Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

When a simple walk across Peachtree, Piedmont, or Edgewood Avenue results in serious injury caused by a careless driver, you need an experienced Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyer. Munley Law’s board-certified attorneys bring over 250 years of combined experience to these cases, and we are recognized as the best law firm for complex pedestrian litigation in Georgia and beyond. Over the past 65 years, our award-winning trial lawyers have recovered more than $1 billion for injured clients, including major pedestrian results of $20 million, $3.5 million, $2.8 million, and $2 million.

Munley Law is consistently named to the Best Law Firms in America list, and our personal injury attorneys strengthen every claim by working with top accident reconstruction experts, medical specialists, and industry professionals. We front all case costs, gather evidence quickly, and work to counter the tactics insurers often use when serious pedestrian injuries threaten a victim’s future.

If you were struck by a vehicle anywhere in Atlanta, contact Munley Law today for a no-obligation consultation. We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there’s no fee unless we win your case.

How Munley Law Can Make a Difference in Your Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Claim

It can be difficult to know how to choose the right personal injury lawyer. Munley Law can make the decision easier. It’s important to partner with a team with experience. Munley Law has been serving injury victims for 65 years and has handled both straightforward and tricky personal injury cases. We will be prepared for whatever circumstances your case brings.

You also want a team that puts clients first. You need a lawyer who listens, responds, and puts you at ease. The outcome of your claim will have a significant impact on your life. You deserve to be informed every step of the way. Our staff is available to take your calls around the clock.

Munley Law has solid relationships with investigators, accident reconstructionists, and other experts whose input can strengthen your claim. Our legal team is made up of strategic negotiators and fierce trial attorneys. While we will work to negotiate a fair settlement, we don’t back down from a courtroom battle if that is the path to justice.

Along with this hands-on approach, you gain the support of a firm with national recognition. All five of our partners are:

• Named on Lawdragon’s list of the 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America
• Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
• Named among the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania

Best Lawyers has named our partners as Lawyer of the Year on five separate occasions, a reflection of the standard we bring to every case.

Our partners have also been invited into several of the nation’s most respected legal organizations:

• Daniel Munley and Marion Munley are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates
• Marion Munley is a member of The Summit Council
• Caroline Munley and Marion Munley are Fellows of the International Society of Barristers
• Marion Munley is a Senior Fellow, and Caroline Munley is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America

These invitations speak to the level of skill, professionalism, and trial experience that support every client who hires us.

You can take our word that we are the right personal injury team for you, but you don’t have to. Instead, review our multi-million dollar results, including:

• $20 million settlement after a teenage boy was struck in a pedestrian crosswalk
• $3.5 million jury verdict for a pedestrian hit by a truck
• $2.8 million settlement for a pedestrian accident
• $2 million settlement for the family of a woman killed in a pedestrian accident

Then, see what our clients and other attorneys have to say about our conduct and effectiveness in their testimonials.

What Should You Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Atlanta?

There are immediate steps to take if you get hit by a car while walking or are otherwise involved in a pedestrian accident. Your safety takes priority. If moving could cause further injury, stay still until emergency services arrive.

If you can move safely, call the authorities to the scene. Then, exchange insurance and contact information with others involved in the crash. Get phone numbers and email addresses from witnesses, too. Take photos of the accident scene, covering details from all angles.

When the police arrive, ask for the incident number so you can request a copy of the official report later. Accident reports are important for pedestrian claims because they document what happened, who was involved, and the initial observations of the responding officer. You can request this report through the Atlanta Police Department’s Open Records Request page, which allows you to submit your information online.

After securing your safety, get in touch with an Atlanta pedestrian accident attorney. We can give you guidance and handle all legalities from the moment we enter a legal partnership.

Seeking Medical Care in Atlanta

You need to see a doctor even if you don’t think you require emergency care. Some injury symptoms take time to show. This delay can happen even with potentially fatal injuries like brain bleeds or internal organ damage.

Getting medical treatment helps your injury claim by providing professional verification of your injuries. It also prevents the at-fault party from saying you inflated your injuries after speaking to a lawyer. Our team has worked with doctors and facilities throughout Atlanta regarding common pedestrian accident injuries. We have collected medical reports and other documentation on behalf of victims from hospitals, including:

• Grady Memorial
• Emory Memorial
• Piedmont Atlanta

Our team also works with other clinics, urgent cares, and health centers. We will connect with your medical team, whatever their location. Your attorney will help you maintain compliance with doctors’ orders and follow through on other necessary care.

The Atlanta Police Department and Court System

Munley Law is also familiar with the Atlanta Police Department. We know how to get accident reports and other official information about your accident. For Atlanta accidents, claims are typically filed with the Fulton County Superior Court.

Our team is prepared to file with the appropriate county court if your accident happens outside Fulton County. Your pedestrian injury lawyer knows how the court operates and will have a strong sense of how a local jury of your peers may respond to your claim if you have to fight for justice in court.

“At Munley Law, our mission is simple: to provide all injury victims equal access to justice, even against the most powerful entities. For more than 65 years, we have been the voice for the injured, the forgotten, and those who need someone to stand beside them in their darkest hour.”

Marion Munley

Free case consultation
Call us at (844) 686-5397

Common Pedestrian Accidents and Injuries in Atlanta

Pedestrian accidents can happen along any of Atlanta’s roads. Trucks, passenger cars, buses, and e-scooter riders all share the City’s busy roads with pedestrians. In an accident with any of these vehicles, the pedestrian is the obvious underdog.

Delivery trucks make frequent starts and stops. Their bulky size can make it difficult for operators to see pedestrians walking nearby. Drivers may also be distracted by route-finders or fail to observe their surroundings in the push to stay on schedule.

MARTA bus drivers experience similar pressures and constantly move into pedestrian-trafficked areas to drop off or pick up passengers. MARTA pedestrian areas are likely sites for accidents. Whether you are hit by a public or private bus, Munley Law can help. Different rules apply to claims against public vs. private entities. We know the procedures governing both.

Whenever visibility conditions are poor, the risk of accidents increases. Heavy rain, fog, and smog limit what drivers and pedestrians can see. Under these conditions, drivers must take extra care to operate their vehicles safely.

The Atlanta Beltline

The Atlanta Beltline is a lovely attraction for tourists and Atlanta residents. Though designed for foot and bicycle traffic, pedestrian accidents remain possible. Bicyclists and e-scooter riders may ride too fast or in prohibited areas, colliding with those hiking the trails or strolling through the area.

Accidents With Rideshare Drivers

Rideshare vehicles take up a lot of space on Atlanta’s streets. Unfortunately, they are another source of danger for pedestrians. Drivers pull into pedestrian-packed areas to pick up clients. They may be so busy looking for the client that they miss noticing the pedestrian in their path. The same can happen when searching for a convenient drop-off spot.

Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Injuries Can Do Serious Damage

Pedestrian accidents usually involve falls or collisions with motor vehicles. Both falls and motor-vehicle accidents are among the common causes of traumatic brain injury (TBI). A serious TBI can cause permanent cognitive, physical, and physiological deficits. They can also lead to personality changes and loss of emotional control.

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are another type of catastrophic injury. They can leave victims totally or partially paralyzed. Those still able to move may have weakened sensation and strength in parts of the body. They could also experience constant tingling, chronic pain, or other consequences.

Bone breaks represent another outcome. The break may heal fully, but that healing requires time away from work and costly medical treatment. In other scenarios, a full recovery may be impossible, or dangerous infections could set in.

Soft-Tissue Injuries

You may feel lucky if you incur “only” soft-tissue injuries. These injuries damage muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and other connective tissue. Do not underestimate the hidden costs of soft-tissue injuries. They can cause chronic pain and limited mobility.

These limitations may prevent you from working and earning at your full capacity. They can also keep you from participating in activities and events and enjoying life as you once did. Partner with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Atlanta and fight to recover your losses.

What Rights and Responsibilities Do Pedestrians Have Under Georgia Law?

As a pedestrian, you have the right to safety. You also have some responsibilities for preserving your safety. The State Code has much to say about Georgia pedestrian right-of-way laws. Simply stated:

• Section 40-6-91 of the Georgia Code states that vehicle drivers must stop and stay stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross a roadway with a crosswalk. Drivers cannot try to swerve around, cut off, or squeeze past a pedestrian walking through a crosswalk.
• Pedestrians must not “suddenly” step off a curb or other safe place and walk or run into a vehicle’s path if there is not enough time or space for the driver to stop in time.
• If a vehicle stops at a crosswalk to allow a pedestrian to cross the road, vehicles following behind cannot pass the stopped vehicle.
• Pedestrians crossing a road where there is no crosswalk must yield the right-of-way to oncoming vehicles unless the pedestrian has already entered the road under safer conditions.
• Pedestrians must not cross roads diagonally, except as directed by traffic signals.

An attorney at Munley Law can determine how these and other crosswalk regulations apply to your claim.

School Zones and Safety

At the start and end of each school day, school zones are busy with young pedestrians. Drivers must comply with reduced speed limits in these zones during the times posted. They cannot pass school buses with flashing lights, as students may be entering or exiting those vehicles.

According to research cited by the Georgia Department of Public Safety, almost one-third of child-pedestrian deaths happen between 3:00 and 6:00 pm. Drivers must take extreme care to avoid this type of tragedy.

Georgia has recently taken additional steps to improve school-zone safety through Addy’s Law, which increases penalties for illegally passing a stopped school bus and strengthens enforcement measures designed to protect children near pick-up and drop-off points.

Why Do Pedestrians Face a Higher Accident Risk in Atlanta?

The 2022 issue of the Georgia Traffic Safety Facts documents non-motorist fatalities and injuries throughout the State and in Atlanta, specifically. During that year, 1,030 pedestrians categorized as “trauma patients” received treatment in State trauma centers. Statistics show:

• Emergency room visits and hospitalizations for pedestrians rose by 3%
• 2,277 traffic-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations involved pedestrians
• The Atlanta Region had the highest number and rate of pedestrian crashes in Georgia, accounting for 46% of the population but 57% of pedestrian crashes, 55% of serious pedestrian injuries, and 51% of pedestrian fatalities

Statewide data adds another layer to the problem. The Governors Highway Safety Association reports that 280 pedestrians were killed in Georgia in 2024, and information from the Georgia Department of Transportation’s See and Be Seen campaign shows clear patterns:

• 84% of pedestrian fatalities happen during overnight hours
• 95% occur outside a crosswalk
• 21% are linked to motorists not yielding
• 79% involve unsafe pedestrian actions

These accidents could have resulted from a driver’s negligence or violations of Atlanta Beltline safety rules. Traffic signal timing could be “off,” or the entities in charge of sidewalk maintenance responsibilities may have left dangerous conditions unaddressed. You can trust Munley Law to discover what happened and hold the appropriate party accountable.

How Georgia’s Negligence Laws Affect Your Pedestrian Accident Claim

To protect your opportunity to fight for justice, you must file your accident claim within Georgia’s limitations of actions for personal injury. According to Section 9-3-33 of the Georgia Code, the statute of limitations for most accident claims is two years. An early connection with Munley Law puts you in the best position to file on time and against the right party.

You can only collect a settlement or trial award by presenting convincing evidence that the party you filed against showed negligence, and that negligence caused your accident and left you with measurable damages. To find that evidence, you must first properly identify the at-fault party.

You might assume a driver’s decision to run a red light caused the crash. You might be right. On the other hand, our accident investigation could reveal that the traffic light was faulty or that the driver’s brakes failed. In those situations, the entity responsible for manufacturing or maintaining traffic lights, or the car manufacturer, may be culpable, respectively.

Damages Your Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Will Fight to Recover

Georgia gives accident victims the opportunity to recover compensatory damages for their losses. Compensatory losses make up for what you lost as a result of the accident. They are divided into two categories: special damages and general damages.

A term often used for special damages is “economic damages.” This part of the award accounts for all the financial costs of the accident. Your attorney will fight to recoup your medical bills and secure funds for future medical treatment if needed. They will also calculate your lost wages and future lost earnings if you cannot return to work. If you sustained other accident-related expenses, they will be included.

“Non-economic damages” is another term for general damages. This amount of the award acknowledges your physical and emotional pain and suffering and reduced quality of life. These damages do not come with a concrete bill. A lawyer is best equipped to calculate a fair amount and provide supporting evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Atlanta Pedestrian Accidents

Every case is unique, but most accident victims have similar questions regarding their case. Our team is here to help explain.

What streets and areas in Atlanta have the highest risk for pedestrian accidents?

Atlanta has several corridors where pedestrian crashes occur more frequently due to heavy traffic, high vehicle speeds, and limited visibility. Areas along the Downtown Connector, Peachtree Street, Moreland Avenue, and the I-285 perimeter see frequent conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians. Busy transit hubs, such as the Five Points MARTA station, and major crosswalks in Midtown and Buckhead, also pose an elevated risk due to dense foot traffic. An attorney familiar with these areas can use traffic patterns, local camera footage, and intersection design features to strengthen your claim.

What Can I Do If the Driver Left the Scene After My Pedestrian Accident?

Hit-and-run pedestrian accidents can be a problem in Atlanta, particularly in busy nightlife districts and along multi-lane roads where drivers may flee after impact. If the driver leaves the scene, your attorney can work with the Atlanta Police Department to obtain video footage from nearby businesses, roadway cameras, and license plate readers. You may also have coverage through your own uninsured motorist policy. Quick reporting is important because APD cameras and private surveillance systems often overwrite footage within days. An attorney can help preserve this evidence and guide you through the next steps.

Can I Get Punitive Damages After My Atlanta Pedestrian Accident?

Though not common, judges can impose an additional financial penalty on the at-fault party. This happens only when the act of negligence is extreme. You receive the additional money, but it is not part of your compensation. It is intended to punish the at-fault party for their actions and deter similar acts of negligence.

What If I Am Partially To Blame for the Accident?

Section 51-12-33 of the Georgia Code establishes a modified comparative fault system for accident claims. If you are “50% or more responsible for the injury or damages claimed,” you cannot collect compensation.

If you meet this eligibility standard, the amount of compensation available to you will be decreased by any lower percentage of fault you bear. For example, the judge or jury may assign 10% of the blame to you. You can then collect only 90% of the total calculated amount.

What are My Options if I Have Lost a Loved One in an Atlanta Pedestrian Accident?

Sometimes, pedestrian accident victims do not survive. They may die upon impact or later succumb to their injuries. Your loved one’s preventable death demands justice. A wrongful death attorney from our team can help you fight for compensation through a wrongful death claim.

As a surviving family member, you may be entitled to compensation for your loved one’s lost wages, job benefits, and services. You may recoup end-of-life expenses and get financial acknowledgement for the suffering your loved one endured prior to death.

An Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Attorney Is Ready to Help You Now

A pedestrian accident can set you back in all areas of life. You endure physical pain and injury that could limit your abilities and earning capacity long-term. The accident itself is traumatizing, and that trauma may last, leaving you anxious and depressed. The economic consequences can threaten your future financial stability. Munley Law is here to help and answer your questions. Call or connect online to arrange your free case consultation.