Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Athens

Motor vehicle accidents that involve pedestrians can cause devastating injuries. An unprotected person on foot is simply no match for a moving vehicle that weighs over two tons. The injuries can prove fatal in some accidents.

Motorists often fail to look out for people on foot walking beside the road or crossing an intersection. A driver making a turn at an intersection may cause an accident by failing to yield to a pedestrian who has the right of way to cross the intersection with the light. Drivers who speed or get behind the wheel drowsy, drunk, or distracted put Athens pedestrians in danger. If you have been injured in a pedestrian collision caused by a reckless driver, you may have the right to seek significant financial compensation. Contact our Athens pedestrian accident attorney today.

Nearby Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Athens

If you or your loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Athens, Georgia, you should have a pedestrian accident attorney review your case. Alan Cleveland has decades of experience representing victims of personal injuries. Our legal team believes in aggressively preparing your case for trial in order to obtain the best possible results for clients. Most cases are settled out of court. But we always prepare cases as if they are going to trial. This strategy allows us to negotiate from a position of strength and has helped us obtain millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements.

Call an Athens pedestrian accident attorney at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC at 706-363-4900 to understand your legal options.

What Should I Do Immediately After A Pedestrian Accident?

If you’re a pedestrian and have just been involved in an accident with a car in Athens, Georgia, here are some important steps you should consider taking:

1. Ensure Safety: Move to a safe area away from traffic if you can move without causing further injury. If you’re severely injured, try to stay still and wait for help.
2. Call for Help: Dial 911 immediately. Report the accident and request medical assistance if needed. Even if injuries seem minor, it’s crucial to have a medical evaluation as some injuries might not be immediately apparent.
3. Document the Scene: If you’re able, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damages. Try to capture different angles and details that might help in an investigation or insurance claim.
4. Collect Information: Get the driver’s name, contact information, insurance details, and the vehicle’s license plate number. If there are witnesses, try to get their contact information as well.
5. Report the Accident: Report the accident to the police if they didn’t come to the scene. A police report can be very helpful when dealing with insurance companies or if legal action is necessary.
6. Seek Medical Attention: Visit a hospital or your healthcare provider even if your injuries seem minor. This not only ensures your well-being but also creates a medical record that could be crucial if you pursue a legal claim.
7. Contact Your Insurance: Notify your own insurance company about the accident. Depending on your policy, you may have coverage for medical bills or other expenses.
8. Consult an Attorney: Consider consulting with a personal injury attorney who specializes in pedestrian accidents. An attorney can provide advice on your rights and help you navigate the claims process or pursue compensation.
9. Keep Records: Keep all documentation related to the accident and your injuries, including medical records, bills, and any correspondence with insurance companies or involved parties.
10. Follow-up: Stay on top of your medical treatment and keep track of any symptoms or issues that arise. Follow up with your attorney and insurance companies as required.

These steps are important to protect your health and legal rights following such an incident.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents are more likely to occur at night in urban or suburban neighborhoods, according to The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. People on foot are harder to see at night, particularly if they are wearing dark clothing.

While pedestrians sometimes are at fault, irresponsible drivers cause many Athens pedestrian accidents by:

• Failing to stop at a stop sign
• Failing to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk
• Driving while intoxicated
• Texting while driving
• Driving drowsy
• Failing to observe the speed limit
• Driving too fast for weather conditions
• Failing to check mirrors while operating a vehicle in reverse.

If the driver is at fault, the driver may be held legally liable for the pedestrian’s injuries. Contact our Athens pedestrian accident lawyer today.

Common Injuries Caused by Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents can cause devastating and life-threatening injuries. Some common injuries caused by pedestrian accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries such as skull fractures, brain hemorrhaging, and blood clots
• Concussions
• Fractures to the legs, hips, and pelvis that require surgical repair
• Multiple rib fractures, which may puncture the lung
• Spinal cord injuries that can lead to partial or total paralysis
• Internal injuries and life-threatening bleeding
• Crush injuries to the extremities requiring amputation
• Tears to ligaments and tendons in the knees and shoulders

People injured in pedestrian accidents often require hospitalization, surgery, and months of therapy. Victims of pedestrian accidents may also suffer from emotional trauma. No lawyer can undo your suffering. But our pedestrian injury attorneys at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC can help you seek just compensation money to rebuild your life after a serious injury.

How Do You Prove Fault in a Pedestrian Accident in Athens?

If you are involved in a pedestrian accident in Athens, you should immediately call the police to report the accident or have someone call for you. If you do not need immediate emergency medical treatment, you should remain at the scene of the accident until the police arrive. It is important to cooperate with the investigating officer and answer the officer’s questions. Ask how you can get a copy of the police report and when it will be available.

You also should write down the names and addresses of any eyewitnesses to the accident. You may ask them to give their own statements to the police.

If you’re able, take photographs of the scene. Photograph your injuries too. These images may be used to substantiate your claim. If there are no photographs available, your attorney can determine if there is any video of the accident from nearby security or traffic cameras.

As soon as possible, contact a qualified Athens personal injury attorney. Our legal team at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC will conduct a thorough investigation of your injury. This entails obtaining a copy of the police report, interviewing eyewitnesses to the accident, gathering evidence at the scene, and hiring an accident reconstructionist, if necessary. We’ll work to build a convincing case that the at-fault party owes you full and fair compensation.

Are There Laws in Georgia Protecting Pedestrians?

In Georgia, there are state statutes designed to help prevent pedestrian accidents. Drivers have a legal responsibility to drive safely so as not to endanger pedestrians.

Section 40-6-93 of the Georgia Code states that every driver shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian. Drivers must warn pedestrians of their presence with the car’s horn when necessary. The driver is also required to exercise proper precautions upon observing any child or any obviously confused, incapacitated, or intoxicated person.

Georgians should be aware that the law requires pedestrians in Athens to exercise care to avoid pedestrian accidents. Section 40-6-92 of the Georgia Code requires pedestrians to yield to traffic unless they are already in the crosswalk. It also prohibits pedestrians from crossing a roadway diagonally and jaywalking.

Of course, these laws can’t prevent a collision caused by a reckless or distracted driver who disregards safety precautions. Your lawyer can use Georgia’s pedestrian safety laws to develop a case that the person who hurt you failed to exercise due caution and should be held liable for the damages they caused.

What Are the Statistics for Pedestrian Accidents in Georgia?

Unfortunately, according to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, the number of pedestrian accidents is only increasing.

For example, pedestrian deaths in Georgia have increased by 60% in the five years between 2013 and 2018. In fact, 261 pedestrian deaths were reported in 2018, an increase from the 253 pedestrian deaths reported in 2017.

Evidence shows that both drivers’ and pedestrians’ use of cell phones contribute to the increase in pedestrian deaths in Georgia. Every driver on the road should put their phones away and keep their eyes on their road and mind on the task of driving.

Call the Athens Pedestrian Accident Lawyers at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC Following A Pedestrian Accident in Athens

If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, one of the best pedestrian collision lawyers in Athens at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC is ready to help. Our goal is to seek maximum compensation for your injuries from the at-fault party.

We provide our clients with one-on-one attention throughout the personal injury claim process. All of our clients have their attorney’s personal cellphone numbers in case they have questions.

The initial consultation about a pedestrian accident case is free, and there are no upfront costs for the client to pay. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means we don’t get paid unless we obtain a settlement or verdict for you.

Call an Athens personal injury lawyer at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC now to discuss your pedestrian accident case. Athens pedestrian accident lawyer. We’re available at 706-363-4900. We can also be reached through email or online chat.