Infant Dies From Injuries
A two-year-old girl died in a car accident Tuesday, July 19 when a local woman backed over her, NBC 11 Alive Atlanta reports. The accident occurred at the 2700 block of Greencastle way in Marietta. The driver, a 57-year-old local resident, was exiting her driveway in her SUV when she struck the child, who suffered severe injuries. The child died after she was airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite hospital. Police are investigating the auto-pedestrian accident, but they do not expect to file charges, according to WTVM Columbus.
Children Are At-Risk in Car Accidents
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says that most accident fatalities occur among children riding in cars without proper restraints. Using a car seat to restrain your child aged 3 or younger reduces the risk of death in a car accident by about 75%. The CDC states that using a booster seat for kids under 8 reduces the risk of death by almost half. About 20% of child passenger fatalities involve drunk driving.
Avoid Accidents with Kids
Kids are also likely victims of auto-pedestrian accidents. Research from the National Highway Transit Safety Administration estimates that of 69,000 pedestrians killed by cars in 2011, about 11,000 of them were age 14 or younger. Common situations leading to auto-pedestrian accidents include:
- Pedestrian steps off the curb mid-block. Parked cars can block drivers from seeing the pedestrian until they’re already in the road, and it’s too late to stop.
- Vehicle turns into a cross-walk. The corners of buildings, trees, or parked cars keep drivers from seeing around corners. If they take the turn quickly, they may not have time to avoid pedestrians on the crosswalk.
- Pedestrian is walking or jogging along the road. Some joggers may take to the street to avoid other pedestrians, or where no sidewalk is available. Drivers may not expect pedestrians on the side of the road.
- Driver backs out of a parking spot. As in the tragic death in Marietta, drivers reversing out of parking spots or driveways may have limited visibility behind them, and pedestrians may not be aware they are backing out.
- Distracted motorist or pedestrian. Drivers making phone calls, texting, or having conversations may not pay close attention to the road. Likewise, pedestrians wearing headphones or reading a map may step into traffic unaware.
- Pedestrian exiting bus. School buses and other passenger buses may let pedestrians off in the middle of the block, and passengers may cross in front of the bus, where vehicles passing the bus can’t see them.
- Pedestrian crosses against the signal. Cars approaching an intersection may be driving too quickly to slow down for a pedestrian who crosses against the light without warning.
Auto-pedestrian Accidents and Negligence
In Georgia, the law requires drivers to take reasonable care to avoid injuring others while driving. Failing to follow the rules of the road can make a driver liable for negligence. Driving while texting or engaging in other distracting activities can lead to an accident, and the driver may be responsible for damages. Failing to follow the rules of the road, such as obeying school bus stop signs or coming to a complete stop at a red light, can also lead to liability for negligence. Even if the pedestrian also contributed to the accident jaywalking or jogging in the road, the driver may still be liable if they also failed to take reasonable precautions.
Get Legal Help
If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, you need legal help. Contact an experienced car accident attorney at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter today to get the compensation you deserve.
