Pedestrian accidents in Macon often result in serious injuries that can create high medical bills for victims. Pedestrian accidents are typically much more dangerous than truck and car accidents, and victims may suffer broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, and other catastrophic injuries. Pedestrian accident victims often cannot return to work and require costly long-term care.
Unfortunately, in Macon, Georgia, pedestrian accidents are prevalent. Those who recover from their injuries usually have life-long side effects. Pedestrian accidents are often caused by the negligence of another person.
Injured pedestrians need our experienced Macon pedestrian accident lawyers to help them claim compensation for injuries. You deserve maximum compensation, and working with a dedicated lawyer can encourage the insurance company to process your injury claim thoroughly. Our Macon pedestrian accident attorneys will help you get justice for your injuries.
Who Is at Fault When Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Macon?
Determining who is at fault for a Macon pedestrian accident typically depends on which person has the right of way, the vehicle that struck the pedestrian, or the pedestrian. According to Georgia law, pedestrians must cross in clearly marked crosswalks and must yield to oncoming vehicles unless they have already entered the roadway under safe conditions.
If a pedestrian enters the street at an intersection or in a crosswalk, the pedestrian generally has the right of way. However, pedestrians cannot step onto the road in the path of oncoming traffic that would not have sufficient time to stop safely. Also, pedestrians cannot cross diagonally at an intersection unless an official traffic control device authorizes the crossing.
In the moments immediately following some pedestrian accidents, it may be unclear who was at fault for the motor vehicle accident. An experienced Macon attorney can be a crucial ally in proving fault in personal injury claims. In pedestrian accident cases where it is unclear who caused the accident, it may be necessary to provide evidence showing the motorist was driving at night without lights, speeding, running a red light, driving while distracted, or engaging in another form of negligence.
Compensation Following a Macon Pedestrian Accident
If you have been injured in a Macon pedestrian accident, and another person is to blame, you could be entitled to financial compensation. If you are recovering from injuries, you are likely not working, and the bills are piling up. You may be entitled to recover various damages through a pedestrian accident lawsuit or insurance claim.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses include past and future expenses related to your accident injuries. This can include ambulance rides, hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription medications, and more. Receipts showing what you paid out-of-pocket will be calculated in your recovery amount.
Lost Wages
Injuries take time to heal, especially severe pedestrian injuries. You can claim lost income from the day of your pedestrian accident. You are entitled to receive tips and bonuses you would have received while you were out of work.
Lost Earning Capacity
When your injuries prevent you from returning to work, you may need to make other arrangements. If you have to take a lower-paying position at your current place of work or find a new workplace altogether, you are likely to lose potential earnings. You can claim the amount you would have earned up to the age of retirement.
Scarring and Disfigurement
Pedestrian accident injuries are typically very severe and can leave people with permanent scarring and life-long disfigurement. This can cause people to be self-conscious and worry about what others may think or prevent them from wanting or being able to return to the workplace. You should be fully compensated if you suffer permanent scarring or disfigurement.
Disability
When hit with a large vehicle, the impact on the human body can be tremendous. Some injuries cause temporary or permanent disability that can require expenses such as in-home help with cooking, cleaning, or even transportation. Your personal injury attorney can help you calculate these expenses in your personal injury lawsuit.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering covers both physical and emotional pain. Being hit with a moving vehicle can cause excruciating pain and severe injuries that are painful while they heal. People may relive the experience, causing them to have nightmares, experience anxiety, and suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
An injury victim can claim the loss of enjoyment of life when they can no longer experience what they did prior to the accident. They may be unable to physically partake in activities and hobbies like before. Those who suffer permanent disability or scarring and disfigurement may be unable to participate in events with friends and family.
Insurance Coverage for Macon Pedestrian Accidents
The first place a Macon pedestrian accident victim should turn for coverage of their injuries is the at-fault driver’s auto liability insurance. Unfortunately, many Georgia drivers carry only the bare minimum amount of liability coverage required under Georgia law, which is $25,000. When a victim suffers severe injuries, which typically happen in pedestrian accidents, the coverage from an insurance policy can quickly run out.
So, what happens if the at-fault driver does not carry enough liability coverage to pay for all your expenses? What happens if the at-fault motorist does not have automobile insurance or chooses not to stop at the accident scene? Situations such as these can require the help of an experienced and knowledgeable Macon pedestrian accident lawyer who can help you seek other possible sources of coverage.
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage
Even though you were not in a vehicle and were a pedestrian during the accident, you could still use the coverage of your personal auto insurance policy. Your insurance policy may include underinsured motorist coverage. This coverage can provide additional compensation if the at-fault driver does not have enough liability insurance to fully cover your expenses.
Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage
In situations where you were injured by a hit-and-run driver or the at-fault driver does not have automobile insurance, you may be able to seek benefits from your automobile policy’s uninsured motorist coverage. If your injuries are not covered by your UIM/UM, or if the coverage is still not enough, you could be entitled to receive additional UIM/UM benefits as a “resident relative” of a family member in your household who is covered under their automobile policy.
The above are just a few examples of possible sources of coverage that could apply to your circumstances. The pedestrian accident lawyers at T. Madden & Associates, P.C. are committed to finding every possible source of insurance coverage for your injuries.
What Should You Do if You Are a Pedestrian Hit by a Vehicle in Macon?
Unfortunately, many pedestrian accident victims are rendered unconscious when struck by a moving vehicle. Other accident victims could be conscious but still in a daze. You will likely be in shock if you are still conscious after being struck by a moving car.
No matter the situation in your pedestrian accident, whenever you are thinking clearly, you should take the following steps to protect your rights:
- Call the authorities. After being struck by a vehicle in a pedestrian accident in Macon, you must immediately call 911 for medical attention and for police to arrive on the scene to investigate and make a police report. It is important to receive a full evaluation from a medical doctor, even if you think your injuries are minor. Certain injuries, such as internal bleeding and brain injuries, can be hard to detect.
- Gather information. Collect as much information as possible from the at-fault party. This includes their name, driver’s license information, license plate number, and insurance information. Collect contact information from any witnesses to the accident.
- Collect evidence. Take pictures and videos of the accident scene from many distances and angles. Get pictures of relevant details, such as traffic signals and road hazards. Photograph your injuries and the damage to the involved vehicle.
- Contact a Macon pedestrian accident lawyer for help with your pedestrian accident case. It is important that you get qualified legal counsel immediately following your accident to discuss your options and seek the compensation you deserve.
Contact T. Madden & Associates, P.C.
Our firm is dedicated to assisting pedestrian accident victims to seek compensation from those who caused their injuries. We are proud of our work for our clients and community. If you want to learn more about our services, contact us using our online contact form.