Study Shows Certain Populations Particularly At-Risk for GA Pedestrian Accidents

Recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) reveals that approximately 4,500 people per year are killed in pedestrian collisions with cars, trucks and SUVs while 70,000 are injured.

While Georgia pedestrians are particularly susceptible to accidents involving cars, trucks and SUVs, pedestrian accidents do not impact all populations equally. Certain groups based on age and ethnicity are more likely to be the victim of pedestrian accidents in Georgia based on their more limited options for transportation.

A report produced by Transport for America, which studies and makes recommendations for transportation safety, indicates that a third of all those who walk either do not or cannot drive. The study reveals that ethnic minorities, seniors, those with low incomes, the disabled, as well as children and young adolescents are more likely to be involved in Georgia pedestrian crashes resulting in serious injuries or wrongful death.

Among ethnic and racial minorities African-Americans and Hispanics spend a much higher percentage of time walking as opposed to driving. African-Americans walk 50 percent more than whites while Hispanics walk 40 percent more. According to the recent study, a CDC analysis revealed that Hispanics suffer a pedestrian fatality rate of 2.88 per 100,000 in population when compared to 1.78 for whites. This constitutes a 62 percent higher fatality rate for Hispanics. African-Americans fair even more poorly with a fatality rate of 3.01 or 70 percent higher than that for whites.

Age is an even more accurate indicator of pedestrian accidents and pedestrian fatalities. Those over the age of 65 are 66 percent more likely to be killed in pedestrian-car collisions than those under the age of 65. Seniors comprise 18 percent of all pedestrian fatalities though they constitute only 13 percent of the population. Those 75 years of age or older are twice as likely to be killed in a pedestrian incident where he or she is run down by a motor vehicle than those under the age of 65. The dangers to pedestrians in Georgia are particularly problematic for seniors, who can become house-bound if they are not able to walk safely.

At the other extreme, age is also a reliable predictor of Georgia pedestrian accidents involving children. Pedestrian accidents are the third leading cause of fatalities of children under the age of 14 according to data from the CDC. About 350 children per year are killed in fatal pedestrian accidents. The safety of child pedestrians is coming under increasing scrutiny because of the increasing child obesity epidemic. A survey conducted by the CDC reflected that 40 percent of children are not permitted to walk or bike to school because of concerns regarding traffic collisions.

The experienced Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyers at Montlick and Associates know that many residents of our metro area and throughout the state need to be able to walk. We are committed to representing those who are disproportionately injured and killed in pedestrian accidents in Georgia because of their reliance on walking as their primary means of transportation. If you or your loved one suffers serious injury or a loved one is a wrongful death victim in a fatal Atlanta pedestrian crash, the dedicated Georgia pedestrian accident lawyers at Montlick and Associates have been representing personal injury victims in Georgia for nearly 30 years.

Our Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyers are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller 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.