What You Should Do if You Are Injured in a Pedestrian Accident in Georgia

Quick answer: After a pedestrian crash in Georgia, get medical care, call the police, document the scene, report the incident to insurers carefully, and talk with an attorney before giving formal statements or signing any paperwork.

• Your health comes first: Call 911 and get evaluated, even if you feel “okay” at the scene.
• Always get a police report: It’s a key piece of evidence for any insurance claim or lawsuit.
• Save proof early: Photos, witness information, and receipts can make or break your case.
• Be cautious with insurers: Give basic facts only until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.
• Legal help matters: A pedestrian injury claim can involve serious injuries, disputed fault, and multiple insurance policies.

Pedestrian crashes are rarely “minor.” A person on foot has little protection against a moving vehicle, so even a low-speed impact can cause fractures, head trauma, or long-term pain. On top of physical injuries, many people experience emotional distress and financial strain from missed work and mounting medical bills.

If you were hit while walking in Atlanta or anywhere in Georgia, the steps you take in the hours and days after the incident can significantly affect your recovery and your ability to be compensated. This guide walks you through what to do from the scene onward so you can protect your health, your finances, and your legal rights.

Quick Summary: Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident in Georgia

1. Get to safety and call 911 for medical help.
2. Call the police and request a crash report.
3. Document the scene with photos and witness information.
4. Do not admit fault or speculate about what happened.
5. Notify your insurance company carefully.
6. Avoid social media posts about the crash or your injuries.
7. Speak with a Georgia pedestrian accident lawyer.
8. Track all medical bills, time off work, and out-of-pocket costs.
9. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and attend all appointments.

1) Ensure Safety and Seek Medical Attention

• Call 911 immediately so police and EMS respond to the scene.
• Even if you think your injuries are “not that bad,” get a full medical evaluation. Concussions, internal injuries, and soft-tissue damage often show delayed symptoms.
• Keep copies of diagnoses, imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs), prescriptions, and treatment plans. These medical records document both the nature and extent of your injuries.

2) Call the Police

Georgia law generally requires drivers to report crashes involving injury or death (see O.C.G.A. § 40-6-273). Make sure an officer comes to the scene and creates a formal report.

• Provide factual information about what happened, but avoid guessing about speed, distance, or fault.
• Ask for the police report number. Reports may be available through the Atlanta Police Department, the Georgia State Patrol, or other local agencies.
• Keep a copy. Insurers and attorneys rely on the official report when evaluating responsibility and damages.
• For more detail, see: How to Get Your Police Report.

3) Gather Evidence at the Scene

If you’re physically able—or if a trusted friend or family member can help—try to collect information before the scene changes:

• Take photos and video of your injuries, the vehicle, skid marks, crosswalks, traffic signals, signage, lighting, and weather conditions.
• Get contact details for the driver, passengers, and any witnesses. Ask nearby businesses or homes if they have security cameras that may have captured the incident.
• Write down what you remember as soon as possible: where you were walking, how the traffic light or signal was functioning, what the driver did, and anything they said afterward.

4) Avoid Admitting Fault

It’s natural to feel shaken and want to apologize—even when you did nothing wrong. Statements like “I didn’t see you” or “maybe I crossed too fast” can be used against you later.

Stick to basic facts when speaking with the driver, police, or witnesses. Let the evidence, traffic laws, and crash report determine responsibility rather than trying to assign blame at the scene.

5) Notify Your Insurance — Carefully

Even as a pedestrian, your own insurance policies may come into play. Health insurance nearly always matters, and in some situations your auto policy’s medical payments or UM/UIM coverage can help.

• Report the crash to your insurer promptly, but share only the basics (date, time, location, parties involved).
• Politely decline recorded statements or detailed questioning about injuries until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.
• Before signing medical authorizations or release forms, have an attorney review them to make sure you’re not giving up more rights than you realize.

6) Stay Off Social Media

Insurance companies routinely review public posts after an accident. A single photo, check-in, or “I’m feeling better” comment can be taken out of context and used to minimize your injuries.

• Avoid posting photos, videos, or updates about the crash, your recovery, or activities you’re doing afterward.
• Ask friends and family not to tag you in posts that might misrepresent your limitations.
• For more guidance, see our Social Media Guide After an Injury.

7) Consult a Georgia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian cases can involve serious injuries, high medical bills, and disputed liability. An experienced lawyer can help level the playing field.

An Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyer can:

• Preserve video and physical evidence before it disappears.
• Handle all communication with insurance companies so you don’t have to.
• Calculate the full value of your claim, including future medical needs and long-term effects.
• File a lawsuit and represent you in court if the insurer refuses a fair settlement.

Georgia’s comparative negligence law (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33) allows you to recover damages as long as you’re less than 50% at fault. Your compensation is reduced by your share of fault. A lawyer can help push back against unfair attempts to blame you when the driver was primarily responsible.

8) Document Your Financial Losses

Good documentation helps your attorney and the insurance company understand the full impact of the crash on your life.

• Medical expenses: ER visits, hospital stays, specialists, imaging, prescriptions, physical therapy, and counseling.
• Lost income: Pay stubs, employer letters, and tax returns showing missed work, reduced hours, or inability to return to your prior job.
• Out-of-pocket costs: Transportation to appointments, home care or childcare, medical equipment, and over-the-counter supplies.
• Personal recovery log: Notes about pain levels, mobility issues, sleep disruption, emotional changes, and how injuries affect your daily activities.

9) Follow Your Treatment Plan

Attending appointments and following medical advice is important both for healing and for your claim.

• Keep follow-up visits and specialist referrals. Gaps in care can be used to argue that your injuries weren’t serious or were caused by something else.
• Tell your providers about all symptoms—physical and emotional—so they’re properly documented.
• If you’re having trouble affording care, let your attorney know; there may be options to coordinate treatment while your claim is pending.

Get Legal Help After a Pedestrian Accident in Georgia

Being struck as a pedestrian in Atlanta or elsewhere in Georgia can turn life upside down in seconds. You may be juggling medical visits, pain, time off work, and worries about how to pay the bills. You don’t have to handle the insurance battle on your own, too.

At Thompson Law, we focus on protecting injured people—not insurance companies. Our team can investigate the crash, gather evidence, work with your medical providers, and pursue the compensation you need to move forward.

Request Your FREE Consultation

Trial Attorney • Atlanta, GA • Georgia Bar No. 4016365

Stone Mountain native and Georgia Tech graduate (B.S. in Chemistry), with a J.D. from Washington University School of Law. Phillip’s practice focuses on helping injured people — including pedestrians and families affected by serious roadway crashes — hold negligent drivers and their insurers accountable.

• Focus areas: Pedestrian and crosswalk collisions; car and truck crashes; wrongful death; catastrophic injury (spinal, TBI, fractures); insurance coverage disputes.
• Courts: Fulton, DeKalb & Cobb County State Courts; all Georgia state courts; U.S. District Courts (N.D. & M.D. Ga.).
• Memberships:
  State Bar of Georgia;
  Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (GTLA)
• Status: Active Member in Good Standing (admitted December 6, 2013)

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