A significant number of traffic incidents in Atlanta often involves pedestrians. Unlike passengers in a car, pedestrians are often more exposed to the elements and risks and suffer the most traumatic injuries in an accident. If you, or someone you care about, are injured in such a mishap, contacting a pedestrian accident attorney Atlanta could be a wise idea. Here are some noteworthy things to know.
Table of Contents
Understanding common pedestrian accident injuries
As we mentioned, pedestrians often suffer the biggest blow in a traffic accident. There is little to no room to react, and it is absolutely important to seek medical attention immediately. Common pedestrian accident injuries include scarring, strains, sprains, scarring, fractures, traumatic brain & spinal cord injuries, and even amputations.
Liability for pedestrian accidents
Like many states, Georgia is a fault state for auto accidents, including pedestrian accidents. If the vehicle driver was responsible for causing the accident, they are also liable for the consequent losses endured by the pedestrian. The driver could be accountable for reasons like distracted driving, driving under the influence, speeding, lack of vehicle maintenance, and failure to yield. In many cases, even third parties could be liable or share the blame for a pedestrian accident. Such parties include the vehicle manufacturer, the owner of the property where the mishap happened, and pedestrians and bicyclists.
Statute of Limitations
As with most injury claims, there is a statute of limitations for pedestrian injury claims too. In Georgia, the deadline is two years from the date of the accident. While the time may seem like a lot, you have to act immediately and gather evidence that can prove liability and fault. Get an accident lawyer on your side right away to know your legal options. The typical choice is to file an insurance claim with the other at-fault party’s insurance company, but in some cases, you may have to file a civil lawsuit too. The statute of limitations is for civil lawsuits only and not insurance claims, and therefore, you have to act early anyway.
Finding a good lawyer
Look for an attorney who has worked on pedestrian injury claims in the past and is locally based in Atlanta. You should be sure that the lawyer has trial experience and can take the matter aggressively when required. You can compare pedestrian accident lawyers based on social media reviews, although it is always wise to meet the attorney in person.
