Being on foot means you have almost nothing protecting you if a driver makes a mistake. A pedestrian accident lawyer in Stockbridge can help you hold that driver accountable and pursue compensation for injuries that are often far more serious than what a typical car accident produces.
What makes these cases especially frustrating is how quickly insurers try to twist the story. Instead of focusing on the driver who failed to see you, adjusters often look for any reason to suggest you were somewhere you shouldn’t have been or crossing when you shouldn’t have.
That’s exactly the kind of tactic the right legal support pushes back against. Van Sant Law was built on inside knowledge of how insurance companies handle claims, and a Stockbridge personal injury lawyer at the firm uses that knowledge to keep the focus on what actually caused the crash. Get in touch today; consultations are free.
Common Causes of Collisions in Stockbridge
Pedestrian collisions typically come down to a driver failing to notice, yield to, or safely share the road with someone on foot. Frequent causes include:
- Distracted driving, especially phone use
- Failure to yield at crosswalks or intersections
- Speeding through residential or high-traffic areas
- Turning vehicles that don’t check for pedestrians
- Impaired driving
- Poor visibility during early morning or nighttime hours
The cause is worth paying attention to as it helps identify the right party to hold accountable, along with the evidence needed to prove it.
What a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Stockbridge Does
A pedestrian accident lawyer in Stockbridge handles the parts of a claim most people don’t have the time, or the legal background, to manage on their own.
That includes investigating how the crash happened, gathering evidence before it disappears, calculating what your injuries are truly worth, and negotiating with an insurance company that has far more experience settling claims than you do.
If the insurer refuses to offer a fair amount, Van Sant Law is prepared to take the case to court rather than settle for less than your recovery requires.
Steps You Can Take After a Pedestrian Crash
If you’re able to, a few steps in the immediate aftermath can make a real difference later:
- Call 911 and make sure a police report is filed.
- Seek medical attention right away, even if you feel okay at first.
- Photograph the scene, the vehicle involved, and your injuries.
- Get contact information from the driver and any witnesses.
- Avoid giving a statement to the driver’s insurer before speaking with a Stockbridge pedestrian accident lawyer.
Skipping one of these steps doesn’t necessarily end your case, but each one you complete gives your claim a stronger foundation and gives the insurer less room to argue with what happened.
Who May Be Liable for Your Injuries
In most pedestrian cases, liability falls on the driver who struck you, but that isn’t always the full picture. Depending on how and where the crash happened, other parties may share responsibility, and identifying each is key, since it affects how much compensation is available.
The Driver
In the large majority of pedestrian accidents, the driver who struck you is the primary source of liability. This usually comes down to a violation like distracted driving, speeding, or failing to yield, any of which can establish that the driver breached their duty to share the road safely.
A Government Entity
If a poorly designed crosswalk, malfunctioning traffic signal, or missing signage contributed to the crash, the government entity responsible for maintaining that road or intersection may share liability. These claims come with their own set of rules, including shorter notice requirements than a typical injury claim, which makes identifying this kind of liability early especially important.
An Employer
If the driver who hit you was working at the time of the crash, whether making a delivery, driving a company vehicle, or running a work errand, their employer may be liable for the crash under Georgia’s respondeat superior doctrine. Employers often carry higher insurance limits than an individual driver, which can mean significantly more compensation is available if this applies to your case.
A Vehicle or Parts Manufacturer
In less common cases, a mechanical defect, such as a brake or steering failure, may have contributed to the driver’s inability to stop or avoid you. When that’s the case, a vehicle or parts manufacturer may share responsibility alongside the driver.
Sorting out which of these parties, or combination of parties, may be liable takes a thorough investigation into how the crash actually happened. Overlooking one can mean missing out on a source of compensation your case may be entitled to.
Compensation Available in a Stockbridge Pedestrian Accident Case
Injured pedestrians may be entitled to recover compensation for both the financial and personal impact of the crash. Georgia law generally allows recovery for two categories of damages.
Economic DamagesThese cover losses with a clear dollar amount attached:
|
Non-Economic DamagesThese address the harder-to-measure toll the crash takes on your life:
|
In more serious cases, such as a crash resulting in a traumatic brain injury or permanent disability, compensation can also extend to long-term care costs and the cost of assistive equipment. Because pedestrian injuries often take time to fully reveal their long-term impact, settling before that becomes clear can mean accepting far less than the injury actually costs over time.
Get Help From a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Stockbridge
Getting hit by a vehicle while walking is frightening, and dealing with an insurance company afterward shouldn’t add to that stress. Van Sant Law investigates what happened, identifies every party who may be responsible, and handles communication with the insurer so you’re not pressured into a lowball offer while you’re still trying to recover.
There’s no fee unless we win your case. Consultations are free, and if getting to an office is difficult while you recover, cases can be signed electronically or reviewed during an in-home visit.
Contact Van Sant Law today to speak with a pedestrian accident attorney in Stockbridge and take the next step toward the compensation you deserve.
