Hit as a Pedestrian in Georgia? Here's What to Do in the First Week

If you were hit by a vehicle while walking in Georgia, the first week matters a lot. Get medical care, report the crash to police, document the scene, protect your records, and slow down on insurance calls. Here is what to do after serious pedestrian accident Georgia cases, in the order it usually matters.

This page gives general information about Georgia law and common practice. It is not advice about your specific situation. The steps are simple, but they’re easy to miss when you’re hurting, scared, or helping someone else. The responsible lawyer for this page is Peter F. Jaraysi of Slam Dunk Attorney. Contact details are in the disclaimer at the end.

Why the First Week Matters After a Serious Pedestrian Accident

The first week sets the record that matters later. Medical visits, police reports, witness names, and physical evidence all start to fade quickly.

You may be the person who was hit. You may also be a spouse, adult child, parent, or friend handling hospital calls, insurance letters, and bills. Either way, the job feels huge. Start with what protects health, then protect the record.

A person on foot has no vehicle around them for protection. That’s why injuries can be serious. Some of them don’t show up for hours or days.

Call 911 and Get Emergency Medical Care

Call 911 right away if the crash just happened. Get medical care even if the person says they feel fine. Don’t move a badly hurt person unless they are in immediate danger.

Some injuries are hidden at first. Head injuries are one example. The Brain Trauma Foundation prehospital guidelines state that traumatic brain injuries can range from mild to catastrophic. They may cause coma, death, and serious health effects. A quick “I’m fine” isn’t enough.

The emergency room creates the first medical record. Records made close to the crash help show what happened and when. Keep copies of discharge papers. Attend every follow-up visit, imaging test, and referral to another doctor. Stopping care early can leave gaps that are hard to fill later.

Make Sure the Police Report Is Filed

A police report is the first official record of the crash. Ask for the report number at the scene. Write down the officer’s name too.

Georgia’s pedestrian rules matter here. A driver must stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian crossing in a crosswalk when the pedestrian is on the driver’s half of the road, or is approaching and within one lane of the half the driver is traveling on or turning onto (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-91). A pedestrian who crosses the roadway at a point other than a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield to vehicles unless he has already, and under safe conditions, entered the roadway (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-92). Drivers must also use due care to avoid hitting any pedestrian (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-93).

Note the location, crosswalk markings, the signal, and what the driver said. Describe facts, not guesses about fault. If the driver left the scene, still report it to police. Write down the vehicle type, color, any partial plate, and the direction it went.

Ask how to get the finished report. Read it for errors.

Document the Scene, the Vehicle, and the Witnesses

Take photos and gather witness details as soon as it’s safe. Photograph the location, crosswalk, traffic signals, signs, lighting, and weather. Take wide shots and close-ups of the vehicle and any damage.

Witnesses often leave before police finish. Get each witness’s name and phone number now. Ask what they saw, especially the signal or the crosswalk.

From the driver, record the name, insurer, policy number, license plate, and vehicle details. If the vehicle belongs to a company or employer, write that down too.

Nearby businesses may have security cameras. Ask them to save footage from the time of the crash. Many systems overwrite video on a set schedule, so don’t wait.

Preserve Evidence, Records, and a Daily Log

Keep the items you had with you: clothing, shoes, bags, phones, and any medical device such as a brace or wheelchair. Photograph them before you repair or discard anything.

Create one folder or file for all paperwork. Include medical bills, explanation of benefits forms, prescription receipts, and mileage to appointments. Track every out-of-pocket cost.

Start a simple daily journal. Note pain, sleep, mobility, missed work, and tasks you can’t do now. Write in your own words, each day. Notes made close to the event are more useful than memories months later.

Serious injuries can change daily life for a long time. MedlinePlus explains that paralysis is a loss of muscle function. It can result from catastrophic injuries such as spinal cord injuries.

Keep social media quiet about the crash and your activities. Insurance adjusters can review public posts.

Handle Calls From Insurance Companies Carefully

Tell your own auto insurer about the crash soon. Georgia law requires auto liability policies to contain uninsured motorist coverage provisions, so ask your insurer how they may apply to you (Georgia uninsured motorist coverage law).

The other driver’s insurer may call quickly. You don’t have to answer every question on the first call. Many people prefer to speak with a lawyer before giving a recorded statement.

Keep a call log. Write the adjuster’s name, the date and time, and what was said. Avoid guesses about speed, distance, or how the crash happened. Saying “I don’t know” is fine when it’s true.

Early offers may not reflect the full medical picture, since injuries can surface later. Take time before signing any release or medical authorization. Read what it allows.

Know the Georgia Deadlines and Fault Rules

Georgia generally gives two years to file an injury lawsuit. The law says actions for injuries to the person must be brought within two years after the right of action accrues (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). Don’t wait to learn your timeline.

Some claims have shorter notice rules. For a claim against a city for injuries to person or property, a written claim must go to the city’s governing authority within six months of the happening of the event on which the claim is based (O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5).

Timing can differ for some people. Except as otherwise provided in Code Section 9-3-33.1, a child under 18 gets the same time after turning 18 as other people (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-90).

Fault also matters. Georgia reduces damages by the injured person’s percentage of fault (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33). If the injured person is 50 percent or more responsible, they cannot receive damages under that rule. Whether a claim exists depends on the facts.

Caring for an Injured Pedestrian Who Cannot Manage Alone

A family member often takes over calls, records, and deadlines when the injured person can’t. Brain and spinal injuries can make decisions and paperwork hard for a time. Research published through PubMed Central describes recovery timelines after traumatic spinal cord injury and the factors that affect them.

Ask the care team who may receive information about the injured person. Ask which forms need a signature. Keep a copy of any document that gives someone authority to act.

Keep a list of every doctor, therapist, and facility. Include phone numbers and visit dates. Keep a simple caregiver log of calls made, who was spoken to, and what was decided. This prevents confusion later.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in the First Week

Most early mistakes are simple to avoid with a plan.

• Stopping medical follow-up because the person feels better.
• Posting about the crash, injuries, or activities online.
• Throwing away damaged clothing, phones, or equipment before documenting them.
• Accepting a quick insurance offer without reading the paperwork.
• Waiting to write down details. Memories of the scene fade fast.
• Assuming the police report is complete. Read it and ask about errors.

Talk With Our Team About Your Pedestrian Accident

Working through this week beside a hospital bed, or sorting a stack of bills and insurance letters, is hard. Many people in this spot are not sure which steps matter most. Sorting out the order of things is a good first move.

Our team can talk through the crash, the injuries, and the timing questions that apply to your situation.

If you’re helping someone through this week or facing it yourself, you don’t have to sort out the calls, bills, and deadlines alone. Contact our team for a free, confidential first consultation, with no obligation to continue.

Disclaimer: This page gives general information about Georgia law. It is not legal advice for any specific case. Responsible lawyer: Peter F. Jaraysi, Slam Dunk Attorney, Duluth, Georgia. Contact: https://slamdunkattorney.com/contact-us/