Decatur Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Decatur Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Thousands of people walk through the busy metropolitan areas of the greater Decatur area every day, and most are able to reach their destinations safely. However, pedestrian accidents can happen in various ways, and it is vital to know what to do if you or a loved one experiences this type of accident. A Decatur pedestrian accident lawyer can help determine your most viable recovery options.

Compassionate Legal Counsel for Pedestrian Accident Claims in Decatur, GA

The attorneys at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm have many years of professional experience handling a wide range of personal injury claims for clients in Decatur and surrounding areas, including pedestrian accident claims. If you were hit by a driver, you have the right to seek compensation for your damages, and we are ready to assist you in recovering that compensation.

When you choose our firm to represent your pedestrian accident case in Decatur, you can rely on us to gather the evidence needed to establish fault for the accident. Once we have identified the driver responsible for the accident, we can then assist you in uncovering all the various forms of compensation you can seek with your claim. You may be entitled to a larger recovery than you initially expected, and our goal is to maximize your final case award.

You have a limited time in which to file your pedestrian accident claim, and it may take longer than you expect to build the foundation of your case. The sooner you connect with a Decatur pedestrian accident lawyer, the more likely you will be to succeed with your recovery efforts in an efficient manner.

Merritt & Merritt has successfully recovered more than $50 million in damages for our past clients, and we can put this experience to work for you.

Proving Liability for a Pedestrian Accident in Decatur, GA

The first legal challenge you will face in any personal injury claim is proving fault. You must identify the driver who caused your accident and prove exactly how they caused it before you can secure compensation for your damages. Once fault is proven, the next challenge in your case will be proving the full extent of the losses they caused.

Most of the pedestrian accidents reported throughout the greater Decatur area are the result of negligence, which is the failure to exercise reasonable care behind the wheel. Distracted driving, speeding, and traffic violations such as failure to yield the right-of-way are the most common examples of this.

A pedestrian accident may also occur as a result of illegal misconduct, such as intoxicated driving. In this case, the at-fault driver faces criminal charges as well as civil liability to the victim.

Your Decatur pedestrian accident lawyer can assist you in gathering all the evidence needed to establish liability for your accident, such as traffic camera footage, eyewitness statements, and various other forms of digital and physical evidence.

It’s important to note that if you are found partially at fault, you will lose a portion of your case award under the state’s modified comparative fault rule.

For an Immediate Consultation call us at 404-975-1775

Claiming Compensation for a Pedestrian Accident in Decatur, GA

Recovering from any vehicle accident in Decatur is likely to begin with an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver. State law requires all drivers to have auto insurance that meets basic coverage requirements, and this insurance applies to any accident a driver causes. However, the driver who hit you may not have insurance, or their insurance may not fully cover your losses.

Your Decatur pedestrian accident lawyer can help navigate the insurance claim filing process and resolve any problems you encounter with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. While most insurance companies process claims in good faith, there is always a chance that you will encounter unexpected complications that you will not be able to resolve on your own. After securing as much as you can through insurance, the next option for recovery is a civil suit.

Under the state’s personal injury statutes, the defendant in a pedestrian accident case is liable for any economic damages they caused a plaintiff to incur. In your impending case, your claimable economic damages are likely to include medical expenses and lost wages.

The defendant will be liable for any medical care you need to fully recover from your injuries, including the cost of necessary future treatments you may need for a severe injury.

Similarly, the defendant is not only liable for your lost wages following the accident but also for the future income you are no longer able to earn if the accident left you permanently disabled. If your earning power has been diminished due to the defendant’s actions, your Decatur pedestrian accident lawyer can help calculate the future income you otherwise would have reasonably expected to earn and add this to your claim.

In addition to your economic losses, you also have the right to claim pain and suffering compensation. State law does not limit the amount you can claim, so you have the right to seek whatever amount you believe reasonably reflects the overall severity of the harm the defendant caused. The more serious your injuries, the more you can likely recover in pain and suffering compensation.

Pedestrian Rights and Road Safety Laws

Walking through Decatur should feel safe. Streets, sidewalks, and crosswalks are meant to protect pedestrians. Georgia law gives people on foot important protections. Drivers must yield at marked crosswalks and be careful in areas with frequent pedestrian traffic. Unfortunately, accidents happen when drivers speed, text, or fail to notice people crossing. These moments can turn an ordinary walk into a life-changing event. Knowing your rights as a pedestrian is important if you are ever hit by a vehicle. Our team works to make the law support you. We focus on holding negligent drivers fully accountable for the harm they cause.

Determining Fault in Vehicle-Pedestrian Accidents

Figuring out who caused an accident is not always simple. Drivers are often at fault for speeding, running lights, or failing to yield. But insurance companies sometimes try to put part of the blame on the pedestrian. They may argue that you were not in a crosswalk or were distracted. Georgia follows comparative negligence rules. This means any claim of shared responsibility can reduce your compensation. Our attorneys understand these tactics. We gather evidence, work with accident reconstruction experts, and build strong cases showing the driver’s actions were the main cause of your injuries.

Evidence Collection and Witness Statements

Collecting evidence quickly can make a big difference in a pedestrian accident case. Police reports, medical records, and photos of the scene all provide clear facts about what happened. Witness statements are especially important. Neutral observers can confirm if the driver ignored signals, failed to stop, or was distracted. We move fast to preserve all available evidence. Our team works with investigators and, if needed, expert witnesses who can recreate the accident scene. These steps help demonstrate exactly how the driver caused your injuries and support your claim for recovery.

Insurance Coverage and Compensation Strategies According to a Decatur Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian accidents can be devastating to victims. In just one single split second, you or your loved one can have your lives forever changed. In today’s world, where people are driving bigger SUVs and trucks with more powerful engines than ever before, even a seemingly minor collision with a pedestrian can result in injuries such as broken bones and traumatic brain injuries. This can lead to expensive medical bills that serve to only add on to the emotional distress you feel. Insurance companies know exactly how you feel. Unfortunately, they often try to use that against you. They may use unethical high-pressure tactics to minimize the pain and suffering, all to force you to accept a low ball settlement offer.

Our job is to make sure you are not left paying for someone else’s negligence. We review all insurance policies, including the driver’s liability coverage and any personal policies you may have. Then we create strategies to pursue full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and ongoing care needs. If needed, we are ready to take your case to court to protect your rights and ensure your voice is heard.

Resolve Your Pedestrian Accident Claim With Confidence

The right attorney on your side can make recovery from your recent pedestrian accident much easier, and you will be more likely to maximize your total compensation with their help. When you choose the team at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm to represent your case, you are investing in years of professional experience and a dedicated legal advocate ready to provide guidance through all stages of your case.

We take personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so there is no risk of paying more for your legal fees than you win in compensation for your damages. Our fee will be a percentage of your final case award, and we will only collect this fee if we win your case.

The sooner you connect with our firm, the more time we have to build your case, so contact Merritt & Merritt today to schedule a free consultation with a Decatur pedestrian accident lawyer.

Decatur Pedestrian Accident Resources

• Decatur Police Department
  420 West Trinity Place
  Decatur, GA 30030
  Phone: (404) 373-6551
• Decatur Health Department
  DeKalb County, 445 Winn Way
  Decatur, GA 30030
  Phone: (404) 294-3857