Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Columbus, GA Providing Clients with Great Results

Choosing to walk to school, work, or run errands may seem like the safest possible option. However, it is not uncommon for negligent drivers to injure pedestrians at crosswalks or even if the pedestrian never leaves a sidewalk.

The simple fact remains that walkers may be just as vulnerable to accidents as drivers. Worse, pedestrians have no protection from the forces that may inflict severe physical injuries, financial problems, or emotional trauma.

Any person who suffers an injury because of the negligence of others has the right to demand compensation. A Columbus pedestrian accident lawyer may be able to help you to set things right. A personal injury attorney could provide essential information about the rights of pedestrians, explain how a defendant’s actions violated those rights, and work to demand fair compensation for your losses. For a free consultation, call our Columbus personal injury law firm at (404) 474-7122 and get the dedicated and compassionate representation you deserve.

How Do Most Pedestrian Accidents Happen?

There are a number of ways that pedestrian accidents can happen, but some are more common than others. In order to help keep yourself safe when walking, it’s important to be aware of the most common causes of these accidents.

The most common cause of pedestrian accidents is distracted driving. When drivers are not paying attention to the road, they may not see pedestrians in their path. This can lead to serious injuries or even death.

Another common cause of pedestrian accidents is drunk driving. Drivers who have been drinking are more likely to make mistakes and may not see pedestrians until it’s too late. If you’re out walking, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and be cautious of drivers who may be under the influence.

Speeding is also a major factor in pedestrian accidents. When drivers are going too fast, they may not have time to stop if someone walks out in front of them. This can lead to catastrophic injuries or death.

Pedestrian accidents can also happen when drivers fail to yield the right of way. In some cases, drivers may not see pedestrians and will continue driving even though the pedestrian has the right of way. This can be a very dangerous situation and can easily lead to an accident.

If you’re a pedestrian, it’s important to be aware of these common causes of accidents. By being cautious and paying attention to your surroundings, you can help avoid becoming injured in an accident. However, even taking all of these precautions can still leave you reeling. Our law firm can help you with your case and make the most out of your situation.

The Obligations of Drivers to Protect Pedestrians

Every driver assumes a duty to protect all other people whenever they get behind the wheel. Naturally, this duty extends to pedestrians who may be walking in a parking lot, crossing the street using a crosswalk, or even getting out of their cars from a parked position.

Specifically, O.C.G.A. §40-6-91 states that drivers must yield the right of way to any pedestrian who is within the road using a crosswalk. However, this statute also places a burden on pedestrians to not suddenly leave the curb in such a way as to make it impractical for a driver to yield.

Indeed, most cases involving pedestrian accidents are a balancing act between evaluating the actions of drivers and those of pedestrians. O.C.G.A. §40-6-90 requires all passengers to follow traffic control signals in the same way as motorists. As a result, courts in Columbus pedestrian accident cases will evaluate the actions of all involved parties to determine who was at fault for a collision. This is especially important since state law says that a plaintiff who is more than 50 percent to blame for an accident cannot collect compensation. A Columbus pedestrian accident lawyer could help to explain the pedestrian safety laws and to prove that a defendant’s negligence was the cause of the accident.

What Damages Can I Recover in a Pedestrian Accident Case?

Similar to car accidents and other motor vehicle accidents, proving that a defendant was negligent is only one part of a successful pedestrian accident claim. A complete case will obtain all the compensation necessary to set things right. The important first step in this process is making an accurate measurement of one’s losses.

Every pedestrian accident claim must center around a physical injury. These typically include broken bones, severe cuts, separated joints, and traumatic brain injuries. However, a plaintiff who stops with these losses may be selling their case short.

Many incidents result in severe financial losses due to lost time at work or a permanent loss of occupation. Others have a profound emotional impact in the form of post-traumatic stress, loss of quality of life, or pain associated with the physical injury. A Columbus pedestrian accident lawyer could help to accurately measure one’s losses to demand compensation that fits the level of losses in the claim.

Through a free case review, attorney Scott Pryor can help you understand what types of damages may be available in your case and can begin building a plan to give you the results you deserve.