Are some pedestrians more at risk of getting hit than others?

On Behalf of | Oct 19, 2020 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

There were nearly 6,000 pedestrians that lost their lives in crashes in 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Another 137,000 people visited the emergency room with non-fatal crash-related injuries that same year. Some pedestrians were more vulnerable than others. Many of their injuries or deaths were preventable.

CDC data shows that 20% of the pedestrians that died in 2017 were children 14 or younger. At least 10% of those who suffered injuries while walking that same year were individuals 65 or over. At least 20% of the traffic accident victims were pedestrians of the same age range.

Those same statistics show that at least one-third of the pedestrians drank alcohol before their fatal accidents in 2017. In at least 17% of those cases, both the motorist and the pedestrian had blood alcohol contents (BACs) above the legal limit.

Many of the pedestrian-involved accidents that occur are preventable.

Drunk individuals often believe that it’s safer for them to walk home than drive if they don’t have a designated driver. Neither walking nor driving is safe, though.

Going out, walking at night is dangerous because of poor visibility. Pedestrians should aim to wear light-colored or reflective clothing and carry flashlights so motorists can better see them. Anyone walking should reconsider wearing earbuds as they can make it hard to focus on what’s going on around them.

Pedestrians need to realize that motorists often don’t notice them as they walk along shoulders or sidewalks, especially as they distance themselves from intersections. Pedestrians can make themselves more visible by using illuminated paths while facing traffic and always crossing the street at designated crosswalks instead of jaywalking.Sometimes it doesn’t matter how careful a pedestrian is at calling attention to oneself. They may wear reflective clothing, be careful to only cross at intersections, and engage in other habits to keep them safe. Sometimes none of this is enough, though. Pedestrians and drunk driving or speeding don’t mesh well.

An attorney with experience handling motor vehicle accident injuries and advise you whether Georgia law allows you to hold a negligent motorist accountable for their actions.