Motor vehicle collisions of all kinds can result in severe injuries, but they can be greatly dangerous for those who do not have the same protection as people inside a vehicle. Cars and trucks can weigh several thousand pounds, and if one of these motor vehicles strikes someone on foot, the victim will likely suffer life-threatening injuries or even wrongful death.
Suppose you were injured in an accident as a pedestrian. In that case, you need someone who understands the issues and concerns affecting the residents of Augusta neighborhoods and the surrounding suburbs. More than that, at T. Madden & Associates, P.C., our legal team’s primary goal is to fight for your rights while always giving back to our community. Our Augusta pedestrian accident attorneys provide excellent legal representation for all personal injury victims, helping you demonstrate liability for your injuries and pursue the financial compensation you lawfully deserve.
Pedestrian Accident Injuries
All drivers must pay close attention to everything happening in traffic and around their vehicles. However, this might be sometimes difficult when they are amid heavy traffic. Distractions such as texting, checking the phone or GPS, or talking with passengers increase the likelihood of pedestrian accidents. Unfortunately, drivers do not take the proper care to notice pedestrians in the crosswalk, causing accidents that can result in serious injuries.
As a pedestrian, you can suffer injuries due to the impact of the collision and risk getting thrown into traffic and struck by other cars. Injuries that often result from pedestrian accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): A blow to the skull can lead to concussions or brain damage, as you are likely to suffer traumatic brain injuries if colliding with a car or the ground.
- Back and neck injuries: Pedestrian accident victims can suffer fractures of the legs, arms, skull, hips, ribs, or facial bones. They can be extremely painful and may take considerable time to heal, affecting your ability to work.
- Internal injuries: Such injuries can be life-threatening, and in most cases, they may require surgery to maintain the proper function of the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, or other bodily systems.
- Sprains and dislocated joints: These injuries can affect your mobility, and you may need extensive physical therapy.
- Road rash: As a pedestrian accident victim, you may experience severe abrasions, lacerations, and contusions. In some cases, these result in permanent scarring and disfigurement.
As a black-owned and managed law firm, here at T. Madden & Associates, P.C., we maintain a standard of black excellence by hiring exceptional legal talent to provide each of our clients with the respect, attention, and focus they deserve. Moreover, our communication style is honest, open, and direct. Our pedestrian accident lawyers leave out the legal jargon and speak in terms you can understand.
Source: North Carolina Office of State Human Resources
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Augusta
One of the first tasks an Augusta personal injury lawyer has to complete during the pedestrian accident case is identifying the cause of the accident. This will allow us to determine the at-fault party and gather evidence against them as proof of fault. The two most common causes of pedestrian collisions in Augusta and throughout Georgia are:
- Driver errors, such as distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, failing to yield the right-of-way
- Road defects, such as lack of crosswalks, cracked sidewalks, broken traffic signals, and dangerous design
If you were harmed in a pedestrian accident due to a driver’s negligence or reckless behavior, you have the right to seek compensation in a personal injury claim or lawsuit. However, you first need to establish the driver’s liability in order to secure your compensation.
Contact our accident lawyers in Augusta for immediate representation. Our Augusta personal injury lawyers understand the complexities of pedestrian accidents and are well aware that the at-fault party’s insurance company could try to trick you into accepting a lower settlement. They might even advise you to accept a settlement without ever speaking to an attorney. This is a mistake insurance companies want you to make. Do not let yourself be dragged into their game.
Compensation Available in an Augusta Pedestrian
By filing personal injury claims or lawsuits, you can recover financial compensation for your injuries and damages you experienced due to the accident. In Georgia, in pedestrian accident claims, you may be eligible to recover two types of damages: economic and non-economic.
Economic Damages
These damages included the tangible financial losses you have experienced due to your pedestrian accident. Such accidents can result in severe injuries that may require extensive treatment and recovery times, including property damage. As an injured pedestrian, you may hold the at-fault driver accountable for the following losses:
- Lost wages during the recovery period or while you are receiving treatment for your injuries
- All past and future medical expenses, including prescription medication, hospital stays, emergency room care, and surgeries
- Loss of future wages if your condition prevents you from returning to work at all
- Any disability accommodation that you may require due to your injuries, such as vehicle modification or mobility equipment
- Property repairs and replacement for any damage incurred in the pedestrian accident
Non-Economic Damages
These damages refer to the pain and suffering you experienced from the pedestrian accident. Such losses could be physical or involve psychological trauma. Among the most common non-economic damages are:
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Chronic pain
- Permanent disability
- Fear and anxiety
- Loss of quality of life
- Mental anguish
Non-economic damages can be challenging to prove as they do not always leave tangible evidence. However, our team will apply common formulas to estimate your potential pain and suffering compensation correctly.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Why Choose an Augusta Pedestrian Accident Lawyer from T. Madden & Associates, P.C.?
Here at T. Madden & Associates, P.C., we are devoted not only to pursuing the justice you deserve but also to the betterment of our local community. Our Augusta personal injury lawyers love the Augusta area. Furthermore, our legal team has invested significant time and resources in non-profits and local charities over the years. That is why we recognize the importance of giving back to our community, neighborhoods, and suburbs in Georgia.
Our Augusta pedestrian accident lawyers have become champions for African Americans and pride themselves on providing excellent legal representation to minorities. The success of our black-owned firm is entirely due to our clients trusting us to make a difference in their personal injury cases and lives.
If you suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident in Augusta, do not risk your chance of recovery on someone unqualified to handle such cases. Recovering from a severe injury may be difficult, even in the best circumstances. If another party caused your accident, you could struggle to pick up the pieces. Almost every area of your life can be affected, from your health to your career, finances, and your family’s overall well-being.
As black lawyers, we understand that many communities and minorities often do not receive a fair shake when it comes to the legal system. Let our Augusta pedestrian accident lawyers protect your rights and help you get back on your feet. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation! We are here to help, from getting you the best healthcare providers to securing financial compensation that allows you to not worry about your future again. Need an Augusta car accident lawyer? You have come to the right place.
FAQs
How Long Do I Have to File My Pedestrian Accident Claim in Georgia?
There is limited time to bring your pedestrian accident case to court. In Georgia, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case is two years from the date of the accident. This deadline is also available for a wrongful death claim. However, if you have a claim against a government entity, you have only one year to file your claim.
I Am Just a Little Sore. Do I Still Need to See a Doctor?
Absolutely! A car hitting you may cause serious injuries; some are not always visible. You could suffer a brain injury or internal organ damage with delayed onset symptoms. So seeing a doctor or healthcare provider immediately is critical for your health.
I Was Not in a Crosswalk. Do I Still Have a Case?
You may have. Even if you were illegally crossing the road at the time of the accident, the driver who hit you had a duty of care to be appropriately vigilant for pedestrians. Other factors might contribute to your accident, such as the driver being tired or distracted. That is why you need us on your side to conduct a thorough investigation and determine who was responsible for the accident.
How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents in Georgia?
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are on the rise nationwide. Just five states – Georgia, Arizona, Florida, Texas, and California- accounted for 46 percent of all pedestrian deaths in 2019 in the United States. In Georgia, such accidents have increased by 14 percent from 2019 to 2020, despite the lower traffic volume due to the pandemic. In 2021, Georgia had 273 pedestrian fatalities.