Macon Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Trusted and Dedicated Pedestrian Accident Lawyer, Macon, Georgia

Pedestrian accidents in Macon often result in serious consequences, given the vulnerability of pedestrians compared to motor vehicles. These accidents can occur due to various reasons, including distracted driving, failure to yield at crosswalks, or speeding.

Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. § 51-1-6, pedestrians injured due to another’s negligence, such as a driver’s failure to adhere to traffic laws, are entitled to seek compensation. This statute ensures that if someone’s careless actions result in your injury, they can be held accountable.

In terms of legal claims, Georgia’s O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33 applies the modified comparative negligence rule. This rule allows injured pedestrians to recover damages if they are less than 50% at fault for the accident. However, any compensation awarded is reduced by the pedestrian’s percentage of fault. Thus, accurately establishing fault and understanding the pedestrian’s own role in the accident is crucial for a successful claim.

Compensation in pedestrian accident cases can cover a range of damages, as outlined in O.C.G.A. § 51-12-4. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and more. However, per O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, there’s a two-year statute of limitations for filing personal injury lawsuits in Georgia, highlighting the importance of timely legal action following an accident.

Georgia has a reputation for being one of the most dangerous states for pedestrians. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, Georgia ranked #4 in pedestrian deaths in the nation for 2021, behind only California, Texas, and Florida. In all, 348 pedestrians died in Georgia. Thousands more people get injured each year in collisions with motor vehicles. Even worse, these statistics show no signs of improvement. Indeed, fatalities for 2021 were much higher than the numbers for previous years.

At the Wetherington Law Firm, P.C., we have assisted many injured pedestrians bring claims for compensation when they are hurt in accidents. You have a challenging road ahead of you. Contact us so we can bring a legal claim the correct way.

Why Pedestrian Accidents Happen in Macon

Pedestrian accidents are largely avoidable if everyone acts carefully. Nonetheless, we see pedestrian accidents stemming from:

• Negligent Drivers: A motorist is distracted by a phone or food and doesn’t see a pedestrian step into a crosswalk. Others make a right-on-red turn but fail to scan to see that the way is clear.
• Reckless Drivers: Alarmingly, far too many motorists speed through intersections before the light turns red, or they pass too closely to pedestrians.
• Poor Visibility: Fog, rain, and even darkness make it harder to see pedestrians.
• Negligent Pedestrians: Some pedestrians cause collisions because they try to rush across the crosswalk when signs tell them to stop.

Many pedestrians are unsure what happened. One moment they stepped into the crosswalk and the next they found themselves in pain and on their back. Our lawyers are adept at piecing together how an accident unfolded and identifying the fault for the collision.

How Can You Recover Compensation For Your Injuries?

If a negligent driver injured you, we can make a claim for compensation on the driver’s liability coverage. Generally, we seek compensation for:

• Medical treatment
• Future medical treatment
• Past and future lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

Estimating the value of a claim requires experience and legal knowledge. Our Macon pedestrian accident lawyers can review your injuries, including any pay stubs or medical bills. These documents help establish economic losses.

Non-economic losses like pain and suffering are different. Being pain-free is, admittedly, worth any amount of money. But an insurer is only likely to offer so much based on the severity of your injuries. This is one area where a skilled attorney makes a big difference.

We will collect evidence of your pain, emotional distress, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. We can then present a powerful case to an insurance adjuster that you deserve the maximum compensation allowed under the circumstances.

An Overview of Georgia’s Pedestrian Laws

The Georgia Code has multiple laws spelling out the duties of both motorists and pedestrians:

• Section 40-6-90: Pedestrians must obey all traffic control devices that apply to them, such as “Do Not Walk” signs.
• Section 40-6-91: Drivers must stop and let pedestrians cross within the crosswalk, and vehicles cannot overtake a stopped vehicle. Pedestrians also can’t suddenly run in front of a vehicle, even if they are in the crosswalk.
• Section 40-6-92: When pedestrians don’t use a crosswalk to cross, they must yield the right of way to vehicles on the road unless the pedestrian has already safely entered the road.
• Section 40-6-93: Motorists must use due care to avoid a collision with a pedestrian. This might include sounding their horn and being especially careful around children and the impaired.

These laws protect the orderly flow of traffic and pedestrians. Sadly, countless motorists ignore their duty to be careful.

Comparative Fault & Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian crashes are not always black and white. Sometimes, a pedestrian is also negligent or reckless. For example, a motorist might have been speeding down the road. But a pedestrian lunged into the road jaywalking.

Georgia recognizes comparative fault. An injured pedestrian can only sue if they are less than 50% responsible for the crash. If they go over that amount, a defendant can ask a judge to dismiss the case.

Even if you are less than 50% to blame, your compensation is reduced proportionally by your degree of fault. Here is an easy example: if your case is worth $50,000 but you are 20% at fault, you will receive $40,000 at most.

Georgia’s Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Accidents

Georgia’s statute of limitations lays out the maximum amount of time you have to bring a lawsuit for a personal injury. Under Georgia Code § 9-3-33, you have at most two years. The clock typically starts to run on the day you got struck and injured.

If you miss this deadline, then the defendant can ask the judge to dismiss your case. You won’t be able to receive compensation from this defendant.

Speak with a Macon Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

Our experienced injury attorneys at Wetherington Law Firm are ready to help any injured pedestrian. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss what happened. From our Macon office, we proudly represent victims of pedestrian accidents in Macon, Rutland, Bolingbroke, Griswoldville, Dry Branch, East Macon, Lizella, Byron, Elberta, Gray, and the surrounding areas.