Savannah Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Pedestrian accidents affect thousands of Americans and their families each year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 5,400 pedestrians died in accidents throughout the United States in 2015. If you or a loved one incurred injury or other damages in a pedestrian accident, you need legal representation. The Savannah personal injury attorneys at Butler Prather LLP are committed to your case and have the experience to hold the negligent parties accountable for their actions.

Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation and learn more about your legal options. Here are some reasons why you should call us for your pedestrian accident claim.

• Our firm has more than 30 years experience in personal injury law, including pedestrian accidents.
• We are selective about the types of cases we take, which allows us to dedicate our full attention to your case.
• We offer our services on a contingency-fee basis, so you’ll never owe attorney’s fees unless we secure a settlement or court judgment on your behalf. 

What Causes Pedestrian Accidents in Savannah, GA?

A pedestrian accident may occur in a wide range of scenarios. However, many of them arise from negligence. Some of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence
• Failure to yield, such as in a crosswalk
• Speeding

Why You Need a Pedestrian Accident Attorney

Pedestrian accidents, due to their serious nature and often extensive injuries, often involve high large damages. A victim of a pedestrian accident may experience catastrophic or even permanently disabling injuries that require a lifetime of support. Because of these factors, victims of pedestrian accidents often require the assistance of a Savannah pedestrian accident lawyer to determine the exact value of a claim and hold the responsible party accountable for his or her actions. We will help you deal with insurance companies and recover the funds you need to cover medical bills.

Liability in a Pedestrian Accident

Ascertaining responsibility in a Savannah pedestrian accident requires knowledge of the Georgia laws that apply to this special type of personal injury case. In general, pedestrian accidents fall under a legal theory called “negligence per se.” Under this doctrine, an insurance company must look at whether a person’s actions were reasonable under the circumstances when establishing fault for an accident.

Generally, the pedestrian accident attorney or claims adjuster interpreting the law will look to see if a driver violated an applicable traffic statute. If he or she did, then the defendant will be responsible for any damages that result.

How to recover compensation

To collect damages in a suit using the theory of negligence per se, a plaintiff must show evidence of the following:

• A driver of a motor vehicle violated a traffic law or a state or local regulation. Examples may include failure to yield, driving distracted, or operating under the influence of alcohol.
• The law the driver violated prevents the type of accident that subsequently occurred.
• The victim falls under the category of one who should enjoy protection under the law.
• The defendant’s negligence was the cause of the victim’s injuries.

This concept might benefit from an example. Crosswalks exist to create safe passage across traffic for pedestrians. When a person fails to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, he or she not only violates a traffic law but also causes a serious injury that the law intended to prevent. Under the criteria above, the driver committed negligence per se and will likely be liable for any damages or wrongful death that result.

Protecting the rights of pedestrian accident victims in Savannah

Determining liability in a pedestrian accident can be complex and often requires the assistance of a pedestrian accident lawyer. The lawyers at Butler Prather LLP help families like yours determine any incidence of negligence and hold drivers accountable for the damages they cause. To explore your legal rights or to schedule a free initial consultation with our firm, please contact us.