Traveling by foot in Atlanta is economical and healthy, but it’s not always safe. If a driver is not careful, they can hit a pedestrian and cause serious, even deadly, injuries. If you were hurt in a pedestrian accident in this way, an Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for your damages.
We have over 20 years of experience helping injured pedestrians win the financial recovery they deserve after an accident. We can assist you in building a strong injury claim and fight for your rights. To schedule a FREE consultation with the best attorney for you, call us today at (404) 341-6555 or contact us online.
Pedestrian Accidents Versus Car Accidents
Any type of accident in Atlanta can be serious, but pedestrian accidents tend to be especially bad. Someone walking on the road is not protected by a vehicle like drivers. If a vehicle runs into a pedestrian, there is nothing to prevent serious or deadly injuries.
It can also be more difficult to prove fault after a pedestrian accident happens. The at-fault driver might flee the scene or try to blame you. If you lost consciousness during the accident, it’s harder to know exactly what happened without eyewitnesses, which might be difficult to get depending on where the accident occurred.
Thankfully, pedestrian accident lawyers know how to gather evidence even if you have a difficult case. It’s best to reach out to an experienced lawyer very soon after the accident. That way, you can know your options and get the help you deserve right away.
How the Right of Way Works for Pedestrians in Atlanta
Many drivers are not fully aware of pedestrian rights on Atlanta roads. It’s common for drivers to ignore pedestrians or fail to watch for them at intersections.
Here’s what everyone should understand about pedestrians’ rights and duties.
Traffic Regulations
According to Georgia Code section 40-6-90, pedestrians should obey all traffic-control devices applicable to pedestrians unless there are certain restrictions or privileges pertaining to the situation.
Right of Way in Crosswalks
When a pedestrian has reached at least half of the roadway at a crosswalk or within one lane of the half of the roadway where vehicles are traveling or turning, drivers should stop and not start again until the pedestrian has crossed.
Pedestrians also have a duty to not suddenly walk off of a curb or walk or run into a vehicle’s path when it’s clear that the driver wouldn’t be able to yield.
Crossing Roadway
According to Georgia Code section 40-6-92:
- Pedestrians crossing a road other than at a marked or unmarked crosswalk should yield the right of way to vehicles unless the pedestrian has already entered the road.
- When pedestrians are crossing a road where pedestrian tunnels or crossings are provided, pedestrians who use the road instead of a tunnel or crossing should yield the right of way to all vehicles.
- Pedestrians who are between adjacent intersections with operational traffic-control signals should not cross anywhere except at a marked crosswalk.
- No pedestrian can cross an intersection diagonally unless a traffic-control device authorizes it.
A Driver’s Duty to Pedestrians in Atlanta
Although pedestrians must follow certain traffic rules when crossing roads or intersections, drivers also have an important duty to pedestrians. This is outlined under Georgia Code section 40-6-93, which states that every driver has a duty of care to avoid hitting any pedestrian on a roadway.
Drivers should also provide a warning through honking their horn, if needed, and exercise caution if they see a child or impaired person on the roadway.
Many pedestrian accident happen because one or more drivers were not being diligent enough to avoid pedestrians on the road. It’s very rare for a pedestrian to be at fault for an accident involving a vehicle. If you were hurt as a pedestrian in Atlanta, a lawyer can help ensure you are not blamed for anything you did not do.
Causes of Pedestrian Deaths in Atlanta
Sadly, many pedestrian accidents result in death. Causes of pedestrian deaths can include:
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Excessive speeding
- Failure to yield to the pedestrian
- Poor road design
- Busy intersections
- Road rage
- Low visibility
To seek compensation for your damages, you’ll need to identify how the accident happened and who caused it. The negligent party in your accident should be held liable for all of the resulting damages. If the at-fault party is a driver, you can file a personal injury claim with their auto insurance company.
Common Damages from Atlanta Pedestrian Accidents
When building your injury claim, you’ll need to know how much your total damages are worth. This includes damages like:
- Medical costs, including doctor and hospital bills, tests, surgeries, prescription medications, and future medical expenses;
- Lost wages from missed work time due to the accident;
- Property damages if any personal items were damaged in the accident; and
- Pain and suffering damages like loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other emotional damages.
You might be reading this page because you lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident. If so, we offer our deepest condolences and know that money can never bring back a lost loved one. That being said, our lawyers are deeply passionate about helping mourning families seek recovery for monetary losses so they don’t have to bear that burden.
We can help you build a wrongful death claim to seek recovery for damages like medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering the loved one experienced, and loss of consortium or companionship.
Talk to an Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Lawyer for Free Today
The statute of limitations for a pedestrian accident claim in Atlanta is typically two years from the accident date. This might seem like a long period of time, but the deadline approaches quickly when you’re building a claim. Our lawyers can help you from the very beginning, ensuring that you don’t miss out on what you’re entitled to receive.
We have more than 20 years of experience working on pedestrian accident cases, and we do not charge a fee unless we win you a settlement or an award. Plus, the consultation is always FREE of charge. To schedule a FREE consultation today, call us at (404) 341-6555 or reach out online.
