Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Cobb County, GA Ensuring Injured Victims Get Justice
Crosswalks, stop lights, sidewalks, and other safety measures make pedestrian activity in Cobb County relatively safe. Still, individuals crossing or walking along roadways are uniquely vulnerable to serious injury in a traffic accident.
If you suffered harm as a pedestrian, an experienced attorney could analyze the circumstances of your case and explain your options for recovery. A Cobb County pedestrian accident lawyer could help you seek compensation for the pain, suffering, and anguish you have endured, as well as monetary awards to cover the medical bills and lost income due to time off work.
How Do Most Pedestrian Accidents Happen?
Pedestrian accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. A majority of the time, accidents occur when drivers aren’t paying attention and fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Pedestrians also can be injured or killed when they’re crossing the street outside of a crosswalk, particularly if they’re crossing in between two lanes of traffic. In some cases, pedestrians may be struck by a car that’s backing up.
There are a few things pedestrians can do to help reduce their risk of being involved in an accident. First, always obey the traffic signals and only cross the street when it’s safe to do so. It’s also important to be aware of your surroundings and make sure you’re visible to drivers when crossing the street. If you’re walking at night, try to wear light-colored clothing and carry a flashlight. Finally, always stay alert when walking, and avoid using electronic devices that may distract you from what’s going on around you.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a pedestrian accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your case. A lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact Scott A. Pryor, Attorney at Law, LLC today to discuss your case with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Cobb County.
What Are The Most Common Injuries From a Pedestrian Accident?
Pedestrian accidents can result in a variety of injuries, some more severe than others. The most common injuries are:
-Head injuries: These are very serious and can often be fatal. They can occur when a pedestrian is hit by a car, truck, or another type of vehicle. The most common type of head injury is a concussion. A concussion is a type of brain injury that is caused by a blow to the head. It can lead to dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Other types of head injuries include skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries. A skull fracture is a break in the bone of the skull. A traumatic brain injury is a serious injury to the brain that can result in permanent damage.
If you are hit by a car while walking, it is important to seek medical attention right away. You may have a head injury even if you don’t feel any pain. Head injuries should always be evaluated by a doctor. Treatment for head injuries may include rest, medication, and physical therapy. In some cases, surgery may be required.
-Back and neck injuries: These are some of the most common injuries sustained in pedestrian accidents. These injuries can range from mild to severe and can often require extensive treatment and rehabilitation. Back and neck injuries can cause a number of debilitating symptoms, including:
- Pain
- Numbness or tingling
- Weakness
- Difficulty moving the neck or back
These symptoms can significantly impair a person’s quality of life, making it difficult to work or perform everyday activities. Back and neck injuries can also be quite expensive to treat. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, it is important to seek medical attention right away. You may also want to consult with an attorney to discuss your legal options.
-Broken bones: Are a common injury amongst pedestrians. A broken bone can be very painful and may require surgery to fix. Most broken bones will heal within a few months, but some may require lifelong treatment. Some common symptoms of a broken bone include pain, swelling, and bruising.
-Internal Injuries: Pedestrian accidents can cause a range of internal injuries, from bruising and lacerations to more serious injuries such as broken bones, organ damage, and head injuries. Internal injuries can be extremely dangerous and often require emergency treatment. Some common symptoms of internal injuries include:
- Severepain
- Vomitingornausea
- Difficultybreathing
- Swellingorbruising
- Bloodinvomitorstool
If you experience any of these symptoms after a pedestrian accident, seek medical attention immediately. Delaying treatment can lead to further injury or even death.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident, it is important to get medical help right away. These injuries can be serious and may require long-term treatment. If you have been injured, contact a personal injury attorney to discuss your legal options today.
Am I Eligible to Recover Compensation Through a Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Someone injured in a pedestrian accident may be entitled to receive compensation, often referred to as damages, if another person is responsible for the injuries they have suffered. Compensation is often provided by the responsible person’s insurance company.
In order to obtain damages after a pedestrian accident, an injured individual must prove that the other person acted with negligence or deliberate wrongdoing and that this failure to act responsibly is what caused the accident. Evidence to establish liability ideally should be collected as soon as possible after an accident. Experienced personal injury lawyers could help collect and preserve evidence and present this evidence persuasively to help establish liability.
Recoverable Damages in a Pedestrian Injury Case
Whether compensation is awarded by a court or obtained through settlement negotiations, amounts may be provided to offset various factors associated with the pedestrian accident. These factors include economic losses that are relatively straightforward to calculate as well as intangible factors with no established value.
A lawyer could help an injured pedestrian recover damages for:
- Lost wages caused by time off work
- Medical bills
- Anticipated future medical needs, including therapy
- Transportation to medical visits
- Reduced future income potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
If a situation involves extremely serious or deliberate wrongdoing, courts may award punitive damages in addition to the other compensation. Punitive damages are intended to punish a wantonly reckless defendant and deter similar behavior in the future.
What Are The Necessary Steps Needed to Receive Compensation?
Pedestrian accidents can result in serious injuries, and often it is difficult to prove who is at fault. If you are injured in a pedestrian accident, there are some necessary steps you need to take in order to receive compensation.
First, you should seek medical attention for your injuries. Even if you do not think your injuries are serious, it is important to get checked out by a doctor. Many times, injuries from pedestrian accidents can be hidden or delayed.
Second, you should contact an attorney. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to help you navigate the complex legal process and will work to get you the best possible outcome.
Third, you should gather evidence related to the accident. This includes taking pictures of the scene, getting contact information from witnesses, and recording the insurance information of the other driver.
If you take these steps after a pedestrian accident, you will have a better chance of receiving compensation for your injuries.
Contact a Cobb County Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today
State law only allows an accident victim two years to complete preparation and file a lawsuit, running from the initial date of the accident; this is known as the statute of limitations. Claims filed after the time limit has passed will likely be dismissed by the court.
Because of this, it will be unlikely to obtain a settlement after that time as well. A pedestrian accident lawyer in Cobb County could help ensure that appropriate actions are taken within the deadlines established by the statute of limitations.
The best time to collect evidence to support a finding of liability is immediately after an accident. As time goes on, the scene of the accident will change, so photographs become less relevant. Witnesses may be more difficult to locate, and their memory could be less reliable. Other evidence, such as video recordings, may no longer be available.
An experienced Cobb County pedestrian accident lawyer could help with evidence collection and advocate on your behalf. While your attorney answers questions from insurance investigators and others, you can focus on healing and putting your life back together. If you are seeking justice for wrongful death, our law firm can also help with your claim. We are well versed in personal injury claims and know how a serious pedestrian accident can affect those you love. To learn more about how a pedestrian accident attorney could assist you, call (404) 474-7122 today for a free consultation.
