Although any motor vehicle accident could cause significant injury, pedestrian collisions present a higher risk of causing permanent injury. In this blog article, our personal injury lawyers provide important information for pedestrian accident victims.
Although any motor vehicle accident could cause significant injury, pedestrian collisions present a higher risk of causing permanent injury. In this blog article, our DeKalb County personal injury lawyers provide important information for pedestrian accident victims.
Why Injury Victims Need a Dedicated and Experienced Georgia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
People often assume that a motorist is always at-fault when the driver hits a pedestrian. Motorists are expected to exercise reasonable care for the safety of pedestrians, and many injury victims struck by cars while on foot would be mistaken in assuming that liability of the driver is virtually automatic. This false assumption sometimes leads an injured pedestrian to presume that direct negotiation with the driver’s insurance company makes sense. While the motorist’s insurer might contact an injured pedestrian to propose a settlement that is supposed to be fair, the insurance company’s interest is reducing liability or finding a basis to minimize or deny the claim. The insurance company might offer a quick settlement that covers past medical expenses and lost wages but fails to take into account future medical needs, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, or other types of losses. Once a claim is concluded, it can never be reopened.
When insurance companies confront unrepresented pedestrians, they generally exploit the lack of familiarity of injury victims with legal procedures, evidentiary rules, and the substantive law. Insurance companies also generally have access to investigators, medical experts, and enormous litigation resources. They normally use these advantages to the fullest extent when dealing with injured pedestrians who experience the multiple traumas involved in a pedestrian crash.
However, pedestrian accidents are quite serious, and can involve multiple types of impacts involving different parts of the body, such as in the following ways:
- The bumper strikes the pedestrian’s body.
- The pedestrian’s body hits the hood above the vehicle bumper, and can even roll over the top of the car.
- The head and/or torso of the pedestrian slams into the hood and/or windshield of the car.
- The person is thrown to the ground.
Given the risk of multiple impacts and lack of physical protection from injury, pedestrians often experience life-altering injuries that include:
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Pelvic and hip fractures
- Severe injury to internal organs like the kidneys, spleen, and liver
- Facial disfigurement and traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones and compound fractures
- Paraplegia or quadriplegia
If you have been injured in a pedestrian collision caused by an unsafe driver, our experienced Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyers diligently pursue the fullest financial recovery under the law for our clients. Montlick and Associates has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast for over 39 years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our 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 Online Chat.
Source: http://www.madd.org/statistics/
Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law
17 Executive Park Dr NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Telephone: 1 (800) LAW-NEED
Telephone: 1 (404) 529-6333
Open: 24 hours, 7 Days a Week
