Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

How Can an Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Help You?

Accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles can be devastating, leaving individuals with severe injuries, medical bills, and emotional trauma. An Atlanta pedestrian accident attorney can be your strongest advocate, helping you navigate the complex legal landscape and seek the compensation you deserve. Choosing the right legal representation is a crucial step towards achieving a successful outcome and ensuring your rights are fully protected throughout the process.

• Legal Experience: Pedestrian accident attorneys are well-versed in the intricacies of personal injury law, especially as it pertains to accidents involving pedestrians. They have a deep understanding of the specific laws and regulations that protect pedestrians and can apply this knowledge to your case. This experience can be invaluable in building a strong legal argument on your behalf. Attorneys can also provide guidance on the potential timelines of a case and what to expect during each phase.
• Investigation and Gathering Evidence: One of the critical roles of a pedestrian accident attorney is to conduct a thorough investigation of the accident. This includes gathering evidence such as eyewitness testimonies, police reports, and surveillance footage. This evidence is essential in establishing liability and ensuring that you receive fair compensation for your injuries. Lawyers often collaborate with accident reconstruction experts to create a comprehensive picture of the incident, further solidifying your position.
• Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, as they aim to minimize payouts as much as possible. An experienced Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyer can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, ensuring that you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. They also help protect you from tactics insurance adjusters might use to undermine your claim.
• Handling Legal Proceedings: If negotiations fail, your attorney will be prepared to take your case to court. They will represent your interests, presenting your case and advocating for your rights. With their legal experience, they can significantly increase your chances of a successful outcome. Legal representation ensures that court procedures and filings are handled correctly, preventing any unnecessary delays.
• Compensation Recovery: Your pedestrian accident attorney in Atlanta will work tirelessly to secure compensation for you. This may include reimbursement for medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. They will ensure you are fairly compensated for the physical, emotional, and financial toll of the accident. Lawyers also strive to account for future medical treatments and long-term care needs.

Understanding Atlanta’s Unique Traffic Challenges for Pedestrian Safety

Navigating the streets of Atlanta as a pedestrian comes with its unique set of risks. With busy intersections like those near Five Points or along Peachtree Street, the mix of heavy foot traffic and bustling vehicles heightens the potential for accidents. Crosswalks, bus stops, and high-traffic areas near landmarks like Piedmont Park or the Georgia State Capitol can become hotspots for incidents when drivers fail to yield or stay alert. This situational awareness is vital for both pedestrians and drivers to mitigate potential accidents effectively.

The City of Atlanta and local government entities have implemented pedestrian safety measures to minimize risks, including clearly marked crosswalks and pedestrian-friendly traffic signals. However, these precautions alone can’t prevent all accidents, especially with an increase in distracted driving and speeding incidents in urban areas. Unfortunately, many Atlanta residents and visitors find themselves injured due to negligent drivers ignoring traffic laws or yielding requirements. As such, community awareness campaigns emphasizing pedestrian rights and safety are essential components of reducing these incidents.

At The Fowler Firm, we not only understand the unique dynamics of Atlanta’s roadways, but we are committed to helping injured pedestrians recover fair compensation for their suffering. Dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and the emotional toll of an accident can feel overwhelming. That’s why we focus on alleviating these burdens by guiding our clients through every step of the recovery process. Providing a compassionate and comprehensive support system is integral to our service philosophy.

Whether you were injured near downtown Atlanta, in neighborhoods like Buckhead, or along major transportation corridors, our team is here to help you seek the compensation you need. Together, we’ll work to hold negligent parties accountable and advocate for justice on your behalf. Our localized experience ensures that we are well-versed in the nuances and challenges specific to Atlanta's traffic and pedestrian laws, enhancing our ability to serve our clients effectively.

""​If you were injured during an accident as a pedestrian, reach out to one of the skilled attorneys at The Fowler Firm. Call (404) 995-1963 to schedule a free initial consultation as soon as possible.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

According to Georgia Statutes section O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, you have two years to file a pedestrian accident claim before the statute of limitations ends. If the statute of limitations ends before you file a claim, you will lose your right to do so. In some cases, there may be exceptions to this two-year rule, but the general advice is to err on the side of caution. You may benefit from speaking with a pedestrian accident attorney in Atlanta to understand what specific exceptions may apply to your situation. The importance of timely legal advice cannot be overstated, as delays might affect the gathering of critical evidence which diminishes over time.

What To Do If You Are a Pedestrian Hit by a Car

Accidents can happen at any time. If you or someone you love is struck by a vehicle while you are out walking, it is important to know what to do. Understanding these steps will not only help improve your safety and well-being but will also assist in building a strong case for recovery with the support of legal counsel.

• Seek medical attention right away, even if you do not feel hurt. Some injuries are slow to exhibit symptoms.
• Collect information from other parties, such as drivers or witnesses. Get driver's license information, insurance information, license plate numbers, and more.
• Take pictures at the scene of the accident -- be sure to take photos of details that might be relevant to the accident.
• Contact the police so that a police report is filed and will support your claim.
• Call an experienced Atlanta pedestrian accident attorney near you as soon as possible. The details of the incident will still be fresh in your mind, as well as in the minds of the witnesses and police -- if statements are needed from them, it will help your case.

What Are the Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

Pedestrian accidents may occur in a crosswalk, along a sidewalk, “soft” shoulder, or when someone is simply crossing the street. Though pedestrians are safest in crosswalks and on sidewalks, a collision with a motor vehicle can unfortunately occur any time a pedestrian is near a road. To best avoid accidents, both motorists and pedestrians should be as alert as possible at all times. Raising awareness about common accident causes can help stakeholders implement more effective preventative measures.

Some of the main causes of pedestrian accidents include:

• Backing out: Vehicles backing out of driveways, parking spots, and other areas are prone to striking pedestrians, including children, if they don't carefully monitor what is behind them.
• Bad weather: If a motorist fails to exercise caution in weather conditions such as fog, rain, or ice, it is easy for them to miss seeing a pedestrian in their way, or to stop in time to avoid a collision.
• Distracted driving: Often, the at-fault driver is distracted by a navigation system, cellular phone, or radio. Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous things you can do, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
• Driving while intoxicated: Drivers under the influence of drugs and alcohol have slower reaction times, making their driving skills impaired.
• Failing to stop, yield, or obey traffic laws: Motorists who roll through stop signs and traffic lights or who fail to yield to pedestrians who have the right of way are a common cause of crashes.
• Left-hand turns: Pedestrians are at risk of being hit by vehicles turning left because the driver's attention is often more focused on the turn than on anyone who may be nearby.
• Speeding: Speeding is an especially dangerous form of reckless driving. When struck at high speeds, pedestrians suffer the most devastating injuries.