Georgia Pedestrian Deaths on a 10-Year Upswing

September 07, 2012 (Press-News.org) Over the past decade, Georgia's roads have become a lot more dangerous for pedestrians. According to recently released data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Georgia pedestrian fatalities have risen every year since 2001.

In 2001, 146 pedestrians died on Georgia roads, comprising 9 percent of that year's traffic fatalities. By 2011, that number had risen to 168 pedestrian deaths -- a striking 13.5 percent of all fatal accident victims.

Based on population, though, a Georgia pedestrian's chance of dying in a fatal motor vehicle accident has not changed. In 2001 there were approximately 1.73 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people. That rate remained the same in 2011.

Still, Georgia is doing significantly worse than the nation as a whole. The state's pedestrian death rate is about 25 percent higher than the national average of 1.38 deaths per 100,000 people. Further, the national pedestrian death rate is about 19 percent lower than it was in 2001, while Georgia's has not improved at all.

Despite these troubling statistics, Georgia is safer than some of its neighbors. Florida has the highest pedestrian death rate in the country with 2.58 fatalities for every 100,000 people. South Carolina's pedestrian death rate is 1.94 per 100,000 people. However, unlike Georgia, both of these states have seen significant improvements in pedestrian safety over the last 10 years.

Preventing Deaths by Focusing on Safety

Keeping pedestrians safe is a two-way street. If Georgia's pedestrian death rate is ever going to go down, then both drivers and walkers alike must make a renewed commitment to pedestrian safety.

Drivers need to remember that pedestrians always have the right of way in a crosswalk. If it looks like someone is trying to cross the street, slow down and let them pass. In addition, it is especially important to be on the lookout for pedestrians when turning onto another street.

For their part, pedestrians can help promote safety by following applicable traffic laws. For example, pedestrians should always cross at crosswalks or intersections and should avoid walking in areas where drivers might not expect to encounter someone on foot.

Pursuing a Georgia Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Unfortunately, not everyone follows these safety rules. Fatal pedestrian accidents are a sad fact of life in Georgia.

When a fatal accident happens, it is important for the victim's family to understand they have a right to legal recourse. When a death is caused by another person's negligence, Georgia law allows the victim's family to pursue a civil suit for wrongful death.

Wrongful death lawsuits offer several different avenues for recovery. For example, damages can be recovered on behalf of both the deceased person's estate and his or her family. In addition, if the death was not instant, damages can often be recovered for the deceased person's pain and suffering.

After a fatal accident -- whatever the cause -- it is important to enlist the help of an experienced personal injury attorney who understands the complexities of Georgia's wrongful death laws. A skilled attorney will be able to help the victim's family seek justice by identifying and maximizing all potential sources of liability and recovery.

Article provided by Fried & Bonder, LLC
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