Roadway Safety Reports Suggest Unsafe Roads Responsible for Georgia Pedestrian-Car Accidents
Our Atlanta car accident lawyers discuss two separate traffic and pedestrian safety reports that provide an analysis of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. for both pedestrians and vehicle occupants. The good news is that Georgia cities does not rank in the top 10 most dangerous cities for pedestrian accidents. Unfortunately, the rest of the news is mostly bad.
The Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta ranks eleventh among the most dangerous cities for pedestrians while Augusta-Richmond County, GA ranks third amongst most dangerous driving cities in the U.S. The findings are the result of two independent reports. The ranking of most dangerous pedestrian cities comes from the "Dangerous by Design" while the unsafe driving city list was released and published on CNBC.com.
The issue of pedestrian safety is one often covered in this blog because Georgia has obtained some fame, or more accurately, notoriety for having some of the most dangerous areas in the U.S. for pedestrians. A documentary produced by Transportation for America focused on Buford Highway as one of the most dangerous stretches of roadway in the U.S. While there are unsafe drivers in every state, Georgia appears to have more than its fair share.
The Transportation for America study was based on what it characterized as a Pedestrian Danger Index (PDI). The death rate in the U.S. per 100,000 is 1.6, which is much higher than many other wide open countries like Canada (1.1) or Australia (0.9). The report indicates that the difference is not based specifically on differences in driving behaviors but in deficiencies in urban planning and roadway design. The authors of the study indicate that public entities that are responsible for urban planning, particularly in the South, have not been proactive about improvements to infrastructure that could make streets safer to pedestrians.
The report ranking the Augusta Richmond County, GA area as the third most dangerous for drivers will do little to support the notion that Georgia public planners are proactive about safety, particularly coming on the heals of the negative pedestrian safety reports. The CNBC report used traffic fatality rates in its ranking of the most dangerous cities for drivers. The report considered cities with populations of 150,000 or more. The study analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).
When public entities are negligent in the design, construction or maintenance of roadways, the government entity potentially can be liable for accidents where a defective road plays a substantial factor in causing the auto accident. However, there are special procedures and time limits that apply when an individual sues a public entity for damages. When these special requirements are not satisfied, an injury victim with a valid claim can be barred from recovering against a government entity.
For more than 39 years, the Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers at Montlick & Associates have been fighting for the rights of accident victims, as part of their their goal to be the best personal injury law firm in the United States. If you or someone close to you has suffered serious injury after an automobile or pedestrian accident, contact Montlick & Associates to learn about your legal rights and the steps that need to be taken to protect those rights.
Montlick and Associates has been representing those who suffer serious injuries throughout all of Georgia and in the Southeast for over thirty years, including but not limited to all towns, cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.