Pedestrian Accidents on Crosswalks in Savannah: Proving Driver Negligence
Pedestrian crosswalk accidents are unfortunately common in busy cities like Savannah. When a driver strikes a pedestrian in a crosswalk, the pedestrian often sustains serious or even fatal injuries. Georgia law provides legal protections for pedestrians on crosswalks, but victims must prove negligence in order to hold drivers accountable. This article examines Georgia crosswalk laws and how pedestrian accident victims can build a strong negligence case.
Georgia Crosswalk Laws
Under Georgia law, pedestrians have the right-of-way when lawfully using a crosswalk. Drivers are legally required to exercise due care to avoid striking pedestrians in crosswalks. Specifically:
- Drivers must yield to pedestrians on crosswalks when turning at intersections. Failure to yield is illegal.
- Drivers cannot pass other vehicles that are stopped at crosswalks to allow pedestrians to cross. It is illegal to pass stopped vehicles and strike pedestrians.
- Drivers must exercise proper control of their vehicles and keep a proper lookout for pedestrians on crosswalks. Speeding, distraction, impairment, and other forms of driver negligence that result in crosswalk accidents can create liability.
Georgia crosswalk laws aim to protect vulnerable pedestrians and promote safe driving habits. However, many drivers still fail to uphold their duties, leading to tragic collisions. Holding them accountable requires accident victims to prove negligence and causation.
Proving Driver Negligence
To recover damages from a driver who struck them in a crosswalk, injured pedestrians must prove:
- The driver owed them a duty of care
- The driver breached this duty through negligent driving
- The breach caused their injuries
Drivers owe pedestrians on crosswalks a duty to operate their vehicles carefully and yield the right-of-way. Proving a breach requires collecting evidence that the driver failed to uphold this duty through negligent actions like:
- Speeding
- Distraction or impairment
- Failure to yield
- Disregarding traffic signals or stop signs
- Passing a stopped vehicle
- Unsafe lane changes or turns
- Not seeing the pedestrian
Police reports, witness statements, video footage, and other evidence from the scene can help establish what the driver did wrong. A personal injury attorney can obtain this evidence through in-depth accident investigations and legal discovery. They will gather all available information to build the strongest case possible.
Proving causation requires showing the driver’s breach directly led to the collision and injuries. Using all of the available evidence to recreate the accident and show the driver’s actions set it in motion is key. An experienced attorney will work with accident reconstruction experts to prove causation.
Damages in Georgia Crosswalk Injury Lawsuits
Injured pedestrians can recover compensatory damages from negligent drivers under Georgia law. These damages include:
- Medical expenses – This includes bills for hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, medications, and other care relating to the accident injuries.
- Lost wages – Income lost due to missing work during recovery.
- Loss of future earning capacity – For permanent disabilities that reduce earning ability. Expert economists can calculate these losses.
- Pain and suffering – Compensation for physical and emotional trauma from the injuries.
- Punitive damages – Additional amounts to punish gross negligence, like drunk driving.
The full costs of a serious pedestrian accident injury can be immense. An attorney will fight to recover full compensation for all losses suffered. Maximal damages help pay for medical care, replace lost income, and support the victim’s recovery and finances.
Expert Representation for Crosswalk Accident Victims
Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer helps pedestrians struck on crosswalks to build the strongest case possible against negligent drivers. An attorney can investigate all avenues for evidence, prove negligence, and demand maximum compensation for your losses. They know how to deal with insurance companies and aggressively negotiate fair settlement offers. If a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached, they will take the case to court.
Take Legal Action After a Crosswalk Accident
The dedicated pedestrian accident lawyers at our firm help victims and families in Savannah and throughout Georgia. We conduct in-depth investigations and craft ironclad arguments proving driver negligence. Our ultimate goal is obtaining the compensation you need and rightfully deserve after suffering crosswalk injuries. For a free consultation on your case, contact our office today. Time is of the essence, so call us now to get the claims process started and protect your rights. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are here to help you recover.
Visit one of our offices at:
- 7176 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, GA 31405
- 320 East Clayton Street, Athens, GA 30601
- 197 14th St. NW, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30318
- 110 Traders Cross #226, Okatie, SC 29909
Or call now for a free consultation on (800) 529-1441.
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