While pedestrian accidents made up less than 1 percent of motor vehicle crashes in Georgia in a recent year, they accounted for over 20 percent of fatalities, according to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. Pedestrians don’t have the protection of a vehicle cabin, so pedestrian motor accidents frequently cause catastrophic and life-altering injuries.
If you or a loved one has been in a pedestrian motor accident in Augusta, contact the law offices of Ted A. Greve & Associates, P.A. for legal support. Motorists owe pedestrians a duty of care, and they may face financial liability if their carelessness causes harm to pedestrians. We understand the significant and potentially catastrophic consequences of a pedestrian accident and have the skills, resources, and experience to fight for the financial compensation you deserve. Contact us today to speak to a pedestrian accident lawyer in Augusta, GA.
Who Is at Fault in a Pedestrian Accident in Augusta?
Most pedestrian accident cases depend on proving one party’s negligence. Whichever party was negligent and caused the accident is at fault and responsible for any resulting injuries and losses. In most cases, the negligent party is a driver who ignored the pedestrian’s right-of-way in a crosswalk or parking lot. For example, if a driver ran through a stop sign and hit a pedestrian, they would be liable because they acted negligently.
In some cases, the negligent party may be someone who obstructed designated walkways, forcing the pedestrian to walk in the street where a car strikes them. For instance, if a construction company blocked the sidewalk and forced the pedestrian to walk in the street, they could be liable.
Georgia Pedestrian Accident Laws
Georgia has a handful of laws that apply to pedestrians walking near roads. For example, the law requires pedestrians to obey all traffic control devices and yield to vehicles when crossing at places other than crosswalks.
It is important to understand these laws governing pedestrian conduct, as they can affect liability. For example, insurance companies and courts might judge you partially at fault if you were jaywalking when a car struck you, which might reduce the amount of compensation you can recover.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Augusta
Pedestrian accidents typically occur when either a driver or pedestrian does not respect right-of-way rules in Georgia. Common causes of pedestrian accidents might include:
- Distracted driving (texting, eating, talking with passengers, etc.)
- Failing to yield
- Ignoring stop signs or traffic lights
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Dangerous crosswalk design
- Unsafe construction
- Bad weather
- Intersections with blind spots
- Making negligent left turns
- Road obstructions
Types of Pedestrian Accident Injuries
The force of a car striking a pedestrian can cause numerous severe injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injury
- Leg and arm injuries
- Road rash and abrasions
- Torso injuries
- Soft-tissue injury and bruising
- Internal injuries
- Organ damage
- Wrongful Death
A pedestrian accident can also cause emotional turmoil and anguish. One study estimates that nearly half of all road traffic accident victims develop clinical symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Compensation After a Pedestrian Accident in Augusta
Medical care after a pedestrian accident can leave you with tens of thousands in medical bills and affect your ability to earn a living. A personal injury attorney can help you recover financially through a pedestrian accident claim.
Filing a Claim
Once you contact the at-fault party’s insurance company, they will open a claim and begin investigating. They will also request documentation of the accident and your injuries. This is why it’s crucial that you document as much of the accident as possible and see a doctor immediately to get a formal diagnosis.
You should generally not accept the first settlement offer you get. Insurance companies are notorious for trying to underpay, and your attorney can likely negotiate a much better offer that accurately reflects the full scope of your harm. If the insurance provider is not responsive to demands, your attorney can file a formal lawsuit to recover your damages.
Economic Damages: Medical Bills, Lost Income
A typical pedestrian accident settlement will contain money for your economic losses, which include those expenses that have a defined dollar amount:
- Emergency medical bills and continuing medical expenses, such as prescription medications
- Work income you missed because your injuries made you unable to work
- Reduced lifetime earning capacity due to permanent partial or full disability
- In-home care and other long-term medical treatment
- Property damage
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
An attorney from Ted A. Greve & Associates, P.A., can calculate all your bills to ensure you recover adequate compensation.
Non-Economic Damages: Pain and Suffering, Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Georgia also recognizes the right of pedestrian accident victims to recover non-economic damages. These types of subjective losses do not have a tangible dollar amount. Examples of non-economic damages are pain and suffering or loss of enjoyment of life.
Legal Options and Steps to Take Following a Pedestrian Accident
A successful claim requires building a solid case to prove the other party’s liability and the extent of your injuries.
Build Your Case with Evidence
A robust personal injury claim starts with evidence. Your attorney will gather evidence to piece together the events of the accident and demonstrate the other party’s guilt. Evidence to rely on includes medical records, photos, video recordings, eyewitness accounts, police accident reports, and digital device data.
The Severity of Your Injuries
You will also need to get as much medical documentation of your injuries as possible, including diagnostic tests, lab reports, imaging results, and hospital discharge paperwork. Insurance companies often deny claims for insufficient medical documentation, so be thorough with your record keeping. An attorney can help you organize and gather the proper documentation to reduce the likelihood of a claim denial.
Contact Our Augusta Pedestrian Accident Attorney
If a careless driver hit you while you were on foot, the Augusta attorneys at Ted A. Greve & Associates, P.A., are here to stand by your side and hold them accountable for their actions. We are known for our tireless pursuit of justice and won’t rest until we have exhausted every legal avenue to recover your due compensation. Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer in Augusta online or call us today to schedule a free case consultation.
