Fatal Smyrna Georgia Hit and Run Accident Claims Pedestrian's Life
A pedestrian was killed in a fatal hit and run accident as the man was walking on Old Concord Road at about 7:00 p.m. Saturday night. The driver fled the scene after colliding with the pedestrian, who tragically died from his injuries. Pedestrian accidents often result in devastating injuries because the pedestrian has no protection from the impact. Fatalities are far too common when a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle.
It is not surprising that this accident occurred at night because the greatest number of pedestrian auto accidents occur during non-daylight hours when pedestrians are not as visible to motorists. If you have suffered injuries in a pedestrian hit and run accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, has been representing people injured or killed in Georgia pedestrian accidents for over 39 years.
There are a number of reasons that hit and run drivers flee the scene of a pedestrian auto accident, including the following:
- Potential civil and criminal liability for the collision
- Lack of insurance coverage required by law
- Driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Outstanding warrants for the driver
- Panic by driver
These are just a few reasons that a driver may flee the scene of a pedestrian auto accident. Because the injuries suffered by a pedestrian are often extremely serious, it is important that an injured pedestrian obtain compensation for his or her injuries. An immediate investigation is important in terms of interviewing potential witnesses or video footage from security cameras in the vicinity which may help identify the driver. The sooner you retain an experienced hit and run pedestrian attorney the better your chance to obtain compensation for your injuries.
What if the driver cannot be identified? If the hit and run driver cannot be identified (or if the driver does not have enough insurance to pay for the injuries), it will be critical to determine if there are other available sources to obtain compensation for your injuries. If the design of the road or intersection is unsafe or the traffic lights are malfunctioning, a government entity may share responsibility for your injuries. Another motorist also may have contributed to the accident by engaging in unsafe driving behavior, such as making an unsafe lane change so the hit and run driver swerves into the pedestrian. An experienced Georgia hit and run accident attorney will investigate all of these potential sources of compensation. If no responsible parties can be identified, your hit and run pedestrian accident attorney may even be able to obtain compensation from your own uninsured motorist insurance- and sometimes from the policy of a relative living in the same house. Typically, you may make a claim against your uninsured motorist coverage for damages suffered in a hit and run accident even if you are a pedestrian.
Our experienced Georgia pedestrian auto accident attorneys are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, 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 we are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a 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.
Our attorneys and staff will work hard to protect your interests and get you the compensation you deserve.