Pedestrian Safety: Know Your Risk Before You Walk

Stockbridge and other metro Atlanta cities have some of the most walkable roads in Georgia. Walking is a healthy, inexpensive and environmentally-friendly mode of transportation compared to driving a car. Unfortunately, the majority will still choose to drive instead of walk, which means Georgia sidewalks and roads are not exempt from serious safety risks to pedestrians.

Whether you are walking along a road to get to a specific destination or simply for pleasure or exercise, it is important to understand your level of risk as a pedestrian. At the office of Attorney Darrell T. Farr, we want you to be aware of the hazards that could a pedestrian accident and cause you or your loved one serious harm.

Top Risks for Pedestrians

Distracted Drivers: Just because you are focused on your surroundings as a pedestrian, doesn’t mean nearby drivers are as attentive. In fact, too many drivers operate their vehicles while doing other tasks, such as texting, calling, inputting driving directions, tending to children in the backseat or eating. When a driver is distracted, it is common to swerve off the road or lose control. In such cases, innocent pedestrians are at significant risk for injury.

Large Vehicles: Did you know that the sales of pickup trucks have increased in the past two years? Though not as large as a commercial truck, pickup trucks are still known for overpowering residential roads and having blind spots and visibility issues. It is not surprising that reports are linking the recent surge in truck purchases to an increase in pedestrian fatalities.

Poor Road Conditions and Signage: While there are countless “walkable” roads in Georgia, that doesn’t mean that they are all equipped with proper signage and safety conditions for pedestrians. If a road does not have clearly marked crosswalks, traffic lights with countdown timers or curb extensions, your risk for an accident increases exponentially.

Reckless Drivers: Regardless of how well a road is marked for pedestrians, there are still people who choose to speed and drive recklessly. These drivers may be looking for other cars on the road and negligent to the possibility of people walking nearby. For this reason, reckless driving and pedestrian accidents are much more likely to occur during the early morning or nighttime hours when visibility is low and drivers are less likely to have pedestrians on their radar.

Contact a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Stockbridge

Pedestrians have essentially no protection against a vehicle collision. Therefore, the injuries that occur during a pedestrian accident can be quite serious and even catastrophic or fatal. If you or a loved one has recently been hurt while walking, Attorney Darrell T. Farr is here to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call today for your initial consultation in Stockbridge.