One Georgia pedestrian getting hit and killed by a car is too many. Sadly, many more people than a single individual are killed by motor vehicles in this state yearly. It’s a serious safety issue that is getting worse, according to the Georgia State Patrol.
A GSP trooper recently said that fatal pedestrian accidents have jumped 54 percent in the past ten years. Though most of these tragic incidents happen at night, the trooper said that daytime pedestrian deaths rose 16 percent too.
Where do most occur?
The trooper said that many of the pedestrian accidents in the last few years occur near shopping centers, city crossroads, and school zones. While many expect to see people crossing the street in a neighborhood or city street, several drivers fail to take into account how busy malls and schools can get during certain parts of the day and do not take the necessary precautions when approaching them. Shopping centers can get busy quickly with people walking to and from the parking lot, so drivers need to keep on the lookout at all times when finding a spot to park.
Many motorists fail to follow speed limits near school zones, which can put young children and crossing guards at high risk. A significant portion of the drivers commuting to high schools are also students behind the wheel for the first time, and their inexperience can be dangerous for themselves and those around them.
How these accidents happen
The human body is no match for a multi-ton powerful machine like a car, pickup truck or SUV. This is why drivers must be careful at intersections. A mistake can lead to disaster. Unfortunately, not every motorist out there takes sufficient care to keep the pedestrians around them reasonably safe. Examples include:
- Driving
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Running stop signs or red lights
- Making turns without yielding to pedestrians
- Speeding
These behaviors are entirely preventable, but they happen virtually every day in the state. No matter how careful somebody is when crossing the street, if a reckless driver is heading right toward them, they might have little to no time to get out of the way. The resulting collision can cause devastating injuries. As the victim, you could be disabled for years, possibly the rest of your life. Or worse, you could lose a loved one in one of these incidents.
Because of this, Georgia personal injury law allows victims to seek compensation for their damages from the responsible motorist. A successful claim can help pay your hospital bills, make up for your lost wages, and compensate you for things like your pain and suffering.