Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents often involve somebody walking across the street, but sometimes they happen while a pedestrian is simply standing at an intersection or on the sidewalk. Unlike people in cars, who usually have some measure of protection against the force of a collision, a pedestrian is likely to be hit directly. While the driver may walk away unscathed, the pedestrian's life may be completely changed by one or more catastrophic injuries. If this has happened to you, car accident lawyer Stephen M. Ozcomert can help you try to hold an Atlanta driver accountable for your harm.

Some of the injuries that may be suffered by a pedestrian who is struck by a car or another vehicle include brain trauma, spinal cord damage, herniated discs, paraplegia or quadriplegia, coma, broken bones, and organ damage. Hospital stays are extremely expensive, and over the long haul, physical therapy can also be very expensive. The financial losses associated with pedestrian accidents can be tremendous.

In Georgia, you can potentially recover compensation for your injuries if a negligent driver caused the accident. You will have to prove that the motorist owed you a duty of care and breached that duty. The careless conduct that was deemed to be a breach must have caused the accident, and you must have incurred actual damages. You may be able to recover compensation from an insured driver or a driver with assets, including reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity, disability, pain and suffering, out-of-pocket expenses, mental anguish, and more.

Georgia drivers must carry a minimum of $25,000 in insurance for one person's injuries and $50,000 for injuries or death in a single accident. These minimum amounts may not be enough to recover for all your injuries as a pedestrian who has been struck. Moreover, not all Georgia drivers are insured. In some instances, you may have additional coverage under your own insurance policy.

Many insurers try to reach a quick settlement with an injured pedestrian in order to avoid paying for items that may develop later, such as the full scope of injuries, future medical expenses, and future lost wages. It can take a long time to assess all of a victim’s damages and determine the full value of a case.

In most cases, you have two years within which to file your personal injury lawsuit. It is important to consult an attorney right away, since your right to compensation likely will be barred if you fail to meet this time requirement.

If you are injured or a loved one is killed in a devastating accident in the Atlanta area, you may benefit from consulting a motor vehicle collision attorney who can protect your rights against any defendants and their insurers. Insurers may try to claim that you contributed to causing the accident or pressure you into taking an inadequate settlement. It may help to have an experienced lawyer on your side. Knowledgeable attorney Stephen M. Ozcomert can help you protect your rights. Call our office at (404) 370-1000 or contact us via our online form to set up a free consultation. We also assist accident victims in Decatur as well as communities throughout DeKalb and Fulton Counties.