Car manufacturers focus on improving features for vehicles through safer airbags, reliable seat belts, and crash avoidance technology. However, pedestrians just aren’t given that luxury. And if someone gets hit by a car, then their entire body will absorb that force of impact. In a collision between a pedestrian and car diver, the former is most likely to sustain injuries such as:
- Spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones
- Torn ligaments
- Internal bleeding
- Impalement
- Lacerations and wounds
- Nerve damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Who is liable in a pedestrian accident?
In many cases, it is the driver who is responsible for the pedestrian getting hit, not the other way around. Pedestrians typically have the right of way, and car drivers have a duty to watch out for them when approaching a red light, stop sign, yielding, or other maneuver. A driver who was violating the rules of the road moments before the accident happened may be liable for that victim’s injuries, damages, and other losses. Examples of ways that a driver may have been negligent include:
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving while exceeding the speed limit
- Driver while using a phone or other device
- Driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
- Driving in a reckless manner that endangered the safety of others
What is a pedestrian victim entitled to in compensation?
Pedestrians who were struck by a car driver probably required medical attention. In fact, they may have been ushered to the hospital for emergency care because their life was at stake. Injuries from being hit by a car tend to be severe and it’s rare for someone to actually walk away from such an incident unscathed. Victims may be eligible for compensation related to their medical treatments, rehabilitation, surgery, property damage, mental health, prescription medication, loss of wages, loss of future earning capacity, and other ways their lives have been tragically affected since the accident.
What will help me get fair restitution for what happened?
For any personal injury accident, there must be evidence that supports the victim’s claims. Without evidence, there isn’t much of a way to show that someone else was at-fault. As a personal injury lawyer Watkinsville, GA pedestrians trust from Norris Law can attest, it can help someone get fair restitution by having evidence such as:
- Photographs of the scene and visible injuries
- Shoes, pants, shirt, or other articles of clothing
- Medical documents for injuries
- The driver’s name, contact, and insurance company
- Witness statements who support your side of the story
- Street camera footage of the pedestrian accident
- Copy of the police report
- Expert testimonies from medical professionals
- Expert testimonies from accident reconstructionist
- Receipts for out-of-pocket expenses related to accident
Pedestrians are at a grave disadvantage if they get hit by a car. Drivers are often zipping around the road without consideration for the presence of pedestrians. So when these accidents occur, victims are advised to take the steps necessary to hold the at-fault driver responsible for the way they have suffered.