Pedestrian accidents are common in and around Atlanta. On fast-moving highways, walkers often take their lives in their hands. Recently, a pedestrian was hit and killed in the early hours of the morning in DeKalb County.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported the fatal accident occurred on Bouldercrest Road south of I-285, in September.
Police identified the victim as Travis Wright, 53, of Ellenwood. He was trying to cross the road when he was struck by a Ford Explorer.
Every year, pedestrians make up more than 10 percent of total traffic fatalities in the United States.
Pedestrian was hit in DeKalb County
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states in 2010, for example, 4,280 pedestrians lost their lives and 70,000 were injured in traffic crashes.
In its Traffic Safety Fact Sheet, the NHTSA defined a pedestrian as any person on foot, walking, running, hiking, jogging, sitting or lying down who is involved in a motor vehicle crash.
The 4,280 pedestrian fatalities in 2010 marked a rise of 4 percent from 2009, but a decrease of 13 percent from 2001. In 2010, pedestrian deaths accounted for 13 percent of all traffic fatalities.
Although cities are slowly improving their facilities for walkers, the number of pedestrian deaths remains fairly constant every year.
In 2016, pedestrian traffic fatalities rose by approximately 21 percent in Georgia compared to the previous year, according to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association.
An analysis of preliminary data found pedestrian traffic fatalities rose in 34 states and fell in 15 states and the District of Columbia.
Overall, the number of pedestrians who lost their lives last year rose by 11 percent compared to 2015. Alarmingly, this represented the largest annual increase in the number and percentage of pedestrian deaths in four decades.
Last year, 840 cyclists were killed on the roads of the United States. It’s alarming to read about these large increases at a time when cars are equipped with additional safety mechanisms and pedestrians are cyclists are protected by more laws than in the past.
Pedestrians who are hurt may have a right to sue the insurance company of an at-fault driver. Family members of a deceased pedestrian may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit. An Atlanta area personal injury lawyer can help you. Please contact us today.