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Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Atlanta, GA

A person should be able to go about their everyday life without worrying about getting hit by a car, but in the event of an accident, it is strongly advised that victims contact a pedestrian accident lawyer Atlanta, GA residents can depend on from Council & Associates, LLC. Big cities like Atlanta frequently have a high number of pedestrian accidents because of the close proximity between vehicles and pedestrians. Sometimes, those accidents happen when they shouldn’t have due to a driver not paying close enough attention to the road and the other people on it, or when a driver simply doesn’t obeying the rules of the road. Speeding through a traffic light that shortly goes from yellow to red, can also cause a driver to easily hit a pedestrian.

Because people who live and work in Atlanta depend so much on their cars, it’s not difficult to understand why there’s such a high fatality rate in the area (particularly high for Hispanics and those in the 15-34 and 35-54 age groups). To make matters worse, Atlanta citizen and visitors who choose to walk or ride public transportation experience frustration just in trying to get from one place to another. It’s not easy for pedestrians to get from here to there, and it’s not easy for drivers, either; combine the two, and both need to practice caution in trying not to collide with the other.

How Common are Pedestrian Accidents?

The short answer, unfortunately, is that pedestrian accidents happen a lot more frequently than you might realize. More than 110,000 pedestrian accidents occur just in the U.S. annually, and those accidents result in almost 60,000 injuries and 4,000 deaths. When you do the math, that amounts to one pedestrian being hit by a car every eight minutes – and that’s just being hit – remember some of those are fatalities. Another notable fact is that almost all (90 percent) of those accidents happen in clear weather, and most (about 75 percent) of them occur in urban areas.

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Although it would be convenient to blame pedestrian accidents on the weather – wet, slick, and icy roads and poor visibility, for example – that only accounts for about ten percent. Alcohol plays into a huge number (almost half) of all pedestrian accident fatalities. Other things that make it more dangerous to drive among pedestrians and walk among vehicles include distractions (i.e., cell phones, in-vehicle navigation systems, and passengers), busy streets, and not obeying the rules of the road (including walking outside of a designated crossing zone, speeding, and not checking for pedestrians).

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Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Given the size and weight differences between a pedestrian and a vehicle, it should be no surprise that these types of accidents can be incredibly serious and cause life-altering and -ending injuries. These injuries can be devastating for so many reasons because they can cost you a lot physically, emotionally, and financially. Costs can include doctor visits, medication, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and there’s even the potential you’ll need medical aids or nursing care for the rest of your life! You could experience any one of the following injuries if you’re involved in a pedestrian accident:

    • Broken bones, scrapes, and bruises
    • Head and brain injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries
    • Internal damage, including internal bleeding and damage to internal organs
    • Back, neck, and spinal injuries, which could mean para- or quadriplegia

Many of these don’t occur when the car hits the person, but rather in the ensuing moments, when the person falls to the ground or hits other objects. Depending on your injuries, you may be entitled to the following compensation:

  • Medical costs, including co-pays and prescription medications
  • Wages lost due to your injuries sustained in the accident, including decreased earning potential, disability, and disfigurement
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of companionship (when a spouse or child dies due to an accident)
  • Punitive damages

In today's society, car drivers are actually one of the most serious threats present on the roadway. A pedestrian has the right of way to cross and deserves to have drivers watch out for their safety too. But all too often, car drivers are more worried about zipping to where they need to be and what they have to get done, instead of how they could be putting the lives of others in serious jeopardy.

If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, you must call 911 and let the emergency medical team evaluate you. If you can and it’s safe to do so, get yourself to a rest spot close to the scene and wait for help to arrive. Because of the sheer force of a vehicle hitting the human body, it is the pedestrian who is likely to sustain the worst injuries. Unlike a car driver, a pedestrian doesn't have the same protective shield to deflect force of impact. As an Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyer may discuss, injuries that tend to be common for pedestrians in accidents include:

  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Broken bones
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Whiplash
  • Impalement
  • Lacerations and wounds
  • Crushed extremities
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Mental trauma
  • Disability

If you were in a pedestrian accident, and were not critically injured, then try to get the driver’s information. Details to gather include driver’s name, current address, driver’s license number, insurance carrier, insurance policy number, vehicle license plate number and description, and phone number. If there were witnesses who saw the accident happen, it can help to get their name and contact as well, so you have people who support your side of the story. These witnesses can become influential for your personal injury case so that you can maximize how much compensation you receive. Your lawyer can reach out to these people in the days to follow.

The more evidence you have for the accident, the better your chances are at receiving restitution for your medical bills, loss of earnings, rehabilitation, prescriptions, chiropractic care, and other expenses or damages. Be sure to inform your legal team about all the ways you have suffered since the accident, such as your career, everyday life, relationships, mental health, etc. If you are having a difficult time mentally, that’s completely understandable. You or someone you care about may have just been the victim in a pedestrian accident, and that’s a stressful incident to go through. 

Call today!

If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in a pedestrian accident, you should consider hiring an attorney to help you through the complicated, cumbersome process of filing a lawsuit and preparing your legal case in order to seek the compensation you deserve. Call the law firm that cares about you and fighting for your rights – call Council & Associates, LLC at (404) 526-8857 for a free case consultation. When you talk to an attorney, you’ll tell them your story, and they will tell you about your rights and the options available; then, together, you can decide on the path that best suits your particular needs and desires, given your specific situation.

A pedestrian accident is nothing you should take lightly. Time is of the essence in these situations, and the sooner you take action, the better off you will be. There is a deadline if you want to file a lawsuit for a personal injury case, so if you’re considering that option, you should call to speak with an experienced Atlanta attorney who cares about you. We also take cases on contingency, which means that your attorney won’t get paid unless and until you do, so you have nothing to lose by hiring someone to help you. You don’t need to brave this challenge alone. Call today.

Let us handle the legal side of your case so that you can prioritize your health. While you are getting the treatment you need, we can organize evidence, do an investigation, and watch out for your best interests. You can count on us when terrible times arise. Reach out to an Atlanta lawyer pedestrian accident team from Council & Associates, LLC now for compassionate support. 

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