Traffic accidents are common in Macon, GA. While these incidents put everyone at risk of sustaining injuries, some of the most vulnerable victims are pedestrians. A pedestrian has no protection from injuries when they are struck by a vehicle. If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian accident, you could receive compensation for your injuries and damages.
An experienced Macon pedestrian accident lawyer can help you seek a fair settlement from the negligent driver or other responsible party. Our Georgia personal injury lawyers at The King Firm have 17 years of combined experience and have recovered millions for our clients in cases like Macon bicycle accidents, Macon slip and fall accidents, workplace accidents, motorcycle accidents, and more.
We are available 24/7 to discuss your case. Call our law offices today to schedule a free consultation at (478) 292-7272.
How The King FIrm Can Help if You’ve Been Injured in a Pedestrian Accident in Macon, Georgia
Walking, jogging, and running can be an enjoyable activity. Walking can also be a great way to save money on transportation costs and improve your health. However, you risk being hit by a car each time you walk along Macon roads. Pedestrian deaths are increasing much faster than other traffic deaths.
At The King Firm, our legal team understands the devastation caused by a negligent driver. We have seen the physical, emotional, and financial toll a pedestrian accident takes on the victim and their family members. Our Macon personal injury lawyers will fight to get justice for you after an accident by obtaining fair and full compensation for your damages.
When you hire our top-rated pedestrian accident lawyers in Macon, you can trust that we will:
- Investigate your accident claim to determine why you were injured
- Gather evidence proving that the driver negligently caused your injuries
- Work with accident reconstructionists, financial professionals, medical specialists, and other expert witnesses to strengthen your case
- File insurance and personal injury claims
- Document and analyze your damages to determine how much your pedestrian accident case is worth
- Aggressively negotiate for the total value of your damages
- File a lawsuit and fiercely argue your case at trial if necessary
When you hire an attorney to handle your pedestrian accident case, experience matters. Our attorneys are highly rated by numerous organizations, including Super Lawyers, Avvo, and Justia. Lead Attorney J.L. King II has also obtained Champion membership in the Georgia Trial Lawyer’s Association.
Contact our car accident attorneys in Macon, Georgia, today to schedule a free case review.
What Types of Injuries Can Pedestrians Sustain When They Are Hit by a Car in Macon, GA?
Pedestrians are vulnerable to catastrophic injuries in an accident. Even a low-speed pedestrian accident can cause significant physical injuries. In addition to the physical injuries, an accident victim may also experience overwhelming emotional distress.
Common injuries associated with pedestrian accidents in Macon include:
- Fractured, crushed, and broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Nerve injuries
- Hip, shoulder, knee, and other joint injuries
Immediate medical treatment can reduce the chance of developing life-threatening complications or permanent impairments. Prompt medical care also supports your personal injury claim by helping refute claims by the driver that the crash did not cause your injuries or that you failed to mitigate damages.
Common Causes of Macon Pedestrian Accidents
Negligence is the most common cause of pedestrian accidents in Macon, GA. This is when a driver fails to take reasonable care to avoid hitting a pedestrian. Types of negligent driving behavior that can lead to a pedestrian accident include:
- Distracted driving, including texting and using an electronic device while driving
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Failing to yield the right of way to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections
- Racing to “beat” a red or yellow light
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
- Failing to pay attention when backing up
- Aggressive driving and road rage
- Drowsy and fatigued driving
In addition to driver negligence, other factors could contribute to the cause of a pedestrian accident. Malfunctioning or broken traffic signals could cause a pedestrian accident. Defectively or dangerously designed intersections could also be a factor.
Proving Negligence for a Pedestrian Accident in Macon, GA
As the injured victim, you have the burden of proving the driver was negligent in causing the accident. The four elements of a negligence claim are:
- Legal duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
All drivers have a legal duty of care to follow traffic laws and use reasonable care to avoid accidents. Breaking a traffic law, failing to pay attention, or driving under the influence could be considered a breach of duty. A driver breaches the duty of care when they fail to act with the same caution as a reasonable person.
However, failing to use reasonable care is only part of the claim. You must prove that the driver’s breach of duty was the direct and proximate cause of your injuries. Lastly, you must prove that you were injured and sustained damages.
What Damages Can I Receive for a Pedestrian Accident in Macon, GA?
Damages represent the harm and loss you sustained because of a negligent driver. You can recover economic damages for a pedestrian accident. Economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Personal care and household services
- Lost wages and benefits
- Property damage
- Rehabilitative therapy
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Reduced earning capacity
You can recover money to compensate you for the pain and suffering you experienced because of the accident. Your non-economic damages include:
- Physical discomfort and pain
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Impairments and disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
Some personal injury lawsuits may result in punitive damages. Juries do not award punitive damages to compensate you for your losses. Punitive damages are intended to “punish” the defendant for wanton, willful misconduct that shows a complete lack of care for others.
Our Macon pedestrian accident lawyers thoroughly examine all aspects of your case and document your damages to ensure we maximize your recovery. We’ll work with various experts to value your damages accurately.
How Much Is My Macon Pedestrian Accident Case Worth?
The value of your damages depends on numerous factors. We evaluate each factor to determine how it could impact how much your pedestrian accident claim is worth.
Factors that can impact how much your case is worth include:
- The type of injuries you sustain in the accident
- The length of your recovery and the types of medical treatment you receive
- Whether you sustain permanent impairments and the extent the impairment impacts your life
- The level of scarring and disfigurement
- The parties involved in the case
- The availability of insurance coverage and the policy limits
- The strength of the evidence proving negligence
- Whether you could be partially to blame for causing your accident
- Whether you can return to work and/or if your work is limited because of life-long injuries
Our attorneys will diligently pursue all damages in your case. We’ll work to maximize the factors that increase the value of your claim.
Contributory Fault and Pedestrian Accidents in Macon, GA
Georgia does not use contributory fault to bar injured victims from recovering compensation for damages unless they are 50% or more to blame for causing their injuries.
However, if you are less than 50% to blame, Georgia’s modified comparative negligence statute allows you to recover some compensation for damages.
The amount you receive depends on your level of fault. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of blame. Therefore, if you are 20% to blame, the judge reduces the damages award by that amount. If you hire our legal team, we can work to minimize the amount of fault you are assigned, if any.
How Long Do I Have To File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Macon, GA?
The Georgia statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is two years from the injury date. However, there are exceptions. Therefore, you could have less or more time to file a lawsuit.
It is never wise to assume you have plenty of time to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you file your lawsuit after the deadline, a judge could dismiss your lawsuit without considering whether you have a valid legal claim. You would lose your right to pursue a legal claim for damages.
It is best to consult our personal injury attorneys as soon as possible after your accident. We will review all factors in your case that could impact the filing deadline.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Macon Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Our attorneys at The King Firm are equipped to handle the most complex personal injury cases. We utilize our vast resources and experience to seek justice for you and your family. Call now for a free case review with one of our trusted Macon pedestrian accident attorneys.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Macon, GA
The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers
886 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA, 31201
(478) 292-7272
Our Macon, GA, personal injury law firm also provides:
- Macon Bicycle Accident Lawyer
- Brain Injury Attorneys in Macon, GA
- Car Accident Lawyers in Macon
- Catastrophic Injury Attorney in Macon
- Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Macon, GA
- Premises Liability Lawyer in Macon, GA
- Macon Product Liability Attorneys
- Slip and Fall Lawyers in Macon
- Macon Truck Accident Attorney
- Uber Accident Attorneys in Macon, GA
- Macon Workplace Accident Lawyer
- Wrongful Death Attorney in Macon, GA