Pedestrians have the right of way at intersections, but drivers often do not pay enough attention to notice them. And when a vehicle hits a pedestrian, it can lead to a devastating accident with catastrophic injuries.
If you’ve been injured by a motorist while on foot, you may be able to claim damages. Our pedestrian accident lawyers in Kennesaw can help throughout the legal process and will fight for your legal rights so that you get exactly what you’re owed.
At Jones & Swanson, we provide a holistic approach to every case. We aim to recover maximum compensation for our clients while offering honest and straightforward advice. With over 50 years of combined experience, our Kennesaw personal injury lawyers have the experience and knowledge needed to tackle your case head-on.
Why You Need Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers in Kennesaw
Our skilled Kennesaw pedestrian accident attorneys will make all the difference to your case. Aside from offering exceptional legal guidance, our team can also handle the entire process so that you can concentrate on recovering from your injuries.
Here are some of the main reasons you need our support:
Detailed and Personalized Approach
Every client is important to us. We go to great lengths to understand your situation and come up with the most appropriate strategy for your case. Our attorneys will listen carefully to your side of the story, review the evidence, and discuss your options in detail, guiding you through every stage of the process.
Local Representation
Our lawyers are hometown-grown, so we know exactly what sort of challenges pedestrians face in Kennesaw. We also have a high level of experience with local court systems and procedures, and have developed strong relationships with judges, which allows us to handle your case more efficiently.
Skilled Negotiations
Insurance companies often try to reduce settlement amounts where possible. As skilled negotiators, we will make sure you get the maximum amount of compensation you’re entitled to, so that all your related damages are covered, including your injuries.
Experienced Legal Counsel
If your accident case goes to trial, we are ready to represent you. Our pedestrian accident attorneys will cross-examine witnesses, preserve and present all evidence, speak on your behalf, and protect your rights at every turn.
Who is Liable in a Pedestrian Accident in Kennesaw?
Liability often depends on the circumstances of the collision. Under Georgia’s Right of Way in Crosswalks law, O.C.G.A. § 40-6-91, drivers must stop and remain stopped to allow pedestrians to cross. However, pedestrians also cannot suddenly walk or run into the path of an oncoming vehicle that does not have enough time to stop safely.
Because both parties have a legal duty of care, liability can sometimes be shared and may include the driver, the pedestrian, another motorist, the car manufacturer, or even a government entity responsible for poor signage or unsafe road conditions.
Shared liability doesn’t stop you from claiming. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence system, which means you can still claim for damages if you were partially responsible for your injuries, but you must be less than 50% at fault.
What Damages Are Available for a Pedestrian Accident?
The amount of financial compensation and type of damages you can claim will be based on the specific circumstances of the pedestrian accident. Your settlement may include economic and non-economic damages, which include:
- Medical expenses
- Hospital bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Rehabilitation costs
- Prescription medication
- Property damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
A Jones & Swanson pedestrian accident attorney can estimate how much you may be owed in damages, based on the evidence provided and how comparative negligence is calculated. We will also use aggressive negotiation techniques to make sure the insurance company provides fair compensation.
What You Should Do After a Pedestrian Accident
If you’re involved in a pedestrian accident, there are a number of steps you can take to secure your physical health and legal rights.
You should:
- Get medical help for both minor and serious injuries: Some injuries may not present at first but can be a lot worse later down the line, so make sure you seek medical attention regardless of how you feel.
- Report the accident to police: Provide law enforcement with a report of what happened and ask for a copy. This will help with your compensation claim.
- Gather your evidence: Take photos of the scene and your injuries, speak to witnesses to get their contact details, secure surveillance footage if possible, and ask for your medical records.
- Avoid speaking to the insurance company: Discussing fault and speculating about the accident could be used against you by insurance companies. To avoid saying the wrong thing, refrain from giving recorded statements or accepting a settlement too early.
- Speak to a Jones & Swanson Kennesaw pedestrian accident lawyer: Our attorneys will handle all communications with insurers, help to identify liable parties, represent you in the event of a trial, and guide you through the entire process.
When you’re the victim of a pedestrian accident, there’s a lot to think about. While you recover from your injuries, our lawyers can handle everything else for you.
Get Help From Jones & Swanson
People who are traveling on foot may be harder to see, but that never excuses the driver of a motor vehicle who does not heed their right of way and causes them serious injuries or even death.
If you have been injured in an accident and become our client, our attorneys are prepared to do whatever it takes to get you successful case results.
Our firm provides free case evaluations, and we also will not charge you until we make a recovery on your behalf. Contact our Kennesaw pedestrian accident lawyer team today to learn more.
