Owner/Partner
Macon’s big sidewalks downtown encourage walking, and like many other Maconites, I enjoy taking advantage of them when the weather is good. Unfortunately, drivers sometimes don’t stop for pedestrians who have the right-of-way.
While walking the other day, I was almost hit by an SUV while attempting to safely cross the street at a well-marked crosswalk. As I stepped into the crosswalk, the SUV driver actually honked at me, apparently confused about who had the right of way! Rather than insist on exercising my rights as a pedestrian at the crosswalk, I decided not to risk a brain injury from being run over by an errant driver who was obviously in too big of a hurry to obey the law and stop for me. Sadly, this is an all too common scenario for pedestrians versus motor vehicles.
Traffic related pedestrian accidents can cause serious, sometimes fatal, injuries. Pedestrians who are walking or riding a bike don’t have the same protection that occupants of a vehicle have. Accidents between a pedestrian and a motor vehicle often result in exorbitant medical bills and can have a devastating impact on families.
For example, I represented the family of a landscaper who, while mowing the lawn one workday, was run over by a negligent driver. His family was faced with the lifelong pain of losing a loved one, as well as his medical costs and loss of income. In some cases, injured pedestrians may need lifelong care and be faced with the fear of how to pay for that care. As a pedestrian accident lawyer, I can help you and your family recover fully for what the law permits.
Pedestrian Accidents in Macon, Georgia
Pedestrian fatalities have been rising over the past decade. Factors that sometimes play a role in the outcome of a pedestrian accident includes the time of day the accident occurred (more fatalities occur in low lighting) and the location of the accident (urban vs. rural areas).
Another factor to consider is in what part of the country the accident occurred. Recent data shows that the most dangerous cities for pedestrians are in the South or West. Of the 200 largest cities considered, Macon placed in the #10 position for the highest pedestrian fatalities, with 4.4 pedestrians killed per 100,000 people. That’s 2.6x higher than the U.S. average. Atlanta came in at #14 and Savannah at #25. That’s three cities in Georgia that made the top 25.
Safety Tips
Nearly half of all traffic crashes that resulted in pedestrian fatalities involved alcohol. However, data shows there may be a correlation between the increased use of smartphones and the increase in pedestrian fatalities. While there’s not enough evidence to directly support this idea, the statistics show that as cell phone use has risen, so have pedestrian fatalities. Accidents that occur because of smartphone use were the result of:
- Drivers talking or texting while driving and not noticing pedestrians in crosswalks or on the side of the road
- Pedestrians texting on a mobile phone while walking & not noticing oncoming cars
Besides alcohol and smartphones, other causes of pedestrian accidents include:
- Careless Drivers – speeding, running stop signs or traffic lights, weaving in/out of traffic, etc.
- Drowsy Driving
- Driving in low light conditions
- No sidewalks – it forces pedestrians to walk on the side of the road
- Not using crosswalks
Ways you can protect yourself if you are out and about walking or riding a bicycle:
- Wear bright clothing
- Have reflective devices on your shoes or bike
- Carry a lit flashlight in the dark
- Don’t text and walk
- Stay sober
- Use the crosswalk
- Look both ways before crossing
- Never assume a driver has seen you
Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Gautreaux Law has the proven experience to successfully represent pedestrians who have been injured by negligent drivers. Our Macon pedestrian accident lawyer focuses on getting full and fair financial compensation for injured pedestrians and their families. Contact us today for a free consultation to see if you may have a case. We represent injured pedestrians throughout the state of Georgia. 478-832-5727 or toll free at 888-876-6935