Loganville Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Of all the different types of personal injury cases, those involving pedestrian accidents are some of the most complex. When pedestrians are struck by vehicles, they suffer some of the most serious injuries. These injuries are sometimes life-changing and in some cases, they are so severe, victims do not survive them. If the motorist who hit you acted negligently and caused your injuries, you can file a successful personal injury claim against them for compensation. Obtaining a fair settlement is not easy, though. Our Loganville pedestrian accident lawyer from our pedestrian accident law firm can guide you through the process and ensure your rights are upheld.
Steps to Take After a Loganville Pedestrian Accident
The steps you take following a pedestrian accident will impact your health, as well as any future claim for damages. Taking action quickly will ensure that important evidence is not lost and will help you build a strong case. The most important steps to take after an accident are as follows:
- Seek medical attention: Your health and safety is of the utmost importance after a crash. There is little chance that you will walk away from the accident unscathed. You should seek medical attention to ensure that your physical injuries do not become worse and that your well-being is protected. Additionally, seeking medical attention for spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and others will document your injuries, helping you prove the nature and extent of them.
- Report the accident: In Georgia, you are required to report any crash involving a vehicle that causes injury, death, or significant property damage. Reporting the accident will also result in a police report and obtaining a copy of this can also help prove your case.
- Obtain the driver’s information: If possible, you should obtain certain information from the driver. This includes their name, contact information, license plate number, and their insurance details.
- Locate witnesses: Locate any witnesses at the scene and ask for their name and contact information. Your lawyer will need this later.
- Take photos: Again, if possible take pictures and video footage of the scene. Also take pictures of your injuries and any relevant information, such as skid marks on the road.
- Contact a Loganville pedestrian accident lawyer: Pedestrian accident claims are very complicated, and they are very difficult to handle when you are suffering from serious injuries. A lawyer can handle the legal details of your case and ensure you receive the fair settlement you deserve.
Just as there are many steps to take after a pedestrian accident, there are also certain things you should avoid doing. Do not apologize for the accident, even just to say that you are sorry it occurred at all. Additionally, you are under no obligation to speak to the negligent driver’s insurance company. Instead, you should direct them to your personal injury attorneys who will communicate with them on your behalf.
Pedestrian Laws in Loganville Explained by Our Loganville Personal Injury Lawyer
Many people believe that motorists are always to blame for pedestrian accidents, but that is not true. Both drivers and pedestrians have certain rights and responsibilities on the road. Under the pedestrian laws in the state, people must walk on the sidewalk whenever one is available. If a sidewalk is not available, pedestrians must walk on the side of the road, as close to the curb as possible. Pedestrians are prohibited from walking on the road when a sidewalk is available.
Pedestrians must also yield to motorists in certain situations. For example, if there is no crosswalk available, pedestrians can still cross the street, as jaywalking is not illegal in Georgia. However, before crossing the road they must look to ensure the way is clear and that there are no oncoming vehicles.
Motorists also have certain duties, including yielding to pedestrians in certain situations. When pedestrians are within a marked crosswalk, all drivers must yield to them. Drivers who are turning left or right must yield to pedestrians whether they are in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. Due to the fact that children are often present in school zones, drivers should also yield to pedestrians in these areas. While pedestrians cannot dart out in front of drivers, they do have the right-of-way when they are already on the road or in a crosswalk.
Important Evidence in Pedestrian Accident Cases
When filing a pedestrian accident claim, you must submit evidence that proves your case. Some of the strongest types of evidence in pedestrian accident claims include:
- Accident reports: When police write and file a report, it may indicate that the driver was negligent. Unlike in other states, these are admissible in court in Georgia and they are also very useful when negotiating with the insurance company.
- Eyewitness statements: Eyewitnesses do not have anything to gain or lose in pedestrian accident cases. As such, their testimony is given a great deal of weight.
- Video footage: While taking video footage of the entire accident scene is an important step to take after being hit, there may also be video footage of the actual crash. This can come from traffic cameras or video surveillance from nearby businesses.
- Medical records: When you see a doctor for your pedestrian injuries after the crash, it is important to tell them how you became hurt. They will include this in your medical records and can help prove your case.
- Phone records: If there is reason to believe that the driver who hit you was distracted at the time, you may be able to obtain their phone records showing they were not paying attention at the time they hit you.
While personal injury victims are recovering from serious injuries, it is not the time to collect important evidence in their case. We have had success obtaining compensation for most personal injury cases in the Atlanta, GA area for pedestrian accident victims. Our Loganville pedestrian accident lawyer can gather it for accident victims while they focus on getting better.
Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Loganville Can Help with Your Personal Injury Claim
At Ponton Law, our Loganville pedestrian accident lawyer understands the challenges you face after being hit. We can help you overcome them and ensure your rights are upheld so you obtain the maximum damages you deserve. Our personal injury cases revolve around working with injury victims to make sure they are being treated fairly and receive financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more. Call our best personal injury lawyers at our personal injury law firm today at 404-418-8507 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation of your case and to get the legal help you need. Hire legal counsel from our legal team for legal representation today!