The pedestrian accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, pursue justice for those people and their families who were injured or killed in a crash while walking. We have over 38 years of experience advocating for individuals who suffered injuries because of someone else’s negligence. We treat every case as if it was our own and ardently strive to achieve the best result possible for each of our clients.
If you were injured or a loved one was tragically killed while walking in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee, our pedestrian accident attorneys may be able to help. Our 40 attorneys and staff of over 100 legal professionals strive to maximize your opportunity to obtain compensation for yourself or your loved ones under the law. We bring our collective knowledge, professionalism, and understanding, and compassion to each case we handle.
One of the major milestones we reach in life happens around our first birthday: learning to walk. Once we get up and start moving, we generally do not stop. As a nation, people in the United States are walking more and more since the proliferation of automotive travel. For example, the Governors' Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reported that 4 million people walk to work on a given week as their primary mode of transportation. This figure represents an increase of 21 percent from 2005. However, in the major metropolitan areas such as Atlanta or Miami, people use a combination of methods to get to work such as taking a train then walking from the station to their place of employment. Additionally, current research does not account for people who walk for health, to school, to shop or enter and exit public transportation busses and taxis. Therefore, there are many more walkers on the road than surveys accurately reflect.
The number of pedestrians killed each year increases as the number of total pedestrians increases. According to the GHSA, the total number of fatal accidents decreased while the number of pedestrian fatalities rose by 19 percent from 2004 to 2014. The GHSA pinpointed some of the primary causes of pedestrian accidents, including:
Pedestrians must be ever vigilant while walking near traffic. Drivers are more distracted than ever and seem to be in a bigger rush. Pedestrians must be mindful not to be distracted themselves and should not walk while looking at a phone. GHSA recommends using crosswalks and pedestrian islands to cross streets more safely. Walkers should also be aware of safety concerns, such as walking out from in between parked cars, rushing to make the changing light, and walking where the driver might encounter other visibility problems. If at all possible while walking in crowded streets or intersections, make sure the driver sees you. If jogging, try to make eye contact with the driver before crossing streets.
The burden is not exclusively on the pedestrian to avoid an accident. People who drive negligently and strike a pedestrian can normally be liable for the pedestrian's damages. Those damages could include current and future medical expenses, lost wages and loss of earning capacity, as well as pain and suffering, to name a few.
If you or a loved one has been injured or if you lost a family member in a pedestrian accident that you believe was caused by someone else’s negligence, call Montlick Injury Attorneys at Law for your free consultation today. Montlick Injury Attorneys has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over 38 years.
No matter where you are located our pedestrian accident attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour live chat.
Sources:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/03/08/pedestrian-fatalities-rising-faster-than-ever-before-study-says/AjfBkW7WPhKsvvbwweL7UP/story.html
http://www.ghsa.org/sites/default/files/2016-11/spotlight_ped2015.pdf