Fulton County Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
With 1.1 million residents, Fulton County has the largest population of any county in the state of Georgia. With all the people, though, comes an increase in the number of accidents, particularly those involving motor vehicles and pedestrians.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 117 pedestrian deaths in the county from 2011 to 2015, and in 2015 pedestrian deaths actually rose by 10 percent. People involved in pedestrian accidents often suffer serious injuries that are difficult—not to mention expensive—to recover from.
Fortunately, pedestrians who are hit by a vehicle may be eligible to file a lawsuit that, if successful, could help pay for their injury-related expenses. If you were hit while walking by a negligent driver, hire a Fulton County pedestrian accident lawyer who could help you seek restitution. Call today to schedule a consultation with a seasoned attorney.
What Laws are Aimed to Protect Pedestrians in Fulton County?
Official Code of Georgia §40-6-91 states that when a pedestrian is crossing the road within a marked crosswalk, vehicles must stop and allow the pedestrian to pass the half of the crosswalk the vehicle is approaching.
That being said, pedestrians must not dart out or jump in front of traffic so that vehicles have no reasonable chance to yield to them. The statute also states that when one vehicle is stopped to allow a pedestrian to pass, no other vehicle may try to overtake and pass that vehicle, thereby entering the crosswalk. For more information about laws regarding pedestrians, individuals should contact a well-established Fulton County pedestrian accident lawyer.
Is Jaywalking Legal?
While many people consider jaywalking to be the act of a pedestrian entering a roadway to cross the street when not in a marked crosswalk, Georgia law does not recognize the term jaywalking in any specific statute.
Because of this, it is legal in Fulton County for any pedestrian to cross the street in an area other than a marked crosswalk. However, they must yield to traffic when doing so, and they still cannot dart or run out in front of vehicles.
Comparative Fault Laws
Fulton County’s comparative fault laws allow injured individuals to claim compensation for their injuries even if they were partly at fault for their accident. Under these comparative fault laws, anyone who is less than 50 percent at fault for an accident may still recover partial compensation.
In order to determine how much compensation a plaintiff may receive, the courts will assign the injured party a percentage of fault and reduce their total potential compensation by the same percentage. Anyone found to be 50 percent or more at fault cannot receive any compensation.
Claiming that a pedestrian was partly at fault for their injuries is one way the defendant in a pedestrian accident suit may attempt to reduce the amount of compensation for which they may be liable. However, a pedestrian accident lawyer in Fulton County could conversely work to prove that the injured person was not at fault for the accident.
How a Fulton County Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Could Help
If you were involved in a pedestrian accident, your injuries may be very serious. While you focus on your recovery, a Fulton County pedestrian accident lawyer could pursue compensation on your behalf to help pay for medical expenses and other injury-related costs. Call today to speak with a dedicated attorney who could investigate your case and help you construct a strong civil claim.
