Whether walking or jogging for exercise, enjoying some fresh air, or heading somewhere specific, you never expect to get involved in a pedestrian accident. Yet, every year, these tragic accidents occur.
If you suffered injuries because of a pedestrian accident, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. A Savannah pedestrian accident lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can help you gather evidence and build a case to pursue compensation for your injuries.
Pedestrian accidents can be traumatic for everyone involved, from the victim to their family. But you are not alone. The team at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can support you throughout our work together while you focus on healing from your injuries. To receive a free, no-risk review of your case with a member of our team, contact Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today.
Why Pedestrian Accidents Happen
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 104,000 pedestrians received emergency room treatment, and more than 7,000 sustained fatal injuries after being struck by motor vehicles in 2020.
These figures are the result of a range of negligent motorist behaviors, including:
- Distracted driving: According to the CDC, distracted driving is any type of behavior that takes your focus away from driving. Texting and driving is a notably dangerous form of this behavior, as it takes your eyes and attention away from the road and your hands off of the steering wheel.
- Alcohol: According to the CDC, alcohol was a contributing factor in 46 percent of crashes that involved a pedestrian fatality in 2019.
- Speeding: The CDC reports that speeding increases the likelihood of a pedestrian accident.
Driver Negligence and Other Causes*
There are many other forms of driver negligence (including any violation of traffic laws) that can cause pedestrian accidents, such as:
- Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign
- Failing to yield to a pedestrian when they have the right of way
- Driving into a pedestrian or bicycle lane or onto a sidewalk
- Failing to drive with your headlights on at night or during times of low visibility
Sometimes, pedestrian accidents stem from issues involving a roadway, vehicle issue, or even another party. For example, accidents can arise because of:
- Dangerous road or intersection designs
- Defective traffic signals
- Missing or obstructed road signs
- Broken street lights
- Faulty brakes and tires
- Road construction
- The actions of another pedestrian or bicyclist
If you believe a negligent driver or another liable party injured you, call Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today for a free review of your case with a representative.
For a free legal consultation with a pedestrian accidents lawyer serving Savannah, call (404) 888-8888
Dangerous Intersections in Savannah
According to WTOC, on average, vehicles hit 11 pedestrians per day in Savannah, and most of these collisions occur in the city’s historic district. Some of the most dangerous intersections for vehicle accidents include:
- Abercorn and White Bluff
- Abercorn and Rio Road
- King George and Abercorn
- Interstate 16 and Chatham Parkway
- DeRenne Avenue and Truman Parkway
- Martin Luther King and 37th Street
If you suffered pedestrian accident injuries anywhere in Savannah, we can fight for you.
Savannah Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Types of Recoverable Damages Our Attorneys Can Pursue
The types of recoverable damages that may be available in your case will depend on the extent of your losses, such as the financial burden the accident placed on you and the permanency of your injuries. We can review your out-of-pocket expenses and can work with doctors, economists, and other experts to better understand your compensable losses.
In general, damages that pedestrian accident victims may recover include:
- Hospital stays and surgical procedures
- Doctor’s examinations, treatments, and therapies
- Medical equipment and devices
- Long-term or in-home nursing services
- Lost wages, including bonuses, benefits, and retirement contributions
- Diminished earning potential
- The value of household services, such as cooking, childcare, and cleaning
- Medically-necessary home and vehicle modifications
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- And more
Wrongful Death-Related Damages
If your loved one did not survive a pedestrian accident because of the seriousness of their injuries, you may be able to recover damages in a wrongful death lawsuit. Some possible types of recoverable damages in a wrongful death claim include:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Medical expenses prior to your loved one’s death
- Wages and benefits provided by the deceased before their death
- Income the deceased would have earned had they lived
- Awards for surviving family members for the loss of their loved one’s care, guidance, and companionship
- And more
To learn more about the specific laws that apply to wrongful death lawsuits in Georgia, call Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today.
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You Can File an Insurance Claim To Seek Damages*
Automobile insurance usually covers pedestrian accidents, so our attorneys could secure compensation through a liability claim. Georgia requires that all drivers have:
- $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person
- $50,000 per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability.
However, your damages may exceed these limits, or the insurance company may not offer a fair settlement. If necessary, we can take your case to civil court to secure the awards you deserve.
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Understanding Georgia’s Modified Comparative Negligence System
O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33 outlines Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rules.
Modified comparative negligence means that even if you bear some responsibility for an accident, you can still recover compensation. However, the court will reduce your awards by the percentage it finds you responsible.
For example, if you are 30 percent at fault for an accident, it is still possible for you to recover 70 percent of your total damages. In Georgia, the fault threshold is 50 percent. That means that if the court finds you 50 percent or more responsible for an accident, you may be ineligible for any compensation.
Know that some defense lawyers and insurance agents may use modified comparative negligence as a defense tactic. They may allege that you bear more responsibility for an accident than you actually do to reduce or even eliminate their client’s liability. A Savannah pedestrian accident lawyer with Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can defend you against these tactics when we represent you.
How the Statute of Limitations Could Impact Your Pedestrian Accident Case
Every state places a limit on the amount of time that victims have to pursue compensation in personal injury cases. According to O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, plaintiffs generally have two years from the date of the accident or loved one’s passing to pursue damages in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in Georgia.
If you fail to file a lawsuit within that time, the court may bar you from any amount of recovery via a lawsuit. A delay in filing insurance claims can also affect your case. If you wait too long, the insurance company may claim your injuries did not arise from your accident. An expired statute of limitations can also reduce your negotiating power when seeking a settlement.
Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can discuss what specific deadlines pertain to your case when you call for a free consultation.
Bader Scott Injury Lawyers Advocates for Pedestrian Accident Victims
We understand how overwhelming it can be to think about taking legal action after a pedestrian accident, but you are not alone. When a Savannah pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm represents you, we can:
- Investigate your case and figure out who is liable for your injuries
- Gather evidence like police reports, medical records, surveillance video, and eyewitness statements
- Calculate your current losses and expected future damages
- Negotiate for a fair settlement with the insurance company representing the responsible party
- Bring your case to trial and defend your rights before a judge or jury, if necessary
We can also manage the communications, paperwork, and legal deadlines in your case while you focus on your recovery.
Contact Our Offices for a Free Consultation
Bader Scott Injury Lawyers represents clients on a contingency-fee basis with no advance payments required. You do not pay for our attorney’s fees in this arrangement unless and until you recover compensation in your case.
Our team focuses exclusively on serving those harmed by others’ negligent actions. We have won millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for injury clients, and we can fight for awards for you, too. For a free, no-obligation review of your case with a member of our team, contact Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form