Hit by a Car as a Pedestrian: What You Need to Know Right Now
Getting hit by a car as a pedestrian can cause serious injuries, high medical bills, and emotional distress. The moments after a pedestrian accident are confusing and painful, but what you do next can affect your recovery and your legal rights. Georgia law protects injured pedestrians and allows them to seek compensation from the at-fault driver.
In this blog, you’ll learn the steps to take after being hit by a car as a pedestrian, what Georgia law says about your rights, and how working with an experienced Sandy Springs pedestrian accident lawyer can help you recover full compensation for your injuries.
First Steps After You’re Hit by a Car as a Pedestrian
If you are hit by a car as a pedestrian, your next actions can affect your health, safety, and ability to recover compensation. These first steps are critical for building a strong pedestrian accident claim.
Call 911 Immediately
Dial 911. Ask for emergency medical help and a police officer. A police report creates an official record of the pedestrian accident. Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-273), accidents with injuries must be reported to law enforcement.
Get Medical Attention Right Away
Do not assume you are uninjured. Internal bleeding, head injuries, or fractures may not be visible. Tell the paramedics about every symptom. Visit a hospital or urgent care the same day. Medical records are key evidence in any personal injury claim.
Exchange Information with the Driver
Get the driver’s full name, license plate, contact number, and car insurance policy details. Stay calm and do not argue. Avoid discussing fault. Give your information to the responding officer as well.
Collect Evidence from the Scene
Use your phone to take clear photos of the vehicle, damage, visible injuries, traffic signals, road markings, and surroundings. Ask witnesses for statements and contact details. Strong evidence supports your claim and shows the driver’s negligence.
Do Not Talk to the Insurance Company Yet
The driver’s insurance company may contact you quickly. Do not give a recorded statement. Do not accept any offers. Speak to a Sandy Springs pedestrian accident lawyer first. Insurance adjusters aim to reduce payouts.
Follow All Medical Advice
Go to follow-up appointments. Complete any physical therapy or treatment plans. Keep records of all medical bills, prescriptions, and time missed from work. This information helps calculate compensation for serious injuries and other expenses.
Understand Your Legal Rights Under Georgia Law
If you were hit by a car as a pedestrian in Georgia, you have specific legal rights that protect you and allow you to recover compensation for your injuries and losses.
Georgia Follows a Fault-Based System
In Georgia, the at-fault driver is responsible for covering damages. If the driver’s negligence caused the pedestrian accident, their car insurance policy must pay for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. This system is known as fault-based liability.
Statute of Limitations for Filing a Claim
You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Georgia. This deadline is set by O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Missing this deadline can bar you from recovering any compensation.
You Can Recover Multiple Types of Damages
As an injured pedestrian, you may be eligible to recover money for medical bills, physical therapy, lost income, emotional distress, and other expenses. A Sandy Springs pedestrian accident attorney can help you understand the full value of your personal injury claim.
Pedestrians Have Legal Protections
Drivers must use reasonable care and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, parking lots, and intersections. Failing to follow Georgia traffic laws or ignoring traffic signals can prove the driver’s negligence. A police report, witness statements, and medical records can help establish fault.
Insurance Companies Will Try to Limit Payouts
The driver’s insurance company may offer a quick settlement or deny fault. These tactics are common in pedestrian car accident claims. Speaking with a Sandy Springs pedestrian accident lawyer before giving a statement protects your legal rights and strengthens your case.
Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians often suffer serious injuries when struck by a vehicle due to the lack of physical protection. These injuries can lead to long-term medical treatment and significant financial stress.
Head Injuries and Brain Trauma
Head injuries are common when a pedestrian is hit by a car. Victims may suffer concussions, skull fractures, or traumatic brain injuries. These injuries can affect memory, speech, balance, and behavior. Immediate medical attention is critical.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Fractures often occur in the legs, arms, ribs, or pelvis. Some pedestrian injuries require surgery, casting, or months of physical therapy. Broken bones are painful and can limit movement for weeks or months.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A pedestrian car accident can damage the spine or neck. Victims may experience herniated discs, nerve damage, or, in severe cases, paralysis. Spinal injuries require long-term care and can change a person’s daily life.
Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage
The force of a car accident can cause internal bleeding or damage to organs. These injuries are life-threatening and may not show symptoms right away. Diagnostic tests are often needed to detect the problem.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Torn ligaments, muscle damage, and joint injuries are also common in pedestrian crashes. These injuries may not seem serious at first, but can lead to chronic pain and limited mobility if left untreated.
Psychological and Emotional Distress
Pedestrian accident victims often face emotional trauma. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are common. Mental health support may be needed along with physical recovery.
Injuries in Children and Older Adults
Children and elderly pedestrians are more likely to suffer severe injuries due to physical vulnerability. Drivers must exercise extra caution in school zones, parking lots, and residential areas where many pedestrians are present.
Seeking Compensation for Your Injuries
If you were hit by a car as a pedestrian, you may be able to recover money for the harm you suffered. Georgia law gives injured pedestrians the right to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver.
Types of Damages You Can Recover
You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Other recoverable damages include emotional distress, physical therapy costs, and future medical treatment. A personal injury claim can also cover property damage and other expenses linked to the accident.
Proving the Driver Was Negligent
To recover compensation, you must prove the driver failed to use reasonable care. Running a red light, distracted driving, or ignoring traffic laws are signs of negligence. Evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and medical records can support your claim.
The Role of Insurance Companies
The driver’s insurance company will try to reduce what they pay. They may dispute fault or offer a low settlement. Insurance adjusters work to protect the insurer, not the accident victim. Do not speak to them without first talking to a Sandy Springs pedestrian accident attorney.
Why Legal Help Improves Your Case
An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can gather evidence, handle the insurance company, and file a personal injury lawsuit if needed. Legal support improves your chances of recovering full compensation for serious injuries and long-term losses.
Keep Records of All Accident-Related Costs
Save all receipts, medical bills, pay stubs, and notes from doctors. These records help calculate your total damages. Detailed documentation strengthens your pedestrian accident claim and supports your right to fair compensation.
Contact an Experienced Sandy Springs Pedestrian Accident Attorney Today!
If you have been hit by a car as a pedestrian, do not wait to get the legal help you need. The consequences of a pedestrian accident can be physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelming. Our team at 1Georgia Personal Injury Lawyers understands what injured pedestrians face and how to build a strong personal injury claim.
Contact us at (800) 800-8000 for a free consultation today!
