Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian Accident in Atlanta, GA

When two cars collide, even at relatively high speeds, the occupants of those cars are reasonably safe. Passenger vehicles of similar sizes spread the damage pretty evenly, and most cars have a suite of safety features that prioritize the health of the occupants over the car.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said when a car and a pedestrian collide. The average car weighs about two tons and can move much faster than a pedestrian. This difference in weight and speed causes catastrophic injuries to the pedestrian in almost all accidents.

If you or a loved one suffers a catastrophic injury in a pedestrian accident, you may feel overwhelmed with hospital bills, insurance red tape, and recovery. At Seay/Felton LLC Trial Attorneys, we help people like you get the compensation they need with as little hassle as possible. Contact us today to learn more.

How Seay/Felton LLC Trial Attorneys Help

Most people don’t realize that victims of accidents only have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Georgia. If you wait longer than that, your case will typically be dismissed unless one of a few exceptions apply.

That may seem like a long time, but it can pass in the blink of an eye if you have suffered a catastrophic injury. The recovery time for catastrophic injuries is often measured in decades. And the first few years are the most painful and difficult part of that recovery.

Many people miss the deadline because they are too focused on recovery to take legal action. With one of our pedestrian accident attorneys representing you, that deadline will never be missed.

We handle every aspect of your case while you focus on recovery. Our lawyers understand your condition and know that the last thing you need is stress or bureaucracy.

Getting Started

At Seay/Felton LLC Trial Attorneys, we have a passionate devotion to our community. We want to get you as much compensation as the law allows. And the best way to get started is to act quickly once you retain us.

Our attorneys will examine your case from every angle. Our results prove that creative approaches to catastrophic injury lawsuits are most likely to get results. So we look at every legal angle and try to find the best way to tackle your case, even if it isn’t a traditional approach.

While you heal, our lawyers will collect as much evidence as possible to support your claim. And even though we will keep you informed, we’ll do our best to use as little of your time as possible. That lets you focus on recovering from your injuries.

When we do need to talk, we’ll use whatever form of communication is most convenient for you. We’ll even visit you in the hospital or at home if you can’t safely move. That is the least we can do to help our community.

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Why Do Pedestrian Injuries Happen?

Drivers hit pedestrians for all sorts of reasons, even when you’re just crossing with the right of way. It doesn’t make sense, but knowing the “why” behind these crashes lets your pedestrian injury lawyer in Atlanta piece together a rock-solid case, proving fault and maximizing your compensation.

• Failure to Yield: This one's common drivers blowing past marked crosswalks or intersections, ignoring your walk signal. It's a straight-up traffic violation and one of the top culprits in busy urban spots in Atlanta.
• Distracted Driving: A quick glance at your phone for a text, fiddling with GPS, chatting on a call, or even switching songs can pull eyes off the road just long enough for disaster. Distractions turn split seconds into lifetime regrets.
• Speeding: Getting hit at 30 mph versus 15 mph, and the injuries skyrocket from bad to catastrophic.
• Reckless or Aggressive Driving: Think running a red light, wild lane changes, or tailgating in heavy traffic. These selfish moves put pedestrians like you in the crosshairs every day on Atlanta streets.
• Poor Visibility: Nighttime drives, rain-slicked roads, or dimly lit areas without proper pedestrian signals make it tough for drivers to spot you. We've seen too many cases where better lighting could've prevented the whole nightmare.

Spotting these factors early helps us fight harder for the compensation you deserve.

Obtaining Compensation

Typically, we recover compensation through negotiated settlements. This may not always get you the most money possible, but it gets you the money quickly when you need it most. And due to our experience with these types of cases, we will never settle for less than a fair amount of money.

How much can a settlement be worth? That depends on the case. We regularly get multi-million dollar settlements and recently obtained a $20 million settlement. Settling a case doesn’t mean you are settling for less than you deserve.

But just because we usually settle doesn’t mean we can’t handle a trial. The reason we consistently get such high awards is that insurance companies know the quality of our trial work. Our attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience and have successfully won seven-digit verdicts at trial.

What are the Types of Damages You May Recover?

If a negligent driver hits you, your pedestrian accident lawyer in Atlanta can fight for various types of compensation:

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover financial losses such as:

• Medical bills now and in the future
• Prescription medications
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Transportation costs for medical appointments

Non‑Economic Damages

These compensate for more personal effects:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Permanent disability

Punitive Damages

In rare cases where the driver’s conduct was especially reckless such as DUI or gross negligence, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and discourage similar behavior.

Wrongful Death in Pedestrian Accidents

If you lost a loved one in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. Compensation in these cases can include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship
• Pain and suffering endured by the deceased before death

Your attorney can guide you through this process with compassion and expertise.

What to Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident

If you or a loved one has been hit by a vehicle in Atlanta, your actions in the hours and days after the accident can affect both your health and your legal case. Here’s what to do:

• Call 911 and Report the Crash: You need a police report. Law enforcement documenting the scene ensures that key details are preserved and provides an official record of the incident.
• Get Medical Attention Right Away: Even if your injuries seem minor, it’s important to see a doctor. Some injuries don’t show symptoms immediately, and having a medical record is crucial to any future claim.
• Document the Scene: If you are able, take photos of the scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and your injuries. These visual records can help your Atlanta pedestrian accident attorney reconstruct what happened.
• Collect Contact Information: Get names and phone numbers for all drivers, witnesses, and any first responders who arrive at the scene.
• Avoid Speaking Directly to Adjusters: Insurance companies will try to get recorded statements as soon as possible. These statements can harm your case if they contain errors or minimize the severity of your injuries. It’s best to let your lawyer handle communication.

Pedestrians and Fault

One of the main advantages you will have in a pedestrian injury claim is that pedestrians are rarely at fault in accidents. The driver of a car has a greater duty of care than pedestrians. This means they are usually over 50% at fault in a pedestrian accident.

This particularly matters in Georgia, where a party who is 50% or more at fault can’t sue other parties. It also matters because your percentage of fault is deducted from any awards you receive.

Thankfully, even when pedestrians violate the law, they are likely only partially responsible for the injuries they suffer. Jaywalking, for example, usually won’t result in a pedestrian being 50% responsible. Only blatantly dangerous actions like jumping in front of a car without warning usually make it impossible to get compensation.

The insurance company will try to push the blame on you, but our attorneys are adept at proving otherwise. And in the rare situation where we can’t get you compensation, we won’t charge you for our services.

Common Injuries After a Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrians are some of the most vulnerable people out on the roads. Getting hit by a car while you’re just walking can cause these terrible, life-altering injuries that nobody deserves. From what we’ve seen in pedestrian cases around Atlanta, the injuries that are the most recurring are brutal:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), think concussions that leave your head foggy for weeks, or worse, serious damage that changes everything.
• Spinal cord injuries often mean permanent paralysis or lifelong struggles.
• Broken bones and fractures pretty much anywhere, such as your arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
• Internal injuries, like damaged organs, stay hidden and turn deadly without quick treatment.
• Soft tissue stuff, from torn ligaments to strains that make moving pure torture.
• Road rash and gashes from scraping across pavement leave ugly scars that take forever to heal.
• Amputations or crush injuries in those high-speed horrors, where limbs just don't make it.
• The mental side too: anxiety, PTSD, or depression that sticks around long after your body starts mending.

These aren’t quick recoveries. They can mean months or years of doctors, therapy, rehab, and just trying to feel normal again. That’s exactly why you need an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer in Atlanta. We’ll walk you through how your injuries play into the case and battle for every bit of compensation you deserve.

Pedestrian Safety Tips for Atlanta Walkers

While legal help is vital after a crash, preventing accidents is equally important. These safety practices can reduce your risk as a pedestrian in Atlanta:

• Always use marked crosswalks when available
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing
• Stay alert and avoid using headphones or phone use near traffic
• Wear visible clothing at night
• Walk on sidewalks whenever possible

Understanding both your rights and how accidents happen improves your safety and strengthens your case if a crash occurs.

Why You Should Talk to a Pedestrian Injury Lawyer in Atlanta Early

Waiting to speak with an attorney can harm your case. Here’s why early legal help matters:

• Evidence disappears such as surveillance footage may be overwritten, and witnesses may forget details over time.
• Insurance companies move fast to protect their own interests. A lawyer can preserve your rights.
• Deadline risks because Georgia’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years, and exceptions are rare.

An experienced attorney can help identify all potentially liable parties, whether it’s the driver, a negligent property owner, or another responsible entity that contributed to the accident.

Proven Success: Our Results Speak For Themselves

One of the key attributes of our firm is our extensive track record of achieving favorable settlements and successful case outcomes for our valued clients. We fully understand the substantial financial and emotional challenges that often accompany personal injuries. Our primary commitment is to secure the compensation essential to assist you on your path to rebuilding your life.

WE OBTAINED $1,500,000 FOR OUR CLIENT

We represented a family who lost their mother when unsecured metal pipes fell off the back of a truck as it traveled on a major highway. The pipes struck our client in the head and she later died at the hospital from severe head injuries.

WE OBTAINED $810,000 FOR OUR CLIENT

Our client suffered severe injuries when a poorly trained sanitation truck driver negligently backed over him. Through diligent discovery processes, we uncovered that the driver had failed to adhere to the company’s written policies and procedures on operating the truck in areas with pedestrian traffic.

 

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Contact Our Law Firm Today

Pedestrian injuries are a tragedy that usually involves a driver being negligent. While we can’t restore your health or undo the pain you suffered, our attorneys are dedicated to helping you recover as quickly as possible. To learn more about your legal options, contact Seay/Felton LLC Trial Attorneys for a free consultation today.