Weaver Law Firm guides people through the claims process when they’re injured in an accident in Rome. You’re never more vulnerable to injuries than when you’re a pedestrian. It’s not hard to figure out why: on foot, you have no protection against a moving car–even at slow speeds. When you’re injured as a pedestrian, our team can help you. Set up a free consultation today to learn more.
Do You Need a Lawyer After a Pedestrian Accident?
After a pedestrian accident in Rome, one of the first questions you might have is whether you need a lawyer. The answer depends on your circumstances. There’s a chance that your injuries will only be minor and you can take care of it with quick medical care and maybe even an insurance claim. That said, pedestrians in your position frequently face pretty serious–even fatal–injuries and damages when they’re struck by a car.
Even if you think you can handle it on your own, having our Rome personal injury lawyers on your side can make the process easier and less stressful. Here’s how we help:
- Explaining your rights and options from the start.
- Investigating the accident to figure out what happened and who’s at-fault.
- Gathering records and evidence to make your claim stronger.
- Talking with insurance adjusters and lawyers to protect your claim.
- Filing a lawsuit, if need be.
Every pedestrian accident is different, and your situation may require a personalized approach. Talking with our team gives you advice tailored to your case. Plus, we offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency-fee basis, so there’s no upfront cost for you.
Who Can Be Responsible When There’s a Pedestrian Accident?
When a pedestrian accident happens in Rome, figuring out who’s responsible usually comes down to negligence. Simply put, this means someone failed to act responsibly, and that failure caused your injury. Legally, negligence has four main parts:
- Duty of care – Did the person have a responsibility to prevent harm?
- Breach of duty – Did they fail to meet that responsibility through careless or reckless behavior?
- Causation – Did that failure directly cause the accident?
- Damages – Did their actions result in injuries or losses?
If the answer to these questions are yes, then you have negligence and that tells you who’s responsible for the accident and any harm you go through. But in real-world situations, it can be a bit more complicated and involve multiple people depending on what actually happened. In most pedestrian accidents, though, responsibility falls on:
- Drivers who hit you or caused the driver that hit you to swerve into danger
- Passengers who distracted the driver or contributed to the accident
- City or county agencies responsible for road maintenance, signage, or crosswalks
- Vehicle manufacturers if a faulty part (like brakes) contributed to the accident
Georgia also follows a comparative negligence approach. That means if you share some responsibility for the accident—like crossing outside a crosswalk—the amount you can recover may be reduced by your percentage of fault. And if you’re found to be more than 50% at fault, you can’t file a claim at all. But before you reach that point, our team can give you the lay of the land. For recovery, though, the process usually starts with actually filing a claim.
How Do Pedestrian Accident Claims Work?
You never want to be injured as a pedestrian and deal with all the challenges that come with it. But unfortunately, it’s one of the most common kinds of accidents we see across the area. So, when you’re in one, it’s about doing what you can to get help–and that means filing an injury claim. Here’s what that process typically looks like:
- Insurance claim – The first step is usually filing a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company. They’ll investigate the accident and may offer a settlement. Insurance companies often aim to pay out as little as possible payouts, but we can help gather evidence, document your injuries, and negotiate to make sure your claim accurately reflects your losses.
- Lawsuit – If the insurance offer isn’t fair—or there’s no coverage at all—the next step is filing a personal injury lawsuit. This process involves exchanging evidence with the other side, attempting to settle before trial, and if that doesn’t work, going to trial where a judge or jury decides the outcome.
The goal is to recover damages that reflect your experience, which involves things like:
- Medical treatment and ongoing care
- Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress or anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life or limitations on daily activities
- Wrongful death expenses for fatal injuries
Every claim is different, and how yours plays out depends on several different factors, from how hurt you are to how complicated liability is. Also, you only have two years from the date of the accident to file. That sounds like a lot of time, but it can evaporate quickly–especially when it comes to the evidence you need.
What Evidence Can I Use in My Pedestrian Accident Claim?
Being involved in a pedestrian accident in Rome is going to turn your day—or your routine—upside down. While your health comes first, collecting the right information early can make a big difference if you need to pursue a claim. Key details to track include:
- Medical records and treatment – Keep records from your visits to the hospital, urgent care clinics, or your primary doctor. Notes, test results, prescriptions, and follow-ups show the full impact of your injuries and link them to the accident.
- Accident scene details – Take photos or videos of the area where the accident happened. Whether it was on Broad Street, near the Riverwalk Trail, or at a busy intersection like Turner McCall Blvd, try to get road conditions, signage, crosswalks, and any obstacles that may have contributed.
- Vehicle information – Record the make, model, color, and license plate of any cars involved. Take note of visible damage to vehicles, which can help show the force of the impact.
- Driver and contact information – Get the names, phone numbers, and insurance details of anyone involved in the collision.
- Witness accounts – Ask bystanders, nearby pedestrians, or shop owners for their names and contact info, and jot down what they saw. Even someone who was just passing by can help confirm what happened.
- Impact on daily life – Track how the accident affects your day-to-day. Missed work, emotional stress, or changes in how you get around town—like avoiding downtown Rome or local parks—can all support your claim.
- Property damage – Take photos of damaged items like torn clothes, broken glasses, or a damaged phone or backpack.
Even small details can matter. Was a crosswalk signal malfunctioning on East 1st Avenue? Did a car come from a side street unexpectedly? Recording these specifics creates a clearer picture of the accident, helping to show what happened and who may be responsible. But it’s also important to know what led up to it.
What Leads to Pedestrian Accidents in Rome?
It might seem simple, but a pedestrian accident can be fairly complicated when looking at what led up to it. Yes, at its core, a driver does something that causes them to hit you. And while that’s going to be the main thrust of the legal responsibility, you still need to have a full picture of why these accidents happen in Rome:
- Distracted driving – Many accidents happen when drivers are texting, talking on the phone, or otherwise distracted while behind the wheel. This can make it easy for them to miss pedestrians crossing streets like Turner McCall Blvd or Broad Street.
- Speeding – Drivers going over the speed limit in busy areas of Rome have less time to react, increasing the chance of hitting someone on foot.
- Low visibility – Pedestrians are harder to see in low light, like early mornings, evenings, or during rainy weather common in the area.
- Failure to yield – Drivers who don’t stop for pedestrians at crosswalks or intersections can cause serious accidents.
- Driving under the influence – Alcohol or drugs impair judgment and reaction time, making accidents more likely.
- Road design issues – Certain streets or intersections in Rome, such as around the Riverwalk Trail or near local schools, may make it harder for drivers to see pedestrians or for people to cross safely.
Even when you follow all safety rules—using crosswalks, looking both ways, and staying alert—accidents can still happen. And when they do, they often have serious consequences that affect your health, work, and daily life. That’s why you’ll need help, and that’s when you can turn to our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to take legal action?
In Georgia, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. That might seem like plenty of time, but acting sooner makes it easier to gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and document your injuries.
Do I need to report the accident to the police if it seems minor?
Yes. Even if the accident feels small at first, filing an official report with the Rome Police Department can protect you later. Injuries can show up days after a crash, and details can get forgotten—having a written record helps keep your side of the story clear.
Can I file a claim if I was hit in a parking lot?
Absolutely. Whether it happened outside a store on Turner McCall Blvd, a downtown parking lot, or near a local shopping center, drivers still have a duty to be careful. You have the right to seek recovery, even in private parking areas.
Contact Weaver Law Firm If You’re Hurt in a Pedestrian Accident in Rome
At Weaver Law Firm, we understand how overwhelming a pedestrian accident can be. If you’ve been hit while walking in Rome, having clear guidance and support can make all the difference. Our team of experienced personal injury lawyers in Floyd County knows the local roads and legal system, and we’ve helped many pedestrians navigate these situations successfully.
Reach out today for a free consultation. We’ll walk you through your legal rights, explain your options, and provide the support you need to focus on healing and getting your life back on track.