Our Douglasville pedestrian accident lawyers at Van Sant Law have represented injured people across Georgia since 2008, and our attorneys bring decades of combined experience to claims involving serious traffic collisions.
We can investigate the cause of the crash, identify each potentially liable party, and pursue compensation through every available insurance policy. Contact our firm today for a free consultation with a Douglasville personal injury lawyer.
How Pedestrian Accidents Happen
Pedestrian crashes often occur at intersections, in parking lots, near sidewalks, in school zones, and on neighborhood roads. A person on foot has little protection from the force of a vehicle, so even a collision at a relatively low speed can cause broken bones, head trauma, spinal injuries, or internal damage.
Many of these collisions result from driver negligence, including:
- Speeding or driving too fast for the conditions.
- Texting or using another device behind the wheel.
- Failing to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
- Turning without checking for pedestrian traffic.
- Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- Backing out of a parking space or driveway without looking.
- Running a red light or stop sign.
Georgia law requires drivers to stop and remain stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks under defined circumstances. Pedestrians crossing elsewhere generally must yield to vehicles unless they have already entered the roadway under safe conditions.
A pedestrian accident attorney in Douglasville can review the actions of both the driver and the pedestrian, along with the road design, lighting, signs, and traffic controls.
Common Injuries and Losses After a Crash
Pedestrian injuries can affect your health, work, mobility, and ability to complete everyday tasks. You may need emergency treatment, surgery, follow-up visits, physical therapy, medication, and assistance at home.
Depending on your injuries and the evidence available, your claim may seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses and anticipated treatment costs.
- Lost wages and reduced future earning ability.
- Physical pain and emotional suffering.
- Rehabilitation and mobility equipment.
- Disability, scarring, or disfigurement.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Damaged personal property and other expenses caused by the crash.
If a loved one was killed, eligible family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim for the full value of the person’s life. The estate may have a separate claim for funeral expenses, final medical costs, and conscious pain and suffering before death.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Douglasville
Seek medical care as soon as possible, even if you can stand or walk after the collision. Some brain, spinal, and internal injuries do not produce immediate symptoms, and medical records can help connect your condition to the crash.
If your health allows, take these additional steps:
- Call law enforcement and obtain the report information.
- Photograph your injuries, the vehicle, the roadway, and nearby traffic controls.
- Collect names and contact information from witnesses.
- Preserve the clothing, shoes, phone, and damaged items from the collision.
- Keep medical bills, receipts, employment records, and insurer correspondence.
- Avoid posting about the collision or your recovery on social media.
- Do not sign a release or accept a settlement before your injuries are fully evaluated.
Be cautious about giving the driver’s insurance company a recorded statement or signing a broad medical authorization. A Douglasville pedestrian accident lawyer can review these requests and communicate with the insurer for you.
You should still notify your own insurer as required and comply with reasonable obligations under your policy.
Who May Be Liable for Your Injuries?
The driver is often the first person examined in a pedestrian injury claim, but responsibility is not always limited to one person. We look beyond the most obvious defendant to determine whether a business, vehicle owner, or other party contributed to the collision.
Depending on the facts and applicable law, responsible parties may include:
- A driver who failed to yield or obey traffic laws.
- An employer whose employee caused the crash while performing job duties.
- A company that owned, leased, or maintained the vehicle.
- A rideshare or delivery company when its conduct or insurance applies.
- A manufacturer of a defective vehicle or part.
- A property owner or contractor whose conduct created or concealed a hazard.
- A government entity when Georgia law permits a claim and all notice requirements are met.
When More Than One Party Shares Fault
A pedestrian collision may involve several contributing causes. For example, a delivery driver may strike someone while working, or a poorly maintained vehicle may prevent a driver from stopping in time.
We review employment records, vehicle ownership, maintenance files, camera footage, and witness accounts to determine who may be legally responsible. Identifying each liable party can also reveal additional insurance coverage for a person with serious injuries.
How Georgia Law Can Affect Your Claim
Georgia law affects how fault is assigned, how damages are calculated, and how long you have to file a lawsuit. Insurers may use these rules to argue that a pedestrian caused or contributed to the collision.
Comparative Fault
Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, you may still recover compensation if you are partly responsible, provided your share of fault is less than 50 percent. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of responsibility. If you are 50 percent or more at fault, you cannot recover damages.
An insurer may claim that you crossed outside a marked crosswalk, entered against a signal, or were distracted. None of those allegations should be accepted without examining the driver’s speed, attention, braking, visibility, and compliance with Georgia traffic laws.
Filing Deadlines
Most Georgia personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years after the right of action arises under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Exceptions can change the filing period, and claims involving a city, county, state agency, or other government entity may have shorter advance-notice deadlines.
You should not wait until the filing period is close to expiring. Video may be recorded over, physical evidence can change, and witnesses may become harder to find. Speaking with a lawyer early gives the firm more time to investigate.
Why a Local Investigation From a Douglassville Pedestrian Accident Attorney Can Help
Details from the collision site can influence how fault is evaluated. Crosswalk placement, traffic patterns, sightlines, nearby businesses, pedestrian signals, and lighting may help illustrate what the driver and pedestrian could see before impact.
Douglasville collisions can occur in commercial corridors, residential areas, school zones, and parking lots. Our attorneys live in the community and know how to locate local records, potential witnesses, and video sources that may help explain what happened.
A Douglasville pedestrian injury attorney can compare the physical setting with driver statements, witness accounts, and electronic evidence. This allows the claim to be based on documented facts rather than assumptions.
Why Choose Van Sant Law
Van Sant Law provides personal attention while handling the legal and insurance work connected to your collision. We learn how your injuries affect your life, investigate all possible sources of liability, and develop a strategy tailored to your needs.
Our legal team can:
- Investigate the crash and preserve available evidence.
- Identify responsible parties and insurance policies.
- Obtain medical, employment, and financial records.
- Communicate with insurance adjusters and defense attorneys.
- Calculate current and future losses supported by the evidence.
- Negotiate a settlement and review offers with you.
- File a lawsuit and prepare the case for court when appropriate.
We handle personal injury claims on a contingency-fee basis, so you do not pay attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Speak With a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Douglasville
If you were injured in a pedestrian collision, Van Sant Law can investigate the crash, identify responsible parties and applicable insurance coverage, and explain your legal options. Contact us today for a free consultation with a pedestrian accident lawyer in Douglasville. We are available 24/7.
