Pedestrians have the right to use the roads and sidewalks of Dunwoody without fear of injury. Unfortunately, negligent motorists often put those pedestrians at risk every day. When incidents happen, a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can hold that driver accountable for their negligence.
It is neve the appropriate option to act as your own attorney in these injury cases. Doing so will put your claim against the motorist at risk. A Dunwoody pedestrian accident lawyer can handle every portion of your case, from investigating the accident to pursuing litigation. Learn more when you set up a free consultation with us.
Pedestrian Injury Compensation
When a Dunwoody pedestrian accident attorney pursues a lawsuit, their ultimate goal is to collect financial compensation on behalf of the injured party. Whether it comes in the form of a settlement or a trial verdict, this compensation is made up of different types of damages. These damages can be broken down into two major categories: economic and non-economic losses.
Economic Losses
Economic losses are objective. These are the measurable financial losses a person suffers due to a pedestrian incident. The purpose of these damages is to return the injury victim to the financial position they were in prior to the event. This usually involves paying for all the out-of-pocket expenses that come with an injury.
It is generally possible to establish the value of economic losses down to the dollar. This can be done with documentary evidence like invoices or receipts from a hospital or doctor’s office. A plaintiff could be entitled to many different types of economic losses, such as:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Disability and rehabilitation costs
It is important to save all invoices for medical care and consult with a lawyer about what other damages might be recoverable.
Non-Economic Losses
Where economic losses are easy to measure down to the dollar, non-economic damages are more subjective. This type of compensation is not designed to replace the financial assets that were lost. Instead, the purpose is to compensate an injury victim for the subjective harm they suffered. Non-economic losses can include the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional distress
Proving the extent of non-economic damages is different compared to economic losses. Because these damages are subjective, there is no documentary evidence that establishes the extent of a person’s losses. Instead, witness testimony will generally spell out how these losses impacted the life of the injured party.
Navigating the Statute of Limitations
The time to file a pedestrian injury lawsuit is not limitless. In order for the injured party to secure the compensation they deserve, they must comply with a deadline referred to as the statute of limitations. A Dunwoody pedestrian accident attorney can make certain the plaintiff complies with the statute deadline.
According to Georgia law, a plaintiff typically has two years to file an injury lawsuit. This two-year window starts to run on the day the event occurred. A judge will be required to dismiss an injury case that is filed after the statute of limitations has expired.
Call a Dunwoody Pedestrian Accident Attorney for Help
After being struck by a car while crossing the street, you could experience catastrophic injuries that alter your life. You deserve justice from the negligent motorist responsible for what happened.
A Dunwoody pedestrian accident lawyer can assist you with every stage of your injury claim. Reach out to Childers, Schlueter & Smith to schedule a free confidential consultation.
