When a negligent motorist hits an innocent pedestrian, the results are almost always catastrophic. Pedestrians have basically no protection in a collision with a vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds. They are likely to suffer severe if not fatal injuries.
Everyone has a duty to share the road responsibly regardless of whether you are a driver, cyclist, or pedestrian. People driving larger, heavier vehicles have a particular obligation to think of others and act responsibly behind the wheel. Unfortunately, drivers too often fail to live up to their duty.
The Douglasville injury lawyers of the law firm of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., have protected the rights of pedestrians in our community for decades. If you were legally walking along the road, down the sidewalk, or through a parking lot, and you were hurt due to a negligent motorist, call or reach us online to take advantage of a free consultation. We can discuss your rights and help you to explore your options.
What Should You Do If You Are Injured in a Pedestrian-Car Collision?
If you are involved in a pedestrian accident, you want to make sure that you get medical attention as soon as you can. Even if you do not think that you were harmed, it is still wise to go to a hospital in order to be sure. A doctor will know how to examine you and order tests in order to determine your injuries. Also, getting timely medical attention and establishing a record will be important for your injury claim.
Additionally, you should try to take pictures yourself or ask somebody else to take pictures of you, the vehicle, and the accident scene. You should also look for people who may have seen your accident and get their names and phone numbers in case the insurance company disputes your version of events, and you need witnesses to support your claim.
The insurance company for the negligent driver will more than likely contact you after the collision. You should avoid speaking to the insurer. Tell the insurer to talk with your lawyer instead.
From the moment you start talking, the insurer will look for ways to deny or minimize your compensation. The insurer may try to convince you to give a recorded statement or even offer you a settlement to quickly resolve your case. The settlement may sound attractive. Still, upon closer examination, you and your lawyer may likely find that it fails to fully and fairly compensate you.
You are right to want everything you are entitled to receive. An experienced personal injury attorney at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. will know how to pursue that compensation for you. The lawyer will be able to accurately gauge the true value of your case and seek the maximum recovery for you.
What Are Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents?
Our attorneys at the law firm of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. have seen first-hand the catastrophic injuries that victims suffer in motorist-pedestrian accidents. In some cases, a pedestrian may share some blame for an accident. However, the unfortunate fact is that the majority of pedestrian accidents result from a driver’s speeding, aggressive driving, texting while driving, failure to see the pedestrian or other careless or reckless behavior.
Some of the most common types of injuries which pedestrians suffer in these tragic accidents include:
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Sprains
- Lacerations
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Paralysis
- Muscle strains
- Fractures (broken bones)
- Internal organ injuries
These injuries don’t just cause extensive pain and anguish. They often lead to overwhelming medical expenses that most normal people are not prepared to handle. The cost of treatment and recovery can often be impossible to manage without fair compensation from the party responsible for the accident.