Hasner Law | Pedestrian Accident | April 18, 2018
The health benefits of walking have attracted plenty of people recently, with everyone counting steps on the latest smartwatch or Fitbit. Not only is walking an important form of low-impact exercise that can help with weight control, the American Heart Association reports that walking briskly can also decrease the risk of diabetes, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, and high blood pressure.
An easy way for many busy Savannah residents to fit in a healthy walk is to walk to and from work. If you live a couple miles away from work, you may be ready to begin walking your commute, especially as the weather improves. However, although a walk is a healthy way to start your day, you should also appreciate the risks of walking near traffic.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 5,376 pedestrians died in traffic accidents in the United States in just one year. In addition, tens of thousands of pedestrians suffered injuries being hit by cars. Pedestrian accidents can happen anywhere—whether you are crossing the street in a crosswalk with a walk signal, or simply walking through a parking lot.
Routes to work often involve walking alongside roadways and crossing streets. Every time you are near traffic, you should be aware that a car may hit you. Many different factors cause auto accidents involving pedestrians, including:
- Distracted driving
- Not paying attention to walk signals or right-of-ways
- Fatigued driving
- Low visibility
- Drunk driving
- Aggressive driving and road rage
- Faulty traffic signals
Drivers often pay less attention to pedestrians than vehicles, even though pedestrians are extremely vulnerable to serious injuries. Pedestrians have no external protection from an impact with a heavy vehicle. As such, pedestrians commonly suffer severe injuries including:
- Broken or shattered bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Soft tissue tears, sprains, or strains
- Contusions and lacerations
When a car hits a person, any part of the body exposed to impact often sustains serious damage. To make matters worse, a pedestrian may have multiple points of impact with both the car and the pavement, resulting in multiple traumatic injuries. Some pedestrian injuries can be catastrophic, causing permanent disability, impairment, and even death.
If a negligent driver crashed into you while you were walking, you have the right to seek payment from that driver for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and any permanent impairments you suffered. This can often be accomplished by filing a claim with the driver’s insurer or by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the driver.
Call for a Free Initial Consultation With a Savannah Pedestrian Accident Lawyer at Hasner Law PC
The process of recovery, both physically and financially, is not easy after an accident. You should be focusing on your physical recovery, without the added stress of trying to handle the complicated and frustrating task of bringing claims against the driver who hit you and his or her insurance company. Let our Savannah personal injury attorneys evaluate your situation and handle your claim for you.
For more information, please contact the Savannah pedestrian accident law firm of Hasner Law P.C. at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve in Fulton County, Chatham County, and its surrounding areas:
Hasner Law PC – Atlanta Law Office
2839 Paces Ferry Rd SE #1050
Atlanta, GA 30339
(678) 888-4878
Hasner Law PC – Savannah Law Office
221 W York St
Savannah, GA 31401
(912) 234-2334
