Hit by a Car? Get a Free Consultation With a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

What You Need to Know About Pedestrian Injuries

Getting injured at a crosswalk happens more often than you may realize. Unlike car accidents, people don’t seem to talk about crosswalk accidents as much. Statistics state that 15 injured pedestrians per day die nationwide.

Victims of crosswalk injuries are usually unsure of what to do, their rights, and the cause of the accident. No worries. The Brown Firm can answer your questions and represent you in your case.

Our team has more than 30 years of combined experience with personal injury accidents, including crosswalk accidents and hit-and-run incidents.

I met with Harry Brown personally and he sat with me for 20 minutes at our initial consultation to explain everything. He even called after my surgery to see how I was doing. I met with him several more times after that and was kept informed about my case throughout. I highly recommend Harry Brown as an attorney.

STEVEN SWEENY

Common Reasons Crosswalk Accidents Occur

Distracted driving: The driver could be on the cell phone, eating, or looking at something else going on around them and miss traffic signals.
Drunk driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can cause a delay in reaction time and blurred vision and lead to an accident. Of crashes that resulted in pedestrian deaths, 48% involved intoxicated drivers or pedestrians.
Engineering issues: If an intersection was not well thought out, there is more room for error on the driver’s end.
Drivers not following laws: Speeding is a common traffic law people overlook that has serious side effects.
Pedestrians not following crosswalk signs: If the crosswalk symbol says “no walking,” do not walk.

Using Crosswalks Safely and According to Georgia Law

Jaywalking is not mentioned in any of Georgia’s pedestrian laws. Therefore, crossing anywhere, in most cases, is legal and those on foot have the right of way. Pedestrians need to yield to traffic before crossing and follow signals at intersections crosswalks. Another important rule is to never cross at an intersection diagonally.

If the symbol is blinking, you can continue crossing, much like a yellow light when driving. Cars must wait for you to finish crossing. If the signal is already blinking, you should not start walking.

Ready to Talk to a Lawyer Who Has Your Back?

Serious Injuries

Pedestrian accidents are often traumatic because your body cannot take the impact of a motor vehicle. The accident injuries are usually serious, if not fatal, resulting in significant medical expenses or even a wrongful death.

Here are typical injuries of someone hit by a car while walking:

Paralysis or other spinal cord injuries that cause loss of function
Broken bones or damage to other parts of the musculoskeletal system
Lacerations and bruises that cause damage to organs
Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
Dental damages
Vision loss
Disfigurement
Pedestrian fatalities

If you experience catastrophic injuries and the negligent driver was found to be reckless, you may be entitled to punitive damages beyond your compensation. Your Atlanta pedestrian accident attorney can discuss this with you further.

Determining Fault in a Pedestrian Accident Case

It is left up to authorities on the scene to compile the report, which includes collected evidence. The pedestrian accident attorneys will determine who is at fault. This is why you need to know what to do if you have been injured as a pedestrian.

Follow these 4 steps:

Get medical treatment: Many pedestrian accidents involve on-scene ambulance care. Do not refuse treatment.

Get information on everyone involved: Gathering insurance information and contact information can help your case.

Take photos: Having visual evidence of your injuries, damages, and the scene of the accident can help your case.

Contact The Brown Firm: Do not share your side of the story before contacting an Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyer. Unfortunately, people will try to twist your words because they do not want to be blamed for the accident. You especially have to watch out for insurance companies.

Preventing Injuries

Even though drivers are usually at fault for pedestrian-involved vehicle accidents, there are preventative measures you can take as a pedestrian.

Increase visibility by wearing reflective gear and carrying a flashlight at night.

Walk on sidewalks or paths if available and use shoulder-facing traffic when there is no safe walking space.
Cross at designated areas if possible. Even though you can cross in most areas in Georgia, the marked area is where cars are more mindful of pedestrians.
Only cross when you can clearly see both ways to ensure there is no car coming. If you cannot see them, they most likely won’t be able to see you.

We Can Help!

Set up a free consultation with an experienced attorney at The Brown Firm if you or a loved one have been injured as a pedestrian.

Remember, anyone involved in an automobile accident while on foot is a pedestrian. Know your rights and get the best representation in the state of Georgia for pedestrian injuries.

Our team works to help Georgia residents get the care they need after a personal injury accident. From your case evaluation to sorting through medical bills to answering questions about property damage, we’re here for you.

Don’t hesitate to call our Georgia pedestrian accident lawyers in Atlanta, Athens, and Savannah. We also have an office in Okatie, South Carolina. Get a better understanding of what your options are when it comes to dealing with the law and the other driver’s insurance company.