Drivers who act recklessly or carelessly while operating motor vehicles put themselves and anyone nearby in danger of serious harm. This danger is especially prominent for pedestrians who are using crosswalks and on sidewalks, since they have no protection from the force of a speeding vehicle.
If a negligent driver struck and injured you while you were walking or jogging in a designated zone, you have the right to take legal action with a capable personal injury attorney. A qualified College Park pedestrian accident lawyer represent you in legal proceedings from start to finish. Give us a call to schedule a free consultation.
How Negligence Can Cause Pedestrian Crashes
Whether they are driving their kids to school or hauling freight in a semi-truck, every driver holds the same duty of care to obey traffic laws and keep an eye out for other people and hazards on the road. Any action or failure to act constitutes a violation of this duty; it could mean an obvious traffic law violation or simply being distracted behind the wheel. Any such violation that directly leads to an accident can be considered “negligence.”
Common negligent behaviors a College Park pedestrian incident attorney often finds in these cases include:
- Running stop signs or ignoring traffic signals
- Turning without yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk
- Speeding, especially around corners
- Backing up in parking lots without looking for people nearby
- Drunk driving
- Fatigued driving
- Texting behind the wheel or other forms of distracted driving
A College Park pedestrian accident attorney can help build a comprehensive claim for damages based on any of these incidents.
Injuries and Liability in Pedestrian Incidents
Pedestrians do not have any protection against a car that crashes into them, which is why their injuries tend to be more significant than those of motorists. There will often be broken bones, severe cuts, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries. The faster the vehicle was traveling, the more prominent the injuries are likely to be.
In order make a claim for damages, the injured party and a College Park pedestrian incident attorney must prove the defendant owed a duty of care and breached that duty, causing the injuries to the plaintiff. The defendant may try to allege the pedestrian was partially or fully at fault. If a Georgia court determines a pedestrian was 50 percent or more at fault, then they cannot recover any compensation. If they were less than 50 percent at fault, that percentage will be deducted from any compensation awarded. A lawyer can push back on this claim of pedestrian negligence and provide proof of the motorist’s liability.
Contact a College Park Pedestrian Accident Attorney for Help
Every person who uses public roadways deserves to be safe from injury caused by other people around them, whether they are in a vehicle themselves or crossing the street on foot. Any driver who violates this right and causes someone physical harm could potentially be held liable to pay for all of the economic and non-economic damages, including future losses that stem from a permanent injury.
It is important to have guidance from a College Park pedestrian accident lawyer throughout every stage of this complicated but crucial process. Reach out to our law firm by phone or email for a free consultation.
