When vehicles collide at intersections or during lane changes, the human body absorbs forces it was never designed to withstand. Side impact collisions strip away the protective buffer that front and rear crumble zones provide, leaving occupants vulnerable to direct contact with intruding metal, glass, and the other vehicle itself. At The Persons Firm, we represent clients throughout Marietta who have suffered because another driver failed to yield, ran a red light, or made a careless turn. Our Marietta side impact lawyers know how these crashes unfold and what it takes to hold negligent drivers accountable.
How Side Impact Crashes Differ From Other Collisions
The doors of your vehicle offer minimal protection compared to the front or rear. While manufacturers have added side airbags and reinforced door beams, there is simply less space between you and the impact point. When a truck or SUV strikes a sedan from the side, the height difference compounds the danger. The striking vehicle’s bumper often bypasses door reinforcements entirely and strikes directly at head or torso level.
Georgia law requires drivers to exercise ordinary care in operating their vehicles. This means checking blind spots, obeying traffic signals, and yielding the right of way when required. When drivers breach this duty and cause side impact collisions, they must answer for the harm they cause.
Common Causes We See in Marietta
Local intersections present unique hazards. Heavy traffic volumes, complex intersection designs, and tourist visitors unfamiliar with local roads all contribute to crash risks. Our Marietta side impact lawyers have handled cases involving:
- Drivers running red lights at major intersections along Delk Road and South Marietta Parkway
- Failure to yield when turning left from Powder Springs Road onto Burnt Hickory Road
- Improper lane changes on I-75 near the I-285 interchange
- Distracted driving incidents throughout the Marietta Square area
Each case requires a thorough investigation. We examine traffic camera footage, obtain witness statements, and work with accident reconstruction experts who can demonstrate exactly how the crash occurred.
Side Impact Car Accident Injuries That Change Lives
The medical consequences of T-bone collisions often exceed those of other crash types. Victims seated on the impact side face the greatest risk. The door caves inward. Windows shatter. The occupant’s body twists violently as the vehicle rotates.
Traumatic brain injuries occur when heads strike door frames or windows. Spinal cord damage results from the extreme lateral forces applied to the neck and back. Broken ribs puncture lungs, the pelvis fractures, and internal organs are torn from their attachments. Some victims lose consciousness at the scene, while others initially feel only mild discomfort before symptoms worsen hours later.
Long-term effects can include permanent mobility limitations, chronic pain syndromes, and psychological trauma. Children in car seats face particular vulnerability because their smaller bodies cannot withstand the same forces adults might survive. Elderly passengers often suffer more severe injuries due to decreased bone density and slower healing capacity.
What Georgia Law Says About Liability
Georgia operates under a modified comparative negligence system outlined in O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. This means you can recover damages even if you share some fault for the accident, provided your percentage of fault does not exceed 49%. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Insurance companies exploit this law. They will scrutinize every detail, searching for ways to shift blame onto you. Did you enter the intersection a second too early? Were you traveling slightly above the speed limit? They will use any argument to reduce their payout. This is why having a Marietta side impact lawyer who understands these tactics becomes essential.
Note that O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 generally provides a two-year window from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. Some exceptions exist, but waiting too long always works against your interests.
Compensation Available to Crash Victims
Georgia law gives the victim an opportunity to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include:
- All past and future medical expenses related to the crash
- Lost wages from missed work during recovery
- Inability to earn wages if injuries cause permanent limitations
- Property damage to your vehicle and personal belongings
Non-economic damages address the human cost that cannot be calculated on a spreadsheet. Physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment in activities you once loved, and disfigurement and scarring. These damages recognize that some harms cannot be fixed with money but deserve compensation nonetheless.
In cases involving particularly reckless conduct, Georgia law permits punitive damages. These damages punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct by others. Drunk driving crashes often justify punitive damages. So do cases where drivers knowingly operated unsafe vehicles or deliberately ignored traffic laws.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters are not your friends. They work for companies that profit by minimizing payouts. They will call you shortly after the crash, often while you are still in pain and confused. They will ask you to provide a recorded statement. They will request access to your medical records. They will offer a quick settlement that seems generous until you realize it covers only a fraction of your actual losses.
Never accept an initial settlement offer without consulting a Marietta side impact lawyer. These early offers almost never account for future medical needs, long-term disability, or non-economic damages. You typically cannot pursue additional compensation later, even if your condition worsens.
Areas We Serve Throughout Cobb County
The Persons Firm represents clients throughout the Marietta area, including these zip codes:
- 30060: Covering central Marietta and the historic square district
- 30062: Including East Cobb neighborhoods and commercial corridors
- 30064: Serving West Marietta and areas near Dobbins Air Reserve Base
- 30066: Encompassing North Marietta residential communities
- 30067: Covering East Cobb and areas near the Chattahoochee River
- 30068: Including South Marietta and surrounding unincorporated areas
Our Marietta side impact lawyers also represent clients from nearby communities, including Kennesaw, Smyrna, Acworth, and throughout Cobb County.
Contact Our Office Today
Side impact car accident injuries disrupt every aspect of life. Medical bills accumulate while you miss work. Pain makes sleep difficult. Anxiety about your financial future grows. You deserve an advocate who will fight for full compensation, while you focus on healing.
Call The Persons Firm today. We are ready to listen, investigate, and pursue the justice you deserve.