Inattentive or negligent drivers are any pedestrian’s worst nightmare. A vehicle does not have to be moving fast to severely injure a pedestrian. Talk to a lawyer if you were recently struck by a car.
Pedestrian crashes often happen in places where vehicles come too close to people walking. Parking lots, garages, crosswalks, and sidewalks are frequently involved in such accidents. Injured pedestrians can file insurance claims with the driver’s auto insurance even though the pedestrian was not driving. Alternatively, an attorney can help you file a personal injury lawsuit. A lawyer can help you navigate the insurance claims process while preparing a lawsuit, just in case. If the lawsuit progresses, your lawyer can help you gather evidence, assess damages, and prepare legal arguments. Evidence might involve testimony from yourself and witnesses, security camera footage, and almost anything else we believe helps your case.
Our Atlanta pedestrian accident attorneys at Howe Law can help you begin your case with a free, confidential evaluation of your claims if you call (844) 876-4357.
How Pedestrian Accidents Occur in and Around Rome, GA
Pedestrians are frequently injured in accidents where cars and foot traffic meet. Generally, when pedestrians and vehicles share certain spaces, drivers are required to yield to pedestrians. If drivers are not paying attention, they may injure people walking.
Crosswalks are like hotspots for pedestrian accidents. Crosswalks allow pedestrians to cross multiple lanes of busy traffic. If drivers stop for pedestrians, there should be no reason to worry. Unfortunately, negligent drivers might fail to stop in time, and people trying to cross the street might be badly hurt.
Vehicles do not necessarily have to be speeding to cause serious injuries. In many cases, not only are vehicles not speeding, but they are not even on the road. Pedestrian accidents are common in parking lots and garages where drivers are not moving quickly. Even so, a multi-ton vehicle does not have to go very fast to cause serious injuries. When navigating a parking lot or garage, drivers must be vigilant for pedestrians, including people walking to or from their own vehicles.
Sidewalks are another area where pedestrian accidents are common. Even though sidewalks do not intersect with traffic, drivers might lose control of their vehicles and accidentally pull up on a sidewalk, injuring multiple unsuspecting pedestrians. Running up on sidewalks is also a big problem when drivers are under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.
How to Get Compensation for Injuries From a Pedestrian Accident in Rome, GA
You might be overwhelmed by the sudden accident, medical costs, and various people in your ear talking about what they think you should do. You should talk to an attorney about your situation right away, as they can help you explore your various legal options and decide on one that fits your needs.
After being hit by a car, you have the option of filing an insurance claim just like you would with a typical car accident. Even though you were not driving a vehicle, auto insurance may still cover your accident. Since Georgia is a tort or fault-based state regarding car insurance claims, you can file a claim with the insurance of the driver who hit you.
If the driver is uninsured or their insurance is insufficient to cover your damages, our team can help you look into using your own insurance. If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, you can use it to help cover damages. You might also use something like MedPay or other optional policies.
Perhaps you and the driver are both uninsured. Where is compensation going to come from? In that case, we can help you file a lawsuit against the driver. If your lawsuit is successful, the court may order the other driver to cover your damages regardless of their insurance status. On top of that, you may claim greater damages in a lawsuit than you might in an insurance claim. Insurance often does not cover non-economic damages for pain and suffering, but a lawsuit might.
What You Need to Prove the Defendant’s Negligence in a Pedestrian Accident Case in Rome, GA
Evidence is difficult to discuss because it is often different in every case. What you need to prove your claims in a court of law depends on the nature of your claims, your accident, and what kind of evidence is available. Some defendants find what they need relatively easily. Others struggle to come up with any supportive evidence. An attorney can help you find what you need, so you get the compensation you deserve.
First, your testimony is an incredibly important source of testimonial evidence. There are certain details about the accident that only you can talk about. Were you where you were supposed to be when the accident happened? The defendant might try to claim you were illegally crossing the street. You can testify that you were crossing where it was legal and that you followed proper traffic protocols. You can also testify about your injuries, costs, and how the entire experience has impacted your life.
We should also track down other witnesses. These might include people who watched the accident happen before their very eyes or people who were not present for the crash but still have personal knowledge relevant to the case. For example, a witness who was not at the crash might be able to testify about seeing the defendant drinking or consuming controlled substances shortly before the collision.
We can also look for security camera footage if it is available. Pedestrian accidents often happen in places monitored by security cameras. A parking lot might be under surveillance by nearby stores. A parking garage might have cameras from the entity that owns it. If we can find video footage of the accident, we might be able to show the jury exactly how the accident happened.
Speak with Our Rome, GA Pedestrian Accident Attorneys if You Were Struck by a Vehicle
Our pedestrian accident lawyers at Howe Law can help you begin your case with a free, confidential review of your claims if you call (844) 876-4357.
