Snellville Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Snellville has been ranked as ‘somewhat walkable,’ but the city is enacting measures to make it more walkable. While walking is a great way to get exercise and it is environmentally-friendly, pedestrians are not always safe while they are out on foot. They have to interact with motorists and this can pose a real hazard. If you have been struck by a vehicle while out walking, you may be entitled to compensation by working with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Our Snellville pedestrian accident lawyer can help injury victims protect their rights and help ensure they receive the full and fair settlement they rightfully deserve.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Snellville, GA

Any negligent, or careless, act can result in a pedestrian accident. The most common of these are as follows:

• Speeding
• Driving too fast for conditions, such as if there were heavy rains and a reasonable person would have driven under the speed limit but the negligent driver did not
• Reckless driving, such as street racing, excessive speeding, or swerving around traffic
• Drunk and distracted drivers, particularly holding a cell phone while driving
• Driving while fatigued
• Drowsy driving, which has been likened to impaired driving
• Failing to comply with traffic law
• Failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks
• Failing to signal when turning
• Backing up without ensuring there are no pedestrians behind the vehicle

It is not always easy to determine what caused a pedestrian accident. Our Snellville pedestrian accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation to determine what caused your crash, so you know who to hold liable for paying damages and will advise pedestrian accident victims on how to recover compensation from our law firm.

Common Car Accident and Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Pedestrians have no protection, not even a helmet, when they are out on the roads. As such, they suffer some of the most catastrophic injuries when vehicles strike them. The most common of these include:

• Road rash, which is a network of severe lacerations that can cause permanent scarring and suffer complications such as infections
• Crushing injuries
• Burns
• Torn tendons, ligaments, and muscles
• Dislocated joints
• Spinal injuries
• Permanent nerve damage
• Internal organ injuries, including internal bleeding
• Amputation of limbs
• Traumatic brain injuries, including permanent brain damage

The above are just a few of the most common types of injuries suffered after a pedestrian accident. If you have been hurt, it is critical that you speak with our Snellville pedestrian accident lawyer who can provide the legal advice you need.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident

The steps you take in the days and weeks following a pedestrian accident will greatly impact your claim. The most important steps to take are as follows:

• Report the accident: If law enforcement did not appear at the scene of the crash, it is critical that you report it as soon as possible after being hurt. This can help document your injuries and may even indicate who was at fault for the crash.
• Seek medical attention: Pedestrian accidents result in some of the most serious injuries and so, it is critical that you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Visit an emergency room right away, even if you do not think you were hurt, as many injuries do not present symptoms right away. Seeing a doctor will also further document your injuries so they are easier to prove during your claim.
• Collect evidence: Some of the best evidence after a pedestrian accident is located right at the scene. Take photos and video footage, if possible, of the vehicle who hit you, any damage to it, and your injuries. Also locate witnesses and ask them for their names and contact information.
• Notify your insurance company: If you have auto insurance, you should contact your provider as soon as possible after the crash. You may be entitled to MedPay or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
• Contact a Snellville pedestrian accident lawyer: The best way to ensure your rights are protected after a crash is to contact a Snellville pedestrian accident lawyer. A lawyer will negotiate with the insurer on your behalf to ensure you receive the full and fair settlement you are entitled to. Our Snellville wrongful death attorneys can also help file a wrongful death claim for any fatal pedestrian accidents.

After contacting a pedestrian accident attorney, they will represent pedestrian accident victims and will also advise on the next important steps to take that will help protect their personal injury claims and help injured pedestrians rebuild from their pedestrian collisions.

Determining Liability After a Pedestrian Accident

After being hurt in a pedestrian accident, you may think your only legal option is to file a claim against the negligent driver who hit you. Filing this type of claim is a very likely possibility after being hurt, but there may be other liable parties, as well. For example, if the driver who struck you was working at the time, you may be able to file a claim against their employer. Employers can be held vicariously liable for any negligent act committed by their employees for these types of personal injury cases.

You may also be able to file a claim with our Snellville personal injury lawyers against the owner of the vehicle if they negligently entrusted their car to another person causing a pedestrian accident or fatal accidents. For example, if the owner of the vehicle allowed someone to drive their car while impaired, or without a proper driver’s license, you may be able to file a claim against the owner of the vehicle.

The dram shop laws in Georgia also allow you to hold an establishment liable if they served alcohol to someone who was under 21 years old, or who was visibly intoxicated. Both of these actions are against the law and restaurants, bars, and other establishments can be held liable for them.

Lastly, if a defective road design, improperly maintained road, or a lack of proper signage or traffic signals caused your crash, you may be able to hold a government entity liable for the accident. Government entities have a duty to ensure the roads they are responsible for are safe to travel on. When they fail in this regard, they can be held accountable for paying full damages.

Call Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Snellville for Help with Your Case

At Ponton Law, our Snellville pedestrian accident lawyer can determine who is liable for your injuries, negotiate with the insurer on your behalf, and help you claim the maximum damages you are entitled to. Call us today at 404-418-8507 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.