Pedestrian accidents in Georgia are more common that one might think, and can often result in serious injury or even death. A recent hit-and-run in Dekalb County highlights the dangers pedestrians face every day. At about 3:30 a.m. on February 2, a pedestrian was struck on the 300 block of East College Avenue. After the accident, the driver quickly fled the scene of the crime. The victim, who was rushed to the hospital, was pronounced dead. No description has been offered of the driver of the crash.
Not an Isolated Problem
The death in Dekalb is tragic, but unfortunately, it is not an isolated event. Increasingly, pedestrians face death or serious injury when distracted drivers are behind the wheel of a car. And the injuries pedestrians suffer can leave them in a lot of pain with mounting medical bills.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Administration, nearly 6,000 pedestrians were killed in 2016 in the United States and many thousands more were injured. The statistics were particularly dire for Georgia pedestrians. Georgia was one of five states with over 100 pedestrian deaths, and its pedestrian fatality rate was one of the highest in the nation.
Distracted Driving
Although some collisions might be intentional, many more are the result of driver negligence. Distracted driving is, unfortunately, a very serious problem, with drivers becoming distracted by:
- Eating
- Reaching for a phone
- Texting or reading a text
- Talking to someone else in the car
- Daydreaming
- Smoking
- Getting into an argument
By taking their eyes off the road for even a split second, drivers might not see pedestrians. As a result, they might not slow, or they might drift onto the side of the road where the strike a pedestrian. And telling pedestrians to use the crosswalk is not an effective strategy—over 80% of pedestrian collisions happen outside of intersections.
Compensation Might Be Available
If you have been hit as a pedestrian, you might be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. For example, you can bring a personal injury lawsuit and request compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses, such as doctor’s visits, surgery, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and assistive devices like canes, crutches, and wheelchairs.
- Rehabilitation costs to help you recover physically from the collision.
- Therapy or counseling to help you recover emotionally from the crash.
- Lost wages if you can’t work while recovering.
- Lost future wages, if your injury prevents you from returning to your old job or to any job.
- Pain and suffering damages, to compensate you for the physical pain caused by your injuries.
- Emotional distress, such as fear, depression, and anxiety.
If a pedestrian is killed, the surviving family members might be able to bring a wrongful death lawsuit to receive compensation. They can also recover for money spent on funeral expenses.
Contact an Alpharetta, Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer
Accident victims do not need to suffer in silence. At The Bulldog Firm, our lawyers have a combined 25 years of experience getting accident victims the compensation they deserve. We will review your case and identify who is responsible for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation at 770-408-7000.