Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Common Reasons Crosswalk Accidents Occur

• Distracted Driving: The driver could be on the phone, eating, or looking at something else going on around them.

• Drunk Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can cause a delay in reaction time and blurred vision that can lead to an accident. Almost half (48%) of crashes that resulted in pedestrian deaths involved alcohol for the driver or the pedestrian.

• Engineering Issue: If the intersection was not to well thought out or different than usual it can cause more room for error on the driver's end.

• Drivers Not Following Laws: Speeding is a common traffic law people overlook that have serious side effects.

• Pedestrian did not listen to Crosswalk Signs: Walking when you should not such as the crosswalk symbol says no walking.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PEDESTRIAN LAWS

Jaywalking is not mentioned in any of Georgia's pedestrian laws. Therefore, crossing anywhere is most often is legal. Pedestrians need to yield to traffic before crossing, follow signals at intersections crosswalks, and another important rule to follow is to never cross at an intersection diagonally.

Some people are not sure of the crossing signals so to clarify, if the symbol is blinking then you can continue crossing, much like a yellow light when driving, and the cars have to wait for you to finish crossing. This does not mean you can start walking if the signal is already blinking indicating change. Check out 40-6-22. Pedestrian control signals to get a better understanding of the law.

§ 40-6-92. Crossing roadway elsewhere than at crosswalk:

“Jaywalking” is not a legal term and does not appear in the Georgia Code. Even so, people often use “jaywalking” to describe a pedestrian crossing outside of a crosswalk. In fact, crossing the street outside of a crosswalk is perfectly LEGAL in most places, as long as the pedestrians yield to traffic.

SERIOUS INJURIES PEDESTRIANS SUFFER FROM AFTER BEING HIT BY A CAR

Pedestrian accidents are often traumatic because your body can not take the impact of a car hitting it.

Thousands of pounds come out of nowhere and whip you out it nothing anyone can prepare for and never wants to experience.

Injuries are commonly serious if not fatal, here are typical injuries:

• Paralysis or other spinal cord injuries that cause loss of function

• Broken bones or damage to other parts of your musculoskeletal system

• Lacerations and bruises that cause damage to your organs

• Concussions and even more serious head injuries

• Dental damages

• Vision loss

DETERMINING FAULT IN A PEDESTRIAN INJURY CASE

As always this is left up to authorities on scene taking the report, evidence collected, attorneys, and laws to determine who is at fault.

This is why it is important for you to know what to do if you have been injured as a pedestrian.

Follow these 4 steps:

1. Get Medical Treatment: Many pedestrian accidents involve on-scene ambulance care. Do not refuse treatment.

2. Get information on everyone involved: Gathering insurance information and contact information can help your case.

3. Take Photos: having visual evidence of your injuries, damages, and a visual scene of the accident can help your case.

4. Contact The Brown Firm: Do not share your side of the story before contacting a professional attorney. Unfortunately, people will try to twist your words because they do not want to be blamed for the accident, you especially have to watch out for insurance companies.

PREVENTING PEDESTRIAN INJURIES AND DEATHS

Even though it seems that the driver is usually at fault for pedestrian injuries and deaths there are preventative measures that you can take as a pedestrian.

• Increase visibility: wear reflective gear and carry a flashlight at night.

• Walk on sidewalks or paths when provided and use shoulder facing traffic when there is not a provided safe walking space.

• Cross at designated areas if possible. Even though you can cross in most areas in Georgia the marked area is where cars are more mindful of pedestrians.

• Only cross when you can clearly see both ways to ensure there is not a car coming around the corner because if you cannot see them than they most likely won't be able to see you.

THE BROWN FIRM PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS CAN HELP

Set up a consultation with an experienced attorney at The Brown Firm if you or a loved one have been injured as a pedestrian.

Remember a pedestrian is anyone involved in an automobile accident that was not inside a car. Know your rights and get the best representation in Georgia for Pedestrian Injuries.

Our team works to help Georgia residences get the care they need after being in a personal injury accident.

Don't hesitate to call our Georgia Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Atlanta, Athens, Savannah, or Okatie, South Carolina to get a better understanding of what your options are when it comes to dealing with the law.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Injury Cases