Pedestrians walking near or across busy roadways are vulnerable. While that is true across the country, some areas are more dangerous for pedestrians than others. According to a recent study, Georgia ranks as one of the deadliest states for pedestrians in recent years.
Pedestrian Deaths in Georgia
According to the nationwide study of pedestrian deaths between 2008 and 2017, Georgia ranked sixth among states for the most pedestrian deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents. During that time, 1,782 pedestrians were struck and killed in the state, which is approximately 184 annually. That works out to exactly 1.76 pedestrian deaths for every 100,000 Georgia residents during that time frame. That is noticeably higher than the national average of 1.55 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people.
According to the data, Florida tops the list as the deadliest state for pedestrians during the time span studied. In Florida, 5,433 pedestrian deaths were reported, which worked out to 2.73 annual deaths for every 100,000 residents. That is nearly double the national average.
Atlanta Statistics
When it comes to pedestrian deaths in Georgia, the Atlanta area is far and away responsible for the majority of deaths. With 1.79 pedestrian fatalities in the Atlanta area for every 100,000 people, the city has a higher death rate than both the state and national average.
Some experts point to the nature of Atlanta’s transportation infrastructure. The area relies on motor vehicles over mass transit at a much higher rate than other large cities. The result is more congestion on Atlanta’s roadways, more accidents, and more fatalities.
Another issue raised in Metro Atlanta is the poor condition of many city sidewalks. In some places, the sidewalks are in such disrepair that it is necessary to walk on the road. While efforts have been underway to fund the repair of these sidewalks, those efforts have stalled due to a funding shortage. The result is a partial cause for the high rate of pedestrian fatalities in the city.
Trends
Despite advancements in car technology, the problem of pedestrian fatalities is not going away. While 2017 reflected a slight drop from the previous year, the annual death total has increased significantly across the 10-year study. On average, 13 pedestrians are killed in America each day. That works out to a death every one hour and forty-six minutes.
Injured in a Pedestrian accident? Contact One of Our Atlanta Area Personal Injury Attorneys Today.
It is the responsibility of Georgia drivers to keep a look out for pedestrians while driving. Even a brief lapse in judgment can lead to deadly consequences if a driver strikes a defenseless pedestrian with their vehicle. Whether caused by a drunk driver, distracted driving, or merely inattention, the result of a vehicle striking a pedestrian can be life-altering. If you have been hit by a car, you may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you have suffered. Your potential damages go beyond just your hospital bills, as the responsible party may also be required to pay your lost wages as well as pain and suffering. To learn about your options, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys with Williams Elleby Howard & Easter at 833-LEGALGA.
