Athens GA Pedestrian Injury Attorney

Skilled Pedestrian Injury Lawyers Serving Athens, Georgia

Georgia is well-known for its underdeveloped crosswalks and sidewalks, especially in northeast Georgia where many neighborhoods lack safe crossing areas for residents heading to work, school, or church. Several major roads are also missing sidewalks, leading to unfortunate incidents where pedestrians have been hit by drivers straying from their lanes. Tragically, many of these victims are children. If you or a loved one are ever affected by such an incident, our pedestrian injury attorneys in Athens are here to assist you.

Important Laws To Know If You Are Hit By A Car In Athens-Clarke County Georgia

Under Georgia law, specifically O.C.G.A. § 40-6-93, drivers are required to exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians. This includes taking appropriate precautions when they see children or any individual who appears to be confused, incapacitated, or intoxicated.

Additionally, O.C.G.A. § 40-6-92 addresses situations involving jaywalking and crossing streets. According to this law, pedestrians must yield to vehicles if they are not yet in the crosswalk when a car is approaching. However, if a pedestrian is already in the crosswalk, they have the right of way. This distinction is crucial for both drivers and pedestrians to understand.

Another part of the law allows pedestrians to legally cross the street at a location without a crosswalk, provided there is no traffic light at either end of the street segment they are crossing, with “end” referring to the next cross street.

Our Athens car accident attorneys are knowledgeable about these laws and can offer expert legal assistance in cases involving auto accidents.

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Athens, GA

Pedestrian accidents in Athens, GA, are unfortunately common, and they stem from various causes.

Inadequate Infrastructure

One primary factor is the inadequate infrastructure, including poorly developed crosswalks and sidewalks. Many neighborhoods lack safe crossings, forcing pedestrians to navigate dangerous roads without proper protection. This issue is compounded by the absence of sidewalks on several major roads, increasing the risk of pedestrians being struck by vehicles.

Driver Behavior

Another significant cause is driver behavior. Speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks are frequent contributors to accidents. Distracted driving, often due to mobile phone use, diverts a driver’s attention away from the road, making it easier to overlook pedestrians. Additionally, aggressive driving and disregard for traffic signals can lead to severe incidents, especially in busy areas with high foot traffic.

Pedestrian Behavior

Pedestrian behavior also plays a role in these accidents. Jaywalking, crossing streets without using designated crosswalks, and not obeying traffic signals can put pedestrians in harm’s way. The lack of awareness or misunderstanding of traffic laws can further exacerbate these dangers.

Visibility Issues

Moreover, visibility issues contribute to pedestrian accidents. Poor lighting conditions at night or during bad weather can make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians. Similarly, pedestrians wearing dark clothing at night are at a higher risk of not being seen by drivers.

Alcohol Use

Lastly, alcohol use by both drivers and pedestrians is a notable cause. Intoxicated drivers have impaired reaction times and judgment, while intoxicated pedestrians may misjudge distances or step into traffic unexpectedly.

Solutions

Addressing these issues requires a combined effort of improving infrastructure, enforcing traffic laws, and raising awareness about safe behaviors for both drivers and pedestrians.

Meet Our Attorneys

Christopher Simon

Lead Trial Attorney

Christopher Simon brings more than 25 years of legal experience to helping families navigate the challenges that follow serious injuries and tragic losses. His early career defending insurance companies gives him unique insight into how claims are evaluated, allowing him to better protect the interests of injured children and their loved ones.

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Harrison Wade Spires

Trial Attorney

Harrison Wade Spires is committed to helping individuals and families who have suffered serious injuries or lost a loved one due to negligence. Since 2009, he has represented clients in Georgia courts with diligence and care. His prior experience defending corporations allows him to anticipate challenges and build stronger cases for his clients.

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Tyler H. Bridgers

Trial Attorney

Tyler H. Bridgers focuses his practice on representing individuals and families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. He handles serious injury and wrongful death cases throughout Georgia and has helped recover significant compensation for clients harmed by negligence.

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Contact an Athens GA Pedestrian Injury Attorney

If you or someone close to you is involved in a car accident in Athens and the driver denies responsibility for the injuries, having eyewitness testimony and physical evidence can be crucial. In some instances, we’ve been able to obtain surveillance footage from nearby businesses to support our cases. However, more often than not, a reliable eyewitness is the most helpful evidence you can have. If you’re injured, it’s important to seek medical attention right away and document your injuries, as well as any police reports related to the incident.

For any specific questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us and ask for Christopher Simon, our Athens pedestrian injury attorney.