If you suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident caused by a careless or reckless driver, you may have the right to pursue compensation from the negligent motorist. An Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyer from our team can help. At Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group, we build strong legal cases and fight for justice for our clients.
Contact our pedestrian accident law firm today for a free legal consultation. We will review the facts of your accident, explain the best way to approach your case, and discuss your options for seeking compensation. We can also answer your questions and explain our fees and legal services during a complimentary case review.
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Reasons to Choose Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group for Your Pedestrian Accident Claim
At Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group, our pedestrian accident law firm fights to help victims recover the financial compensation they deserve. We believe that pedestrians hit by negligent drivers should not have to pay for their injuries and related losses out of their own pockets. Our team is here to hold careless and reckless drivers responsible for their actions through a personal injury claim.
Our Atlanta pedestrian accident attorneys also believe that crash victims deserve to have someone protecting their legal rights as they focus on recovering physically and emotionally from their injuries. We can protect your rights while providing support, advocacy, and guidance. We can also seek financial recovery on your behalf. Our attorneys handle all legal aspects of your pedestrian accident case, so you can focus on healing.
We understand that pedestrian accident injuries often come with costly medical expenses, lost wages, and other significant expenses. That's why we represent injured clients on a contingency basis. Crash victims can afford to hire our team since there are no upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs. Instead, we work for a percentage of the payment we recover in the case, never charging attorney's fees unless we win..
How Your Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Attorney Builds a Case Against the At-Fault Driver
In car vs. pedestrian crashes in Atlanta, state law has numerous provisions to protect pedestrians. When a driver violates one of these laws and causes a pedestrian accident injury, Georgia law also allows the victim to pursue a claim against them for financial compensation.
Our Atlanta pedestrian accident law firm has a comprehensive understanding of both local traffic laws and Georgia law as it relates to your personal injury case. We will use our deep knowledge to build a compelling claim on your behalf and hold the negligent driver or other party accountable.
Building a solid case requires proving four elements of negligence:
- The driver had a duty to behave a certain way, usually established by traffic or pedestrian safety laws in Georgia
- They breached this duty, usually by violating a law
- This breach caused the collision
- The pedestrian suffered physically and financially as a result of the collision
Atlanta Pedestrian Accidents Are on the Rise
Atlanta pedestrian accidents are a serious concern both for city planners and residents alike. Atlanta is a particularly dangerous city for pedestrians, and crashes involving motor vehicles and pedestrians are common. City planners and administrators continue to try to reduce the risks, but finding solutions is challenging.
According to the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), traffic accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists increased from an annual total of 1,685 to 2,581 over seven years. This 53 percent increase in collisions stemmed from a dramatic rise in pedestrian accidents.
The ARC study also found several significant factors contribute to Atlanta pedestrian accidents. More than half of pedestrian collisions occurred in areas where the speed limit is 35 miles per hour or higher. More accidents also occurred on streets with four or more lanes. The most serious pedestrian accidents, including fatal pedestrian accidents, occurred at night. Poorly designed, non-functioning, or non-existent crosswalks also play a role in causing pedestrian injuries.
What are the Most Dangerous Intersections in Atlanta for Pedestrians?
A Safer Streets study conducted as part of Atlanta’s Transportation Plan found the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians include:
- Cleveland Avenue at Metropolitan Parkway
- Williams Street at Ivan Allen Boulevard
- Hamilton E. Holmes Drive at Joseph E. Boone Boulevard
- Peachtree Street at Collier Road
- Peachtree Street at Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
- Peachtree Road at Pharr Road
- Clifton Street at Memorial Drive
- Memorial Drive at Peachtree Road
- McDonough Boulevard at Moreland Drive
- 4th Street at Spring Street
Understanding where and when pedestrian accidents occur can help planners reduce the rate of these crashes, but it does not help those who have already suffered injuries. Our team gives injured pedestrians the support and legal representation they need to seek the compensation they deserve.
Types of Injuries, Evidence, and Damages in Atlanta Pedestrian Crashes
A heavy vehicle made of metal and fiberglass that strikes a person on foot can cause catastrophic pedestrian accident injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord damage
- Amputations
- Broken bones or fractures
- Crush injuries
- Internal injuries
- Burns
- Death
Studies show that among those who sustain traumatic brain injuries in traffic accidents, pedestrian deaths are much more likely than fatalities among vehicle occupants. In general, pedestrians tend to suffer much more serious injuries when involved in motor vehicle accidents.
Our Pedestrian Accident Law Firm Can Gather Evidence After an Atlanta Crash
As attorneys who handle personal injury claims and lawsuits, our team understands how different each pedestrian accident claim can be. We thoroughly investigate the details of the accident to get a better picture of what happened, who is responsible, and what damages you suffered.
Potential evidence in a pedestrian accident case includes:
- The accident or police report filed by responding officers
- An accident scene survey
- Eyewitness statements
- Accident reconstruction
- Relevant medical records
- Records of other pedestrian accidents in the area
- Expert analysis of injuries, future medical needs, and economic effects
- Documentation of recoverable damages
Once we have the necessary evidence to support your claim or lawsuit, we can calculate a fair settlement range for your case.
Identifying the Recoverable Damages After a Pedestrian Collision
Recoverable damages differ from case to case but often include:
- Medical expenses, treatment, and related costs
- Future medical needs and ongoing care expenses
- Income losses
- Reduced earning capacity because of lasting injuries
- Property damage
- Miscellaneous expenses with receipts
- Pain and suffering damages
Economic damages are relatively straightforward. Your Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyer can calculate treatment costs to date from medical bills, assess lost wages, earnings, and income from pay stubs, and examine other records and receipts to determine total current financial losses.
However, estimating future expenses and losses is more difficult. We often work with experts to understand our client's prognosis, ongoing care and support needs, and future medical treatment. This information also helps us predict future income losses.
Lastly, we use everything else we have learned about our injured client's life to determine how much non-economic damages might be worth. Because pain and suffering and other emotional damages are intangible losses, we rely on our experience with similar cases, knowledge of the calculation process, and other resources to estimate these damages
What Wrongful Death Damages Are Available After a Deadly Pedestrian Accident?
Our attorneys also handle wrongful death cases under the applicable state law. If your loved one died from severe injuries in a fatal pedestrian accident, our Atlanta pedestrian accident law firm can estimate the value of the case and file a claim or lawsuit to recover damages for your family. Learn more during your free initial consultation with our team.
How We Fight for a Pedestrian Accident Victim
If you suffered injuries when a careless or reckless driver hit you, an Atlanta pedestrian accident attorney is here to help. We begin by thoroughly investigating the crash and gathering evidence to support the allegations that the motorist caused the accident and your injuries.
Once we have the necessary evidence, we have two options for pursuing compensation:
In general, an injured claimant can pursue a couple of alternatives to request compensation from a responsible party:
- Demanding compensation through an insurance claim
- Filing a lawsuit against the liable party and preparing the case for court
Depending on the circumstances of your case, we can explain which option is best or if we need to shift from one option to the other. We often negotiate a settlement in pedestrian accident cases without suing. Many filed lawsuits also end in out-of-court settlements, with few actually going to trial. Rest assured, our pedestrian lawyers in Atlanta are fully prepared to represent you before a judge and jury when necessary to protect your rights and recover the compensation you deserve.
Generally, injury victims have up to two years from the date of an accident to sue the at-fault party. Some exceptions can shorten this timeline, so we encourage you to contact Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group about your accident as soon as your injuries allow. Speaking with our personal injury team as soon as possible gives us the best opportunity to develop a strong case and protect your right to pursue fair compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Answered by Our Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
There are several common questions that pedestrian accident victims often ask our attorneys. Please note that the answers provided below are general answers that apply to a wide range of accident cases. We can offer answers specific to your case and circumstances during your free consultation with our team.
What to Do After an Atlanta Pedestrian Accident
The aftermath of a pedestrian accident can be chaotic.
However, if possible, you should:
- File a crash report. Even pedestrians should file an accident report if a vehicle hit them. The crash report can serve as crucial evidence of the driver’s negligence.
- Get medical care promptly. If you have any injury symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you think you're unharmed, you may still want to see a doctor just to rule out any hidden complications of the crash.
- Follow your advised treatment plan. It's crucial to listen to your doctor's orders after an accident. The other party may offer a lower settlement, claiming you made your initial injuries worse because you delayed or avoided treatment.
- Be brief with the insurance company. If you get a call from an insurance company's representative, know that you are under no obligation to give them detailed information about the accident or your injuries. Also, if they ask you to give a recorded statement, decline because your comments could be interpreted negatively in the context of your case. When you partner with a lawyer from our team, we can handle communications with insurance companies and protect your rights.
- Get a free case review from an experienced personal injury attorney. We offer free consultations so that you can understand your legal options. Knowing what to expect after a pedestrian accident can help you maximize your recoverable compensation.
How Much Is My Atlanta Pedestrian Injury Case Worth?
There is no way to know how much your pedestrian accident and injuries might be worth until we gather documentation of your damages and calculate a fair range of financial recovery. This essential step in the process ensures that we seek the right payment for your losses.
If you consider accepting an offer before knowing the full range of your recoverable damages, you could leave thousands of dollars on the table. Because you cannot seek additional compensation after accepting a settlement, you might also have to pay for future medical care and other related expenses from your own pocket.
How Long Will It Take to Receive Money for My Pedestrian Accident Damages?
There is also no way to know exactly how long it will take to settle your case. Some cases are resolved in only a few weeks, while others stretch on for a year or more. It generally takes longer if a case goes to trial than it does to settle, but sometimes, going to trial is necessary to recover fair compensation.
Many different factors affect how long it takes to navigate the claims process or the legal system to recover compensation for injured pedestrians. Your attorney can offer advice and guidance about paying bills and meeting your financial obligations in the meantime.
The Insurance Company Made an Offer. Should I Agree to a Settlement in My Case?
Victims often get excited when the negligent driver’s insurance provider makes a quick settlement offer. These offers often come in the first few weeks after a crash and may sound like a lot of money. However, accepting a settlement is not a good idea until you have a full understanding of the true value of your case.
Our attorneys establish a fair settlement range for every accident case before we file a claim, so we know when negotiations reach that acceptable range. Agreeing to a payout too early, especially before you know how much your total future medical care and lost income will cost, is a bad idea. You could lose a lot of money and struggle to pay for your needs in the future.
What If My Loved One Suffered Injuries But Cannot Act on Their Own?
Our team represents families whose loved ones suffered catastrophic injuries and cannot take legal action on their own behalf. We can discuss your legal options during a free case review. If your spouse, child, or parent has a significant injury that prevents them from contacting us, we encourage you to reach out.
At Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group, we handle personal injury cases and wrongful death actions. We can help you and your family seek compensation based on the facts of your loved one’s case.
Do I Have to Sue the Driver to Recover Compensation?
Not all pedestrian accident cases require us to sue the at-fault driver. Even fewer require us to take the case to trial. We often demand compensation from the insurance company based on their policyholder’s actions and negotiate a fair settlement for our clients. Whenever this is possible, we may not need to file a civil lawsuit.
Our attorneys assess the best options for every client in every case. Sometimes, there are benefits to filing a lawsuit, but this does not necessarily mean the case will go to trial. We only take accident cases to trial when there are advantages for our clients. We can discuss these advantages if they exist in your case.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
We will never charge you anything upfront to partner with our pedestrian accident law firm. When you choose to work with our Atlanta personal injury lawyers, you do so under a contingency fee arrangement, meaning that we must obtain a favorable settlement or verdict in your case for our attorneys to be paid.
Additionally, we'll handle all expenses related to filing fees, investigations, and expert witnesses throughout the duration of your claim. Therefore, you can rest easy knowing that you will not have to grapple with additional costs while you're still recovering from your injuries.
Discuss Your Case With an Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Attorney On Our Team for a Free Consultation
Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group provides free case reviews for pedestrian accident clients to ask their questions and understand their legal rights. If you suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident in Atlanta, discuss your legal rights with one of our pedestrian accident lawyers, and let us explain how we can pursue compensation for you.
Contact us at (833) 285-9467 to learn how our Atlanta personal injury attorneys fight for justice in cases like yours.
We proudly serve the entire Atlanta area, including neighborhoods like Brookhaven, Druid Hills, Buckhead, Chastain Park, Garden Hills, Piedmont Heights, Midtown, Downtown Atlanta, Grove Park, Inman Park, South Atlanta, East Atlanta Village, West End, and Atlantic Station.