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Dalton boasts many idyllic areas suitable for walking. Students walk for transportation near Dalton College, and because the population in Dalton consists predominantly of young people, walking is common. Unfortunately, so are accidents involving pedestrians and inattentive drivers.
Pedestrian accidents often result in serious injuries because an unprotected person is no match for tons of metal careening out of control. What begins as a leisurely day exploring Dalton on foot can end in catastrophic injuries, made more traumatic if the motorist who hit you acted carelessly.
When you are struck by a negligent driver, our dedicated personal injury attorneys are prepared to help you seek comprehensive compensation. A Dalton pedestrian accident lawyer could negotiate with insurers or fight in court for a fair settlement.
Motorists are expected to abide by traffic laws and use common sense to operate their vehicles as any responsible driver would in a similar situation. If they do not hold themselves to that standard, they can cause accidents. If a pedestrian is injured because of a motorist’s recklessness, the pedestrian should be compensated for their losses by the at-fault driver or the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Motorists commonly cause pedestrian accidents in Dalton by:
Damages in these situations are often catastrophic, resulting in:
Medical bills and time missed from work will impact an injured pedestrian financially and physically. A capable and aggressive attorney can fight for a fair settlement or damages award after a pedestrian accident in Dalton.
Georgia is an at-fault state—as opposed to no-fault, when determining who pays for an accident. At-fault means the victim will be compensated by the at-fault driver or their insurer if a personal injury lawsuit is filed.
Georgia requires motorists to carry at least $25,000 bodily injury insurance per person and $50,000 per accident. Drivers must also be insured for at least $25,000 in liability insurance for property damage. Many insurance companies ignore attorneys’ demand letters for a fair settlement or make low settlement offers that often do not adequately pay for the losses the injured party suffers. They attempt to minimize the damage hoping the injured party will need the money immediately and accept a low offer. Injured parties should not accept an insurance settlement offer until a knowledgeable Dalton pedestrian accident attorney reviews it.
When insurance settlement talks break down, a proactive attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit based on negligence. Once defendant fault is proven in court, a jury will award economic and non-economic damages to the plaintiff, which could include:
A committed legal professional could evaluate all of an injured pedestrian’s losses to ensure they receive a comprehensive compensation award for the full extent of their damages.
People injured in accidents caused by someone else’s negligence or intentional acts have two years from the incident to pursue legal compensation, according to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 9-3-33. Filing a lawsuit after this window has closed will undoubtedly result in the case being dismissed.
Some rare exceptions apply. If the defendant leaves Georgia after the accident but before being served notice of the action, the two-year clock will not run until the defendant returns to Georgia. The clock also waits until a minor in the accident turns 18 years old or an incompetent person regains mental acuity.
A diligent pedestrian accident lawyer in Dalton could ensure an injury claim is filed within the legal timeframe.
Whether you walk for the health benefits or as a way to commute, you should not have to worry about being hit by an inattentive driver. However, pedestrian accidents are an unfortunate reality. When they do occur, you could be left with mounting medical bills to pay and lost wages while you physically recover—both of which can produce overwhelming stress and anxiety. You should not have to carry this burden. The at-fault party should compensate you for what you have lost.
Our firm is dedicated to alleviating the financial suffering injured parties endure after an accident somebody else caused. A Dalton pedestrian accident lawyer negotiates with insurers—and if they are not satisfied with the settlement offer—they fight in court for a jury to award you a fair amount. Call now to get a determined attorney on your side.