Some of the worst traffic accidents in Atlanta involve pedestrians. Because pedestrians are open to the elements and have literally no additional protection, they often suffer traumatic injuries in such accidents. If you were injured as a pedestrian on the roads of Atlanta, you need to speak to an attorney immediately to know how to bring a claim against the at-fault driver. Personal injury laws in Georgia can be hard to navigate, and you may end up accepting the initial lowball offer from the insurance company because of the immediate financial strain. You can click here to get a free consultation with a seasoned lawyer. Here are some facts worth knowing.
Statute of limitations for pedestrian accidents
Every state has an upper time cap for filing injury lawsuits, which is defined by the statute of limitations. In Georgia, the deadline for filing a pedestrian accident lawsuit is two years. The clock starts ticking from the same day the accident happened, and these deadlines apply to only lawsuits filed in civil court. If you want to file a third-party insurance claim, you must do so at the earliest.
Fault in pedestrian accidents
It often happens that pedestrians are also responsible for accidents to an extent. In such circumstances, Georgia follows the modified comparative fault rule, which allows the pedestrian to file a lawsuit against the vehicle driver when their fault share doesn’t exceed the other. Also, your degree of fault will have an impact on your settlement, which will be adjusted accordingly.
Discover the role of your pedestrian accident lawyer
Hiring an attorney for your pedestrian accident claim or lawsuit is not compulsory. However, engaging an experienced lawyer has many benefits, and you can expect them to do the following –
- Evaluate what your injuries and losses are worth
- Determine the overall strength of your injury claim
- Initiate the claims process and complete necessary formalities
- Review the available evidence
- Investigate the pedestrian accident to find more details
- Gather all relevant statements from witnesses and experts
- Negotiate with the claims adjuster and discuss things on your behalf
- File a lawsuit when the case demands
With an attorney taking care of the above, you can use the time to focus on your healing and treatment. Most lawyers won’t demand a fee until you win, which is the norm for injury lawsuits in general. Also, you can expect the lawyer to offer credible support for other aspects.