Pedestrian accidents in Clayton, GA

Pedestrian accidents involve a vehicle hitting a pedestrian. Because these types of accidents tend to be complex and often involve serious injuries, it’s important for victims to seek the help of a qualified pedestrian accident attorney in Clayton, GA. The Pendergrass Law Firm can help.

What causes pedestrian accidents?

When a pedestrian gets into an accident with a vehicle of any kind, the physical harm they suffer can be severe. Fatalities are also common, with an average of 320 pedestrians dying each year, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. Why do these accidents occur? One of the most common reasons is distracted driving. This happens when a driver who’s supposed to be focusing on operating their vehicle busies themselves doing other things, such as eating, texting, or talking with passengers.

Distracted Driving

When drivers are distracted, they can’t react as quickly if a hazard appears on the road. For example, someone looking at their phone won’t notice a pedestrian stepping onto a crosswalk.

Drunk Driving

Drunk driving can also lead to pedestrian accidents. Someone who’s had even one drink has much less coordination and slower reflexes, which is a dangerous combination behind the wheel. This leaves them unable to react as needed, leading to accidents.

Speeding

Speeding is another common cause of pedestrian accidents. Speeding doesn’t just mean driving over the posted speed limit — it also means driving faster than conditions reasonably allow, such as going the full speed limit on a rain-slicked curve or icy hill.

Poor Road Conditions


If it’s rainy and visibility is low, someone driving too fast won’t be able to see a pedestrian as easily as they otherwise would have. They’ll also have less time to stop their vehicle.

Proving fault in a pedestrian accident

Most people assume that if they’re in an accident and suffer injuries, they can file a personal injury claim. However, that’s not always the case. To be eligible for compensation, you must prove crucial elements.

The elements of negligence in a pedestrian accident

  • First, you must show that the other party had a duty of care toward you. If they were driving a vehicle, they had a duty to drive safely while following all traffic laws.
  • Second, you’ll need to demonstrate that the driver breached their duty of care. This could mean proving that they were distracted or intoxicated. It’s not always easy to do this, as it requires you to gather compelling evidence.
  • Third, you must prove that the driver’s negligent actions directly caused the harm you’ve suffered. In other words, there must be a cause-and-effect relationship between their actions and your injuries.
  • The fourth element you must prove is that the losses you’ve suffered are eligible for compensation in the form of damages.

As you can see, it isn’t always easy to know whether you have a claim. That’s why it’s crucial to seek the assistance of a pedestrian accident lawyer in Clayton, GA.

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How can a car accident attorney in Clayton help?

When you work with Pendergrass Law, the first thing we’ll do is review your circumstances to see if it’s possible to prove all of the above elements. If so, we’ll set out to gather evidence immediately. This evidence, which may include police reports, medical records, and testimony from expert witnesses, allows us to estimate the compensation you could be entitled to.

Economic damages

Injuries tend to be severe in pedestrian accidents, which means you likely have major medical expenses to deal with. Economic damages can help cover these costs, including hospital bills and even lost wages if you have to miss work.

Non-economic damages

Non-economic damages may also be available. If you’ve experienced mental or emotional trauma, you can file for pain and suffering damages. Those with injuries that have led to a disability have the option to file for loss of enjoyment of life.

Negotiating with the responsible party or filing a lawsuit

Once we have an idea of the kind of compensation that would be fair in your case, we can begin negotiating with the insurance parties. Our attorneys are veteran negotiators and won’t accept an offer they feel is inadequate to address your situation. If negotiations stall, we have years of experience in litigating cases, so we can file a lawsuit and take your case to court.

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Retain the services of a pedestrian accident attorney in Clayton, GA

Many pedestrian accident victims just want to move on from what they’ve been through. We understand the desire to put it all behind you, and we’re here to help you file a claim to receive the compensation you need to do so. When you work with The Pendergrass Law Firm, you get the aid of experienced lawyers who are compassionate and fierce advocates of each one of our clients. We never treat our clients as case numbers — we always consider the person facing the challenges and their unique needs. If you’ve been involved in a pedestrian accident, don’t wait to take action. Contact Pendergrass Law today to start your claim.

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