Georgia Pedestrian Accident Laws

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 5,000 pedestrian fatalities are reported in motor vehicle accidents, with more than 78,000 pedestrians suffering injuries. In addition to motor vehicle accidents, pedestrians can face injuries due to sidewalk defects, improper property maintenance, or construction debris on public walkways.

If you have suffered a pedestrian-related injury due to a vehicle or property defect, contact The Law Office of J. Lee Webb. Our experienced lawyers can assist you in recovering damages from the negligent party for sustained injuries.

The legal definition of negligence is the failure to act in a way to prevent others from foreseeable risks. In order to show negligence, the injured party must prove that the person at fault: (1) had a legal duty to the plaintiff under the specific circumstances, (2) failed to fulfill that duty, (3) caused an accident involving the plaintiff, (4) injured or harmed the victim as a result of the accident.

There may be more than one party at fault for the pedestrian injury. Potential liability may fall with the party responsible for maintaining the walkway, roadway, or parking lot where the injury occurs. It could be the fault of an automobile driver, or even the individual pedestrian himself or herself.

Drivers and pedestrians are both responsible for exercising reasonable care and adhering to laws of the road. In some cases, it is obvious who the negligent party is. In others, the facts are not so obvious. The court looks at all of the circumstances of the accident to determine who is at fault. Therefore, it is critical for you to have proper expert representation in stating your case.

Drivers are required to exercise reasonable care while operating a motor vehicle. Driver negligence may be caused by inattentive drivers, failure to observe the speed limit, failure to yield to pedestrians at cross walks, failure to signal while turning, disobeying traffic signs, talking or texting while driving, or driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

Pedestrians are also responsible for exercising care. Causes of pedestrian negligence include ignoring the walk signal at traffic lights, failure to use marked cross walks, and darting in front of moving vehicles.

If you have questions regarding Georgia pedestrian accident laws, contact The Law Office of J. Lee Webb. Our skilled attorneys are on hand to discuss your case and the possibility of compensation for your injuries.