim filed to complete its course.
Keep in mind that you are not required to speak with the driver’s insurance company at any point in time. Your only obligation is to file a police report, answer any questions they ask, and then speak to your lawyer. You are not obligated to listen to the insurance company, be intimidated by them, or offer any clarification. The only person you need to talk to is your McDonough pedestrian accident lawyer.
Settlements
Never accept a settlement offer for an accident or any type of personal injury without consulting a McDonough pedestrian accident attorney first. A pedestrian accident attorney can help you evaluate whether the settlement is fair. If it isn’t, and you accept the offer, you give up the right to continue to pursue recovery for other damages. Usually, insurance companies give a low offer initially because they want to settle quickly before you decide to pursue a larger amount of compensation.
This is a common strategy but one that any pedestrian accident lawyer will discourage. You should never accept or sign any settlement offer without consulting your lawyer. Similarly, you should never waive any rights nor accept any responsibility. The only person you share any details with should be your McDonough pedestrian accident lawyer.
Contact a McDonough Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
These cases are best started as early as possible after an accident. However, keep in mind that your recovery should always remain your top priority. That is why if you hire a McDonough pedestrian accident attorney, they can focus on the legal aspects of your case while you can focus on getting better.
If your case is strong and if the insurance company still denies your claim, going to court is an option, and a jury may award greater compensation than what you would see from a settlement. However, the settlement is not a bad thing. Many cases are settled out of court by using solid evidence and medical bills.
However, you need to be sure that the settlement you accept is sufficient to cover your expenses. Don’t rush into a settlement simply because you want to avoid the legal hassle or because you want to settle your expenses quickly. Let your pedestrian accident attorney do their job because if they do it right, they will be able to get the compensation you deserve.
Calling a McDonough car accident attorney is the place to start. Our team at The Weinstein Firm can help you understand your options, the typical process, and how your case is special.
Contact our law firm today by calling 770-HELP-NOW or completing our online form for a free consultation.
