Athens
Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Walkers, runners, and hikers have little protection on Athens roads. When an accident happens, the injuries can be terrible, even fatal. If you or a loved one were injured, you should to a pedestrian accident attorney serving Athens.

John Foy & Associates can help you and your family. We have been winning injury claims for over 20 years, and we’re not afraid of complicated cases. Contact us today for a free, no-risk consultation at (404) 400-4000 or reach us online.

How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Pedestrian Accident?

Every settlement is different. Yours will depend on these critical factors:

Severity of Injuries

The extent of your injuries is the most crucial factor. A personal injury claim centers around the physical injuries you’ve suffered.

More severe injuries will lead to more “damages.” Your damages are your losses resulting from the accident. When seeking a settlement, you’ll add up your damages to determine the compensation you deserve.

If you suffered serious physical damage from the accident, your potential compensation will be more significant.

Types of Medical Treatment

More significant injuries require lengthy medical treatment. Your treatment types and timeline help decide what money you can recover.  

You’ll need to document all of your medical treatment, including:

• Doctor visits
• Hospitalizations
• Surgeries
• Blood and imaging tests
• Prescription and over-the-counter medicines
• Physical therapy or rehabilitation

You’ll also need to consider future medical costs. If you will need long-term treatment, your injury claim should reflect that. Without considering future expenses, you could end up paying out-of-pocket down the road.

Missed Work Time

You will probably need to be away from work because of your injuries. If so, you can claim any lost wages because of the accident.

Your claim should seek reimbursement for missed income. That income also includes bonuses, raises, and paid time off.

Future Earning Ability

Severe injuries can prevent you from working as you could before. If you’re forced to change jobs, work less, or take on a lower-paying job, you can claim that as lost earning capacity.

Changes to Your Daily Life

Pedestrian accidents can lead to life-changing injuries. The crash might impact your daily life and emotional health in significant ways. Thankfully, you can account for these losses.

Pain and suffering damages are non-economical. In other words, there is no set value for pain and suffering. You’ll need to work with an attorney who can calculate your emotional injuries.

Permanent Injuries

Some physical damage never fully recovers. If you have permanent or long-term injuries, that will raise your settlement value a lot.

Percentage of Fault

The driver is usually entirely at fault in a pedestrian accident. But if there’s a chance you were partially at fault, that will affect your compensation.

Be careful not to discuss fault with anyone but your lawyer. The driver or their insurance company will look for ways to blame you, even if you’re not responsible. Protect your legal rights by not admitting fault without talking to your attorney first.

Damage Limits

Some states have caps on how much compensation you can receive. Thankfully, Georgia does not put limits on personal injury damages.

As you can see, settlements are unique to each case. The only way to know for sure what to expect is by talking to a lawyer. Speak with a pedestrian accident lawyer serving Athens as soon as possible.

At John Foy & Associates, we’ll help value your case and fight for what you deserve. To learn more about your options, reach out for a free consultation.

Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer for a Pedestrian Crash?

Most of the time, you’ll need a lawyer for a successful case. Pedestrian accidents are often extreme and require experienced legal help. Even if your crash was minor, it’s best to speak with an attorney who can guide you through the process.

You likely need a lawyer because:

You Have Limited Time to Spend on Your Claim

The aftermath of an accident is painful, costly, and overwhelming. Although it’s your right to represent yourself, most accident victims don’t have the time or energy. You’ll need to focus on recovering, both physically and mentally.

Your lawyer will handle the legal side of things while you heal. They will build your case through actions like:

• Speaking to witnesses
• Gathering police reports
• Working with experts
• Compiling proof of damages

An experienced attorney will also handle dealings with the insurance company. You can spend time recovering and being with family instead of stressing about the legal process.

The Insurance Company Won’t Make a Fair Offer

Pedestrian accidents are often fatal, and they’re increasing. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pedestrian deaths increased by over 3% in 2018. Yet still, insurance companies rarely take these crashes seriously.

The insurance company will probably send you a meager settlement offer. It might even seem like a large lump sum, but you should consider all of your damages. Insurers routinely send small first offers, hoping victims will take them.

Here’s the truth: The first offer is never enough. Insurers send a small amount on purpose to reduce their costs. Before you accept any money, talk to a trusted lawyer about the compensation you deserve. Your lawyer will know how to negotiate for a settlement that covers all of your costs.

You’ll Have the Best Chance of a Successful Case

Without advice from a lawyer, you’re entering your legal case partially blind. An accident victim can’t know enough about personal injury law to build a solid claim alone. If you want to seek the best outcome possible, you’ll need to consult an attorney.

Most pedestrian accident claims settle outside of court. However, some cases need to go to trial for the victim to win fairly. Either way, you’re more likely to get a good result if you talk to an attorney first.

How Long do You Have to File a Case?

You have limited time to seek compensation after your accident. According to OCGA §9-3-33, you have two years to file a lawsuit in Georgia. If you miss the window to file, you’ll be unable to recover anything.

The sooner you get started on your case, the better it will be for your chances. Thankfully, you can kickstart things today by speaking with a pedestrian accident attorney. Your lawyer will start building your claim and protecting your rights.

At John Foy & Associates, we know what it takes to build strong claims. We’ll handle your case from start to finish, and we’re not afraid to stand up to the insurance companies. We also will not charge you a fee unless we win you money.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer serving Athens

Schedule a free consultation with a trusted attorney today. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for your free consultation.