When you cross a street anywhere in Georgia, the last concern you should have is getting hit by a car. The unfortunate truth is that you could cross streets hundreds of times without incident.
If you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, you could be struck by a distracted driver. There is only so much that you can do to protect yourself from such an accident.
That said, if you are hit by a car at a crosswalk or elsewhere, a Sandy Springs personal injury attorney can help you receive the compensation you may deserve.
Pedestrian accidents can have devastating effects, from broken bones and severe injuries to emotional distress or depression. These accidents are commonly fatal, especially if the victim is a child, elderly, or has a debilitating medical condition.
No matter the circumstance, the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm is committed to advocating for your rights.
No Georgian should live in fear of crossing the street due to distracted, drunk, or irresponsible drivers. To that end, Ali Awad and his team strive to ensure that your story is heard and that you’re treated fairly while navigating the legal system.
The CEO Lawyer has won millions of dollars for clients in a few short years. See how he can help you when you call (470) 323-8779 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation case review today.
How a Sandy Springs Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help You
Statistics from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) show that Georgia has one of the highest rates of pedestrian deaths in the United States. The fatality rates have skyrocketed in recent years: crosswalk deaths rose by nearly 60 percent between January to June 2019 and January to June 2022.
It’s also worth noting that 84 percent of pedestrian deaths happen overnight, and 95 percent of these deaths happen outside of crosswalks (in other words, many accidents happen while jaywalking).
The numbers don’t lie: pedestrian accidents are on the rise in Georgia. If you’re hit by a car, an accident attorney will help you by:
- Conducting investigative work: To get the compensation you may be entitled to, an attorney must build a compelling case. To this end, your attorney will interview witnesses, review camera footage (if applicable), speak with insurance companies, talk with law enforcement, and consult with medical experts to build a picture of your experience. Further, they’ll consider future projections for your medical costs and distress as they seek compensation on your behalf.
- Handling paperwork and scheduling: The majority of personal injury cases are settled outside of court. However, you still have to account for deadlines, paperwork, and meetings during mediation. Your attorney can coordinate these moving parts, send you updates, and let you know when your participation is needed. They’ll take care of the heavy lifting so that you can focus on recovering.
- Advocating for your rights: At times, you may feel that no one is listening as you deal with the hospital system, law enforcement, or insurance companies. People may dismiss your concerns, take weeks to return your calls or supply you with little to no information. The lack of response is discouraging as you try to find help with mounting medical bills or vehicle expenses. A lawyer can help you by ensuring your voice is heard. After all, these institutions don’t want to get into legal trouble, so they’ll cooperate with formal requests.
- Seeking compensation on your behalf: Ultimately, the goal of working with a personal injury attorney is to receive monetary compensation. A good attorney will seek as much compensation as is reasonable for your medical bills (current and projected), lost wages, and pain and suffering. They’ll fight to ensure you’re treated properly by insurance companies, medical providers, and other parties.
Some Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accidents can occur in any place at any time. If you’re driving, you can’t let your guard down since a pedestrian could show up instantaneously, inside or outside of a crosswalk.
If you’re a pedestrian, you should always be watchful for moving cars, even in unexpected areas. Nevertheless, reckless and dangerous drivers can still cause a pedestrian accident. The factors described below often contribute to pedestrian-vehicle accidents.
Poor Driving Conditions
Drivers are more likely to get distracted or confused in poor driving conditions. Navigating rain, snow, ice, darkness, or traffic requires focus and care.
If a driver miscalculates their speed or fails to notice someone crossing the street, the results could be devastating.
If you’re driving in poor conditions, protect yourself by using your headlights and windshield wipers. Make sure to utilize your turn signals and leave plenty of room for braking. In urban areas, reduce your speed and frequently scan crosswalks or crowded streets (even if you have the right of way).
If you’re walking on the roads in poor conditions, wear reflective clothing and only cross the street in designated areas. Remain on sidewalks and watch vehicles closely at all times.
Distracted Driving
Unfortunately, many drivers in the modern age are tempted to text and drive. People may even access social media apps or record themselves while driving.
In addition to phones, distractions can occur if you’re eating behind the wheel, dealing with kids or pets in the car, talking with passengers, fiddling with the radio or other devices, or multitasking in general. Undoubtedly, these distracting activities threaten the safety of other commuters and pedestrians.
Obstacles and people can appear on roads without warning. Therefore, you should eliminate distractions as much as possible.
When driving, keep your phone in a spot where you won’t automatically reach for it. Reduce the temptation to respond to texts or notifications by turning on “do not disturb” mode or powering the phone down.
As much as you can, eat food, chat with friends, or help children settle in before you start driving.
If you’re a pedestrian, remain alert at crosswalks and sidewalks. Don’t use your phone while crossing the street or navigating a busy roadway.
Further, watch the cars around you for signs of distracted driving. If a car is drifting, swerving, or moving much faster or slower than the posted speed limit, make every effort to steer clear.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is still a significant risk, even in the modern age of ridesharing apps and anti-drunk driving campaigns. Alcohol often impairs a person’s ability to rationalize, slows down their reaction times, and clouds their judgment.
Drunk driving is illegal in every state since the consequences can be so dire.
If you’re going to an event or a night out with friends, use ridesharing apps or arrange for transportation beforehand so that you’re not tempted to drive yourself. Let another friend or family member know your plans so that they can check in and ensure you have a safe way to get home.
As a pedestrian, watch for signs of erratic driving, like swerving, slowing and stopping, or drifting. Maintain a distance from unsafe cars when possible.
New Drivers
Learning to drive can be intimidating. Understandably, young or inexperienced drivers make mistakes as they discover the rules of the road and get used to operating a vehicle.
A new driver may underestimate the amount of time it takes to stop a vehicle, overcorrect during a turn, or fail to notice a stop sign.
If you’re a new driver, move slowly and carefully to ensure that you don’t miss road signs. Practice driving in safe, controlled environments, like empty parking lots or quiet streets, so that you can get used to your car’s braking system.
Remember to use turn signals and lights to maximize your visibility.
As a pedestrian, the most effective way to stay safe is to stay aware of the surrounding traffic. Situational awareness can go a long way toward avoiding unsafe cars.
Jaywalking
Lastly, jaywalking is a significant risk factor. Many pedestrian accidents occur outside of designated crosswalks. As a result, drivers need to watch for pedestrians anywhere on the road and at all times.
As a pedestrian, avoid jaywalking as much as you can. While not technically against Georgia law, it’s still a dangerous move that could end in disaster.
Contact a Sandy Springs Pedestrian Accident Law Firm
If you’ve been hit by a car while crossing the street, the CEO Lawyer Firm will stand up for your legal rights. Serving Atlanta and beyond, Ali Awad and his team have claimed millions of dollars in settlements and jury awards for clients in recent years.
The CEO Lawyer is the strong, results-oriented advocate you need on your side.
A pedestrian accident can leave you stuck with thousands of dollars in medical bills, physical disabilities, mental and emotional distress, and other complications. You deserve to meet with a professional who can help you receive the compensation you may be entitled to.
We are committed to helping you identify all responsible parties so that you can then claim the maximum compensation available. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our experienced firm today when you call (470) 323-8779 or contact us online.
