Pedestrian accidents are a major problem in Georgia, and in Gwinnett County in particular, pedestrian fatalities were up in 2014, with local police saying many of the incidents could have been prevented. During this year alone, 11 pedestrians were killed in Gwinnett County accidents, up from seven in 2013, and five in 2012. If you have been injured in a GA pedestrian accident, or if you lost a loved one in a fatal wreck with a motor vehicle, consult our knowledgeable attorneys at Rechtman & Spevak today. You may have grounds to file a personal injury or wrongful death suit against the driver found at-fault in the accident, in order to pursue financial compensation for your losses.
Pedestrian Accidents in Georgia
In a press release issued late last month, the Gwinnett Police Department indicated that almost all of the pedestrian accidents that took place in Gwinnett County this year were at night, and a majority occurred in the areas of Jimmy Carter Boulevard, South Norcross Tucker Road and Singleton Road in western Gwinnett. “If events continue to occur at the current rate, GCPD could see 14 pedestrian fatalities by the end of 2014,” the press release stated. “To this date in 2014, eight of the fatalities were adult males, two were adult females, and one was a child. Only one of the fatalities took place in a crosswalk.”
Preventing Safety Tips
Gwinnett Police say that a majority of the pedestrian accident deaths in Gwinnett County could have been avoided had the pedestrians used the crosswalk and obeyed traffic control signals for pedestrian crossings. In an effort to reduce the risk of pedestrian accidents in Georgia, GCPD has released the following pedestrian safety tips:
- Whenever possible, cross the roadway only in a crosswalk
- Always obey pedestrian traffic control signals
- Make eye contact with approaching drivers to ensure they see you
- Don’t assume a driver can see you just because you can see the vehicle
- Wear bright, reflective clothing when riding a bicycle or running on a roadway
Our Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Can Help
Unfortunately, even when pedestrians obey pedestrian traffic signals and Georgia laws regarding pedestrian right of way, they remain at risk for serious accidents when motorists fail to exercise proper caution behind the wheel. Far too often, pedestrians are injured or killed in Georgia accidents because the driver involved in the collision was drowsy, distracted or otherwise impaired, and failed to see the pedestrian crossing the roadway or walking on the shoulder of the road. If you have suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident in Atlanta, Marietta, or elsewhere in Georgia, contact our pedestrian accident lawyers at Rechtman & Spevak today to discuss your legal options.
