Does the pedestrian really have the right-of-way? Can they cross in the middle of a street and be charged with jaywalking? What happens if they are crossing the street and they are struck by a vehicle? Which person would be at fault? Believe it or not, that is likely a very common question and should definitely be answered by a trained professional with expertise in the matter. I am certain that countless Americans are unaware that if they are following the rules of the road and obeying the traffic equipment but a driver strikes them with his/her vehicle, they are not necessarily the one at fault.
No matter how much care you take in the matter, accidents happen on a daily basis. More times than not, it’s not what you do in the moment in the state shock as much as what your next move is. You should make sure that the police are called to the scene and the information of the driver is obtained. You do not have to build a case yourself, but there is no such thing as too much information.
Because you are not an attorney, like a personal injury attorney Dekalb County GA trusts, you would do well just to gather the information and begin your search of finding and hiring an attorney that will assist you moving forward. For example, if you cross the street while following the direction of the traffic safety device and you are struck by a car that perhaps ran the traffic light, you will likely be deemed not a fault. While the pedestrian having the right-of-way is constantly stated, it should be known to all pedestrians that the traffic safety devices are there to ensure the safety of all parties, both pedestrians and drivers.
If you have recently been struck by a vehicle by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to financial compensation for any wages loss or medical bills. Taking a leisurely walk on the sidewalk and obeying the traffic signals to ensure that you observe the rules of the road should not be followed up with being struck by a driver who has done you wrong. Because of the importance of remaining healthy, taking a walk should not result in broken bones or worse. Because you aren’t an attorney, you should reach out to someone who can assist you in determining if you have a claim to seek compensation for any inconvenience you were caused.
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Thanks to our friends and contributors from Andrew R. Lynch, P.C. for their insight into pedestrian accidents.