Athens Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian accidents are one of the most severe motor vehicle incidents possible. For every pedestrian accident fatality, there are countless more serious injuries that could have a permanent effect on someone’s life.

If you or a loved one have been struck by a car as a pedestrian, you should contact our team of Athens personal injury lawyers at The Larrison Law Firm Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorney. Reach out to us online or call 770-626-7895 today.

The Epidemic of Pedestrian Accidents Is Getting Worse

The pedestrian accident injury statistics are grim and getting worse. Here are some reasons why both the number and severity of pedestrian accidents are increasing, both in Athens and nationwide:

• Drivers are increasingly distracted behind the wheel, and they do not see crosswalks and pedestrians trying to enter them
• Drivers are exhibiting far more reckless behavior, which means that there is less of a chance that they will see others around them
• The average size of a vehicle is larger, meaning that pedestrians will suffer more serious injuries when they are hit
• Warmer weather trends have more people out on the road walking, and more people are using their cars less

In Athens itself, the presence of the University of Georgia means tens of thousands of students who must walk to get where they are going. There is a larger number of pedestrians here on the city’s sidewalks than in other cities.

Pedestrians Will Likely Suffer Serious Injuries in an Accident

Pedestrian accident injuries will be far more serious than practically every other type of incident. There is simply nothing that can protect the pedestrian from sudden impact with a vehicle that can weigh an average of 3,000 pounds.

The faster the car travels, the higher the likelihood that an accident can be fatal. If the car is traveling over 30 miles per hour, the fatality rate will reach 40%. There is little chance of surviving an accident when the vehicle’s speed tops 40 miles per hour.

In general, there is very little chance of walking away from a pedestrian accident unscathed. Pedestrian accidents can result in the following injuries:

• Serious bone fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Internal injuries and organ damage
• Severe cuts and lacerations

Significant Pedestrian Accident Damages

The medical bills alone that are associated with your pedestrian accident injuries will be significant. Anytime that you are taken to the hospital, you face steep costs. If you have suffered a serious injury, the costs can rise to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The medical bills are far from the only cost that you will bear.

You may suffer the following additional damages in a pedestrian accident case:

• Lost wages when you are not able to work because of your injuries or do the same work that you did before the accident
• Pain and suffering for both the physical and emotional discomfort that you are forced to live with
• Loss of enjoyment of life when you cannot have the same life that you did before the accident
• Emotional distress and trauma

Many pedestrian accident lawsuits are filed as wrongful death cases, given the high fatality rates of these crashes. In a wrongful death claim, your family can receive the following damages:

• The wages that your loved one would have earned over the course of their lifetime
• Your family’s own grief and trauma from the sudden loss of a close family member
• Compensation for the loss of your close relationship with your deceased family member and for the love, guidance, and support they provided
• Loss of consortium damages for the loss of a close physical relationship with the deceased person

How to Win a Pedestrian Accident Case

In order to win your pedestrian accident case, you would need to prove that the driver who struck you or your loved one was negligent. There is a four-part test for proving negligence in a personal injury case:

• The driver owed you a duty of care
• The driver failed to uphold their duty of care because they acted unreasonably under the circumstances
• You suffered an injury
• You would not have been injured had it not been for the actions of the driver

Why You Need a Pedestrian Accident Attorney

The common tactic that is used to deny you compensation as an injured pedestrian is blaming you for the accident. In Georgia, you could be denied a check if you bear more of the responsibility for the accident than the driver. Therefore, the insurance company will heavily scrutinize your actions and try to blame you in any way that they can to avoid paying for what is likely to be serious injuries.

You would need an attorney to defend you and what you were doing at the time of the accident to get the money that you deserve.

Contact an Athens Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

When you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you depend on the financial compensation that the driver would need to pay if they were responsible for the accident.

The Larrison Law Firm Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorney will handle all the details of your case, working for you to get the highest possible compensation for your injuries. To schedule your initial consultation, you can send us a message online or call us at 770-626-7895.

Pedestrian Accident Case FAQs

Can I still receive a check if I was partially to blame?

Yes, so long as you do not bear more of the blame than the responsible party.

Can I still receive compensation for what my loved one went through before they died?

Yes, the estate can file a survival action to receive these damages.

How long will my pedestrian accident case take?

It is hard to give an exact answer, but you should prepare for the process to be lengthier when settlements fail and a personal injury trial is necessary.