Riverdale Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
When someone gets hit by a motor vehicle, they sustain severe bodily harm that may require costly and extensive medical treatment. As a result, a single accident can result in significant damages, losses, and ongoing pain and suffering.
If you suffered injuries after being struck by a vehicle, you should contact a Riverdale pedestrian accident lawyer. A local personal injury attorney with experience in handling these types of claims could review your situation, discuss your legal rights, and asses what options may be available to you. Depending on your case, a lawyer may be able to achieve a favorable resolution to your claim via a settlement negotiation or a trial verdict.
Pedestrian Traffic Laws
Individuals have the right of way in crosswalks under Official Code of Georgia Annotated §40-6-91. However, if a person is crossing somewhere other than the crosswalk, they must yield to vehicles unless they have already safely entered the roadway, according to O.C.G.A. §40-6-92. Furthermore, pedestrians are never permitted to cross a road diagonally unless authorized to do so by a traffic device or emergency official.
Like most personal injury cases, establishing the defendant’s negligence in is crucial. An injured pedestrian should discuss the facts surrounding their accident with a Riverdale attorney. They could discuss with the plaintiff how their actions may impact their case.
Shared Fault in Pedestrian Accident Cases
Even if an injured party is partially at-fault for their accident, the court may still allow them to recover damages. Under O.C.G.A. §51-12-33, a plaintiff may be 49 percent or less at fault for their injuries and still recover financial compensation. If the plaintiff is assigned blame, then the total amount they may recover is reduced by that same percentage. A pedestrian accident lawyer from Riverdale could work to build a case that reduces a claimant’s liability and protect an individual’s compensation.
Recoverable Damages
A plaintiff can generally pursue general and special damages under O.C.G.A. §51-12-1. These damages should compensate the plaintiff for both their actual economic losses and their psychological harm. Together, these damages may include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of society, and more.
Furthermore, depending upon the severity of the defendant’s actions, a plaintiff may be able to pursue punitive damages as well. For an injured pedestrian to raise this additional claim, however, the defendant must be shown to have acted beyond mere negligence, with willful misconduct or malice.
Because of the diversity and case-dependent nature of these different types of damages, an injured pedestrian should discuss the details of their accident with a Riverdale attorney.
Reach out to a Riverdale Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Whether you are dealing with a minor wound or more significant injuries, if you suffered harm after being hit by a vehicle, you should reach out to a Riverdale pedestrian accident lawyer. Depending on your case, you may be able to pursue financial compensation for the losses you sustained. Speak with a local lawyer and discuss what your legal options may be.
