Many Marietta, GA accidents usually involve motorists colliding with other motorists. However, it is not rare to find that pedestrians are also injured when an accident occurs. In the case of drunken driving, many drivers end up hitting pedestrians with some leaving them for dead. Reports of pedestrian accidents have reduced in recent years due to new regulations by the state of Georgia. There has been a decrease in the number of people being hit directly by vehicles. However, in truck accidents and other crashes involving motor vehicles, people who are not driving still get affected. Pedestrians who are hit by a motorist or otherwise injured during an accident can get compensation. It is usually paid by everyone that is found to be at fault for the Marietta, GA accident. To get the best results, you should hire a Marietta pedestrian accident attorney to handle your case. The personal injury lawyer is in charge of ensuring that you get what you need to get better. Whether you are still in the hospital or not, he can get the ball rolling for your benefit.
What Are the Common Types of Pedestrian Accidents and How Can a Pedestrian Accident Attorney Assist?
There are many different causes and types of pedestrian accidents. Two common causes are:
- Distracted driving. If a driver is distracted, it not only leads to accidents with other motorists but pedestrians too. It only takes a second of being distracted by something such as your mobile phone to hit someone. It is especially common at night when Marietta, GA roads are not well lit. Drivers check their phones or start doing something else in the car and end up hitting someone. If you get injuries in this type of accident, it is easy to get proof to seek compensation. However, the process is much more comfortable and seamless with a pedestrian accident lawyer present.
- Drunken driving. If you are driving under the influence, it is likely that your vision won’t be at its best. You may have trouble driving in the correct lane and end up off the road. If this happens, and the driver veers onto the sidewalk, he could easily hit a pedestrian. Many people in Georgia still drink and drive. Drunken driving is one of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents. A pedestrian accident attorney can help you get compensation for such a tragedy. He will have to prove that the driver was intoxicated.
Some types of accidents occur more frequently than others. Some of the common ones are:
Driveway Accidents
These are quite common in neighborhoods when a driver doesn’t see a pedestrian on the sidewalk. The pedestrian, on the other hand, may assume that the driver is observant and must have seen him. However, this is not always the case. You may get into a nasty crash in Marietta, GA and be severely injured. The good news is that you can seek compensation through an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer. He will help you prove that the driver was liable for your injuries and therefore has to pay you damages.
Turns at an Intersection
Crossing an intersection without the appropriate signs and lights is difficult for pedestrians. That is because they are usually at the mercy of drivers who may not allow them to cross safely. A careless driver may feel that he has the right of way and make a turn without looking for pedestrians. In such a case, the court may even award you punitive damages if you have an excellent pedestrian accident attorney.
Hit and Run
Many Marietta, GA drivers leave the scene when they hit pedestrians and there are no witnesses around. That is because they know that they will have to pay for their injuries. Hit and run cases are prevalent on roads where it is likely that there will be little traffic. It can be difficult to find the driver in a hit and run accident. That’s why you need to have an excellent pedestrian accident lawyer. He will hire an investigator to look into your crash. Once you know who hit you, you can not only file for compensation but also file criminal charges.
If you get hit by a careless driver, you need to have the best pedestrian accident lawyer. He will ensure that you get the necessary help and compensation for your injuries. Establishing fault is usually the most challenging part. An experienced pedestrian injury lawyer knows how to work with an investigator to find evidence.
If the driver that hit you is uninsured or underinsured, your pedestrian accident attorney can still help you. You won’t have to handle all the bills on your own. Your lawyer should have adequate knowledge to deal with the situation. That is why you need to carefully choose your pedestrian accident lawyer.
Should You Settle or File a Lawsuit through Pedestrian Accident Lawyer?
Once the driver is found liable for causing the accident, your pedestrian accident attorney will work on getting you compensation. This is a process that can take different directions depending on your Marietta, GA case. It is for this reason that you should strive to hire a pedestrian accident attorney as soon as you can. You need to give him adequate time to study the case and come up with an appropriate game plan.
After the crash, you have the option of settling out of court or filing a lawsuit. Both options have their advantages depending on what you need and your pedestrian accident lawyer’s advice. If you opt for an out of court settlement, your dedicated lawyer will see that you get the best compensation.
It is unlikely that the first offer from the insurance company will meet all your needs. That is why you need to listen to your pedestrian accident attorney. He knows just how much your claim is worth. In case the negotiations don’t go well, you can move to court. The best thing about filing a lawsuit is that you get to reap maximum benefits. However, this is subject to the evidence you have and how well your pedestrian accident lawyer presents your case.
When you file a lawsuit:
- The court may end up awarding you much more than the insurance company was offering.
- The liable driver may have to take care of your legal fees.
- Your lawyer may recommend that file criminal charges against the driver, especially if they were reckless.
- Your pedestrian accident attorney can request punitive damages. That increases your compensation amount and also punishes the driver.
- The insurance company may be motivated to make a better offer. This is beneficial since you don’t have to wait for the trial to run to completion to get compensation.
After evaluating your case, your pedestrian injury lawyer can advise whether a lawsuit is suitable for you. Therefore, you have to trust him entirely so that you can reap the best benefits.
How Does a Pedestrian Injury Lawyer Help in Pedestrian Crash Case?
Other than negotiating your settlement with the insurance company, your pedestrian accident attorney is beneficial in more ways. Here are some of the other functions of your pedestrian injury lawyer:
Getting Proof to Establish Liability
The police report will name the liable person in a pedestrian accident. However, you may need more proof, especially for a lawsuit. Your pedestrian accident attorney will hire a private investigator to gather more proof that shows how the driver is liable. It is also his responsibility to present this to court in a convincing way so that you get full compensation. Without a pedestrian accident lawyer present, you will have to rely on the police report as proof. Since the insurance company doesn’t want to pay you more, they will have their evidence to back up their claim. That means that you may end up with much less than you deserve.
Helping with Hit and Run Accidents
When the driver disappears after hitting you, your situation may seem hopeless. You may feel you don’t have anyone to file a claim against. However, a pedestrian accident attorney can find the hit and run driver through an investigator. You may not have the capacity to do this on your own. The situation may, therefore, seem worse than it is. When the lawyer finds the driver, he can argue your case in a way that gets you more compensation.
Advising on Uninsured Motorists
You may become concerned when you learn that the Marietta, GA driver that hit you is uninsured. This may mean that you won’t get compensated. However, a capable pedestrian injury lawyer can help you find a way out of the situation.
Consult Schneider Hammers Pedestrian Accident Lawyer about Your Pedestrian Compensation
If you get injuries in a pedestrian accident, your Marietta accident lawyer is the best option for obtaining compensation. He has extensive legal knowledge that will assist in ensuring that you get a great package. Contact Schneider Hammers and talk to our pedestrian accident attorneys about your case. We will let you know your options. We have done it before, and we can do it for you if you trust us.
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