Albany Pedestrian Accident Injury Lawyers

Hit-By-Car Accident Injury & Wrongful Death Lawyers Serving Albany

Insurance Companies Are Not On Your Side After an Accident

Their priority is profit. Our priority is you.

When a pedestrian is struck down by a motorist in Albany, the result can be the type of serious injury that permanently impacts one’s life and can even prove fatal. Insurance companies often try to blame a pedestrian for causing such accidents based on such grounds as the “the darting child”, “jaywalking” or “failure to cross at the crosswalk.” The reality is that a pedestrian may often recover for injuries suffered when hit by a motor vehicle even if the pedestrian is found to be partially responsible for the accident. Given the devastating types of injuries that are common in Albany pedestrian accidents, it is important to seek legal representation as soon as possible from an experienced Albany pedestrian accident attorney.

All drivers have a duty to exercise ordinary care to avoid running over or striking pedestrians with a motor vehicle. This duty includes engaging in prudent driving practices and observing traffic safety laws. When drivers fail to exercise caution in areas where pedestrians are present, such as residential neighborhoods and school zones, the consequences can be devastating injuries for pedestrians. Motorists must comply with traffic safety laws and yield to pedestrians.

Finding Fault in a Pedestrian Wreck

When a driver hits a pedestrian, the biggest question is often who is at fault for the crash. Fault is generally determined by the laws of negligence, set out in O.C.G.A. 51-11-7, which requires that a plaintiff prove the defendant was more than 50 percent at fault for the accident. In the event of a pedestrian accident, fault will be thoroughly investigated based on the actions and behavior of the driver of the car as well as the pedestrian. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, you should contact an attorney at Montlick as soon as possible. Our attorneys can examine the facts and circumstances of what occurred as well as advise you on the necessary steps to protect your legal rights.

Pedestrian Accidents Are On the Rise

The Governors Highway Safety Association projects a nearly ten percent spike in pedestrian fatalities in 2015. In just the first six months of 2015, over 2,300 pedestrians were tragically killed in accidents nationwide. Factors contributing to this jump in pedestrian deaths could include:

• More cars on the road: As the economy has improved in recent years and more Americans can now afford vehicles, the number of cars on the road have increased. More cars on the road mean a higher likelihood of pedestrian-related accidents.
• More pedestrians: As a whole, our country has become more environmentally-oriented and health-focused. This means incorporating more walking into daily patterns and with more pedestrians traveling along roadways and crossing streets, the potential for fatal pedestrian accidents also increases.
• Smartphones: In the past few years, smartphones have become ubiquitous in our landscape. Unfortunately, many people often use their phones while driving, despite a great deal of public awareness surrounding the dangers of doing so. Distracted drivers are a common cause of pedestrian and other accidents, but pedestrians also place themselves at risk when they walk while using their smartphones. Remaining vigilant as you walk is an important safety precaution to incorporate in your daily walks.