If you were hit by a vehicle while walking, an Alpharetta pedestrian accident lawyer at John Foy & Associates can help you understand your rights, determine who may be liable, and pursue compensation for your injuries and related losses.
Our firm represents injured pedestrians in Alpharetta and throughout Georgia. Since 1999, John Foy & Associates has recovered more than $1 billion for injured clients, and we remain closely involved with the Atlanta and Georgia community.
If you were injured in a pedestrian collision, contact us for a free consultation with an Alpharetta personal injury lawyer.
How Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Alpharetta
Pedestrian accidents can occur in crosswalks, parking lots, intersections, school zones, neighborhood streets, shopping areas, and other places where drivers and pedestrians share the roadway. Congestion, distracted driving, speeding, and reduced visibility can all increase the risk of a serious collision.
Many crashes occur because a driver fails to watch for pedestrians or follow traffic laws. Our Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyers also handle claims involving drivers who fail to yield, run traffic signals, make unsafe turns, or back out without checking for people behind their vehicles.
Other contributing factors may include:
- Broken or malfunctioning traffic signals.
- Poorly marked crosswalks.
- Inadequate lighting.
- Obstructed sidewalks or walkways.
- Unsafe parking lot conditions.
- Road design or maintenance problems.
The circumstances of the collision determine who may be legally responsible. A driver is often the primary at-fault party, but businesses, property owners, employers, vehicle owners, or government entities may also be involved in some cases.
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Who May Be Liable for a Pedestrian Accident
Determining who caused the collision is an important part of a pedestrian injury claim. Depending on the circumstances, potentially liable parties may include:
- Drivers who violate traffic laws or fail to yield.
- Employers whose drivers were working at the time of the crash.
- Property owners responsible for hazardous parking lots or walkways.
- Vehicle owners who negligently entrusted a vehicle to an unsafe driver.
- Government entities responsible for certain road, signal, or maintenance conditions, when a claim is permitted by law.
Our pedestrian accident attorneys in Alpharetta review police reports, witness accounts, video footage, vehicle information, roadway conditions, and other evidence to determine how the collision occurred and who may share responsibility.
Claims involving a city, county, or other government entity may also be subject to special notice requirements and shorter procedural deadlines. If a public entity may be responsible, waiting to obtain legal advice can put those requirements at risk.
Compensation After an Alpharetta Pedestrian Accident
A pedestrian accident claim can seek compensation for the financial and personal losses caused by another party’s negligence. The amount available depends on your injuries, treatment, income losses, available insurance coverage, and the effect the collision has had on your life.
Depending on your case, damages may include:
- Emergency room and hospital bills.
- Surgery and follow-up medical care.
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages.
- Reduced future earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering.
- Permanent disability or impairment.
- Scarring or disfigurement.
- Assistive medical equipment.
- Accident-related transportation and household assistance.
We evaluate both the losses you have already incurred and those you are reasonably expected to face in the future. For someone with permanent injuries, anticipated medical care and reduced earning capacity can account for a substantial portion of the claim.
How Georgia Pedestrian Laws Can Affect Your Case
Georgia law establishes duties for both drivers and pedestrians. Drivers must stop and remain stopped for pedestrians in a crosswalk when the pedestrian is on the driver’s half of the roadway or approaching closely enough to meet the requirements of Georgia law. Pedestrians also may not suddenly enter the path of a vehicle when the driver cannot reasonably yield.
Different rules apply when someone crosses outside a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. In many situations, the pedestrian must yield to vehicles already on the roadway unless the pedestrian has entered the road safely.
These rules do not automatically determine who is responsible for every crash. Our Alpharetta pedestrian injury lawyers examine where you were walking, traffic controls, visibility, vehicle speed, driver conduct, and other evidence before assessing fault.
Georgia Comparative Negligence
A driver or insurer may argue that you shared responsibility for the collision. Georgia uses modified comparative negligence, so your compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
Crossing outside a crosswalk does not automatically mean you are entirely responsible for an accident. The facts still need to be evaluated under the applicable pedestrian laws and the conduct of everyone involved.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
Your actions after a collision can affect your health and the evidence available for your claim. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you initially believe your injuries are minor.
If your condition allows, you should also:
- Call 911 and report the collision.
- Get the driver’s name and insurance information.
- Photograph the vehicle, roadway, crosswalk, and surrounding area.
- Get names and contact information from witnesses.
- Obtain the police report number.
- Keep copies of medical bills and treatment records.
- Preserve damaged clothing or personal property.
- Avoid posting details about the accident or your injuries on social media.
Be cautious about giving detailed statements to an insurance adjuster before you understand your legal position. You should also review a settlement carefully before accepting it, particularly when you are still receiving treatment or do not yet know whether your injuries will have lasting effects.
How Our Pedestrian Injury Lawyers in Alpharetta Help With Claims
Pedestrian accident cases can require much more than submitting an insurance claim. We investigate the collision, identify available insurance coverage, gather medical documentation, and determine the losses that should be included in your claim.
Our work may include:
- Obtaining police and accident reports.
- Interviewing witnesses.
- Reviewing photographs and video footage.
- Seeking available traffic or surveillance footage.
- Gathering medical records and bills.
- Documenting lost income and reduced earning ability.
- Communicating directly with insurers.
- Evaluating settlement offers.
- Preparing a lawsuit when a fair settlement cannot be reached.
Insurance companies may dispute liability, question medical treatment, or argue that injuries are less serious than the records show. We use the available evidence to present a clear account of how the collision occurred and how it has affected you.
Speak With an Alpharetta Pedestrian Accident Attorney
When you are recovering from a pedestrian accident, we can explain what Georgia law allows and help you understand whether you have a claim against the driver or another responsible party.
John Foy & Associates offers free consultations and is available 24/7. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so you do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. The fee percentage is agreed upon before representation begins.
Contact us to discuss what happened with one of our Alpharetta pedestrian accident lawyers and get a clearer picture of your legal options.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form