Hiring a Sandy Springs pedestrian accident lawyer isn’t a legal requirement if you want to seek out a claim against a negligent driver. You have the right to represent yourself throughout the process. There are, however, numerous benefits associated with hiring a lawyer, instead.

For one, a lawyer is well-versed on personal injury law. While you can research that information on your own, too, it makes a lot more sense to rely on an attorney’s existing foundation of knowledge. Using a lawyer’s expertise, you can more easily identify your legal options.

Another benefit of hiring a local lawyer is that they will have experience working in the exact courtroom where your claim will get discussed. That means they’ve likely built up professional relationships with common court workers, including possibly any attorneys working for the other party. They’ll also have access to expert medical witnesses who frequently work on similar cases, too.

Another great advantage of relying on a lawyer’s experience is that you’ll have a greater chance of success. You’ll be more prepared to avoid common mistakes that could derail your claim. You’ll also have access to more information that can help you potentially strengthen your case before you ever present it to the other party.

Even better, most local lawyers will work with you on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t have to pay any money out-of-pocket or up front. Instead, your lawyer will only receive their payment when you win your claim. This helps make hiring a lawyer a cost-effective solution in the long run.

A typical pedestrian accident in Sandy Springs happens when a person is walking and suddenly gets struck by a vehicle. This sounds straightforward, but there are actually many ways that this type of collision can occur. Here are some of the many types of pedestrian accidents:

• Turning vehicle collisions
• Backup crashes
• Distracted driver accidents
• Alcohol-related collisions
• Trapped pedestrian accidents
• Bus-related accidents
• Hit-and-runs
• Multiple vehicle and pedestrian collisions
• Motorcycle vs pedestrian crashes

The most tragic types of accidents happen when a Sandy Springs pedestrian is killed as a result of the crash. Tragically, a car does not have to be going that fast in order to seriously wound or fatally wound a pedestrian.

As explained above, the most common cause of pedestrian accidents is human error. There are many ways and reasons that a person can make a mistake while behind the wheel. Here are the most common causes of pedestrian-related accidents:

• Distracted driving
• Intoxicated driving
• Speeding
• Violating traffic laws
• Failure to yield to pedestrian traffic
• Visual impairments (darkness, no street lighting, unmarked crosswalks, etc.)
• Pedestrian negligence (jaywalking, intentionally running into traffic, etc.)
• Adverse weather conditions

Potential Injuries and Outcomes

Unfortunately, any pedestrian versus vehicle accident is likely to result in injuries. After all, cars are heavy, big, and often traveling fast, while pedestrians are usually vulnerable. Minor injuries are the best case scenario after a pedestrian-related crash, and the worst cases happen when a Sandy Springs pedestrian is killed. Here are some potential outcomes of these types of accidents:

• Broken bones
• Fractures, strains, and sprains
• Bruising or cuts
• Road rash
• Internal injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Neck injuries
• Fatalities

Per Georgia law, negligence is described as a breach of a legal duty to provide for someone else’s safety and care. Also under the law, every driver who gets behind the wheel automatically assumes a legal duty to provide for the care of every other motorist and pedestrian. Considering these two facts, any driver that fails to uphold their duty to provide for the care and safety of other motorists and pedestrians would be considered ‘negligent’.

Identifying the negligent party in an accident case is paramount. Why? The negligent party will be the party that assumes the financial and legal responsibility for the fallout of the accident. When you file a claim, the negligent party will pay out the compensation.

While identifying the negligent party sounds straightforward in theory, determining fault after an accident is usually very complicated. This is especially true if both parties were somewhat at-fault, multiple parties were involved, or the injuries and losses are substantial.

That’s why it’s best to hire a Sandy Springs pedestrian accident lawyer to help you figure out the best way to determine and prove who was at fault.

Proving Negligence and Liability in Sandy Springs

To figure out who was at fault (and thus negligent and liable), your lawyer will analyze a ton of evidence. Here are a few examples of the types of evidence you might use in your claim to prove who was at fault:

• Police reports that suggest who was at fault
• Surveillance footage
• Dash cam footage
• Eyewitness testimony
• Crash damage and expert analysis
• Crash scene photos

If you’re still not sure what type of evidence to look for or how to document the evidence, speak with a pedestrian accident attorney in Sandy Springs, GA. Attorneys know how to compile the right documentation and evidence to strengthen your claim.

Collecting Evidence Necessary for Your Sandy Springs Claim

Proving who was negligent is only one aspect of your claim. You’ll also need to collect and document the extent of your injuries, how much money you lost at work, your property damage, and more. In general, you’ll need to document and prove every loss you expect to get compensated for.

Some losses will be easy to value and prove, but others might be more difficult. It’s especially important to consult with a Sandy Springs pedestrian accident lawyer if you plan on seeking out compensation for losses like pain and suffering, which is difficult to both value and prove.