Just about everyone in Duluth is a pedestrian from time to time. Even if you do not commute to work or school on foot or regularly take long walks, you become a pedestrian when you exit your car and walk across the grocery store parking lot. And while Georgia law has protections in place for pedestrians, motorists do not always respect pedestrians’ rights. At other times, inattentive drivers might not even notice a pedestrian until it is too late. Because pedestrians are far more vulnerable than vehicle occupants, accidents can leave them with catastrophic and even fatal injuries.
If you have suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident, you may feel overwhelmed with worry about how to afford your medical bills and other accident-related expenses. This problem may feel even more severe if your injuries have prevented you from returning to work. But you don’t need to lose hope. An experienced Duluth pedestrian accident attorney from Kevin A. Adamson, P.C. can help you pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.
What Are Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Duluth?
Some frequent causes of pedestrian accidents in Duluth include:
- Distracted driving due to texting, eating, or talking on the phone
- Drivers not yielding properly to pedestrians in crosswalks
- Speeding along roads with pedestrian crossings
- Drunk driving
- Poor lighting at intersections or along walking paths
What Are the Most Frequent Injuries That Happen in a Pedestrian Accident?
Pedestrians involved in traffic collisions tend to sustain severe, debilitating injuries due to the sheer size and speed potential of a motor vehicle.
Common pedestrian accident injuries include:
- Head and brain trauma, including concussions, skull fractures, and brain bleeding or swelling
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Severe cuts and abrasions from hitting the pavement
- Paralysis
- Permanent disabilities, such as brain damage or loss of limb function
The severity of these injuries can require intensive and expensive medical procedures, extended hospitalization, and a long-term need for rehabilitation.
In some cases, the injuries may be fatal. In such tragic circumstances, family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim to hold the at-fault party accountable for their negligent actions. Contact our Duluth car accident lawyer today.
Are There Certain Areas Where Pedestrian Accidents Are More Likely to Happen?
Pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere. However, accidents are most likely to occur in intersections, parking lots, and residential neighborhoods.
Intersections
Intersections present an increased risk of accidents in general. Pedestrian accidents are particularly common at intersections, though. One of the primary reasons for this heightened risk is that traffic flows in multiple directions at intersections. As a result, collisions often occur when a motorist is worrying about the vehicles coming from one direction without noticing what is happening elsewhere. In such cases, they might not see that a pedestrian has a walk sign. This situation is particularly problematic when a vehicle is turning right at a red light.
Parking Lots
The increased risk of pedestrian accidents in parking lots is due to the fact that these locations tend to have many pedestrians and motorists in the same space. Drivers may also sometimes be so focused on finding a good parking space that they fail to notice people coming into the lane on foot.
Residential Neighborhoods
While anyone can suffer injuries in a pedestrian accident in a residential neighborhood, children are especially at risk because their small size may put them below the normal field of vision. As such, inattentive motorists might not see kids playing in the street – and the consequences can be tragic.
Are Pedestrians Covered by Georgia Law When They Are Legally Crossing a Road?
Georgia law requires motorists to stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian legally crossing on a crosswalk to pass. Drivers must also make every effort to avoid striking pedestrians who are crossing at other locations. Once a pedestrian has entered a roadway under safe conditions, even if there’s no crosswalk at that location, they have the right of way.
How Do You Prove Who Was At Fault for the Accident?
Proving fault for a pedestrian accident involves conducting a thorough investigation of the collision and its causes.
After your initial consultation, a pedestrian accident attorney can begin building your case by:
- Obtaining a copy of the official police report
- Collecting photos and videos of the accident and your injuries
- Consulting with medical experts and accident reconstructionists who can provide professional insights into the causes of the crash
- Speaking with eyewitnesses who saw the accident
- Accessing data from the vehicle’s onboard computer systems, if applicable
What Compensation Can I Receive for a Duluth Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit?
While the compensation available to each pedestrian accident victim varies depending on the circumstances, you may be able to seek compensation for losses such as:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages due to missed time at work
- Reduced earning capacity in cases of disability or disfigurement
- Physical and psychological pain and suffering
An experienced Duluth personal injury attorney can give you an idea of how much you may be owed in your case.
What Is the Georgia Statute of Limitations for Filing a Personal Injury Claim?
Georgia law allows pedestrian accident victims two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. If you don’t meet this deadline, you may lose your right to recover compensation in court. A knowledgeable Georgia pedestrian accident attorney can ensure that you file any legal action promptly to protect your claim. Contact our Duluth pedestrian accident lawyer today.
Contact a Duluth Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Living with pedestrian accident injuries can be overwhelming. In addition to the physical pain and mounting legal bills, many injury victims feel immense anxiety about what their future will look like. Working with a skilled pedestrian accident attorney can give you the confidence you need to move forward into a brighter future.
The attorneys at Kevin A. Adamson, P.C. have decades of combined experience helping injured Georgians secure the compensation they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how we can help you.