tuned IN to Injury
Pedestrian Accidents
Duluth Pedestrian Accidents Lawyer
Accidents involving pedestrians are far too common. It’s estimated that in the state of Georgia alone, the costs of hospitalization and emergency room care for pedestrian accidents exceeds $170 million each year. There are cases when the person was injured not through any fault of their own, but by the negligence of someone else. In those cases, it’s appropriate for the financial burden to be put on the insurance company of the negligent party. A Duluth pedestrian accidents lawyer from Attorney in Tune, LLC can help injured pedestrians seek justice.
Cooperating attorneys from Attorney In Tune, LLC are tough negotiators, experienced litigators, and vigorous advocates on behalf of their clients. Let them fight to get you a fair settlement. Attorney in Tune, LLC can be reached at (833) 663-7468 or here online to set up a free consultation. From our Duluth office, we serve Lawrenceville, Norcross, across Gwinnett County and north into Hall County.
Pedestrian Rights & Responsibilities in Georgia
In Title 40, Chapter 6, Article 5 of the Georgia code, the rights and responsibilities of pedestrians are laid out. The law makes reasonable attempts to address as many nuances as possible, given the different situations that cause each accident. The basics of the law are these:
- Pedestrians have the right of way in a marked crosswalk
- Blind pedestrians–identified by the use of a white walking stick or a guard dog, have the right of way.
- Pedestrians may walk on road shoulders, so long as they stay as far from traffic as possible.
- Pedestrians must obey the traffic signals, the same as the driver of an automobile
- Pedestrians may not be in the road or even on road shoulders while intoxicated
- When no marked crosswalk exists, pedestrians must yield the right of way to oncoming traffic
- If a pedestrian has begun to cross under safe conditions, an oncoming vehicle must then yield.
These basics, along with the myriad of detail in Title 40, Chapter 6, Article 5, provide the basis for understanding who is liable when a pedestrian accident occurs.
Proving Liability in Pedestrian Accident Cases
There are four elements of negligence that the victim of a pedestrian accident must prove if they are to collect damages. The question of liability–who breached a duty of care to whom–may be one of the most strongly contested. An insurance company for the defendant may well seek to shift responsibility for the accident onto the injured plaintiff. It’s important for the Duluth pedestrian accidents lawyer representing the plaintiff to have gathered the necessary evidence to blunt this effort from the defense.
The sources of evidence in a pedestrian accidents case–as with other personal injury lawsuits–can range from cell phone pictures taken at the scene to eyewitness testimony. The plaintiff–presuming they are physically able–can help their own cause by taking photos and getting contact information for witnesses, which can then be turned over to their lawyer for follow-up.
An attorney can reach out to the police department to get a copy of the report that was filed. If the accident was on a main city street, it’s possible there may be video footage that the lawyer can request. If the police photos include skid marks or other telltale signs, a lawyer can summon expert witnesses who will offer testimony as to what those signs indicate regarding the speed of the other driver .
All of this evidence adds up to create a picture for the court that will tell what really happened and who is at fault. Little details can prove exceptionally significant. Securing a fair pedestrian accidents settlement calls for diligent legal preparation followed by determined advocacy with insurance companies and in the courts.
Our cooperating attorneys knows all about the importance of both negotiation and litigation. Their past experience and vast backgrounds have given them an astute understanding of both. Attorney in Tune, LLC was founded to make those skills available to those in need of strong representation after an accident.
Reach Out to Our Firm Today
Call Attorney in Tune, LLC today at (833) 663-7468 or contact us online. We offer free consultations, and from our Duluth office, we serve Lawrenceville, Norcross, all of Gwinnett County and north into Hall County.