Pedestrian And DUI Accidents in Atlanta

Drunk drivers can injure more than other motor vehicle operators and passengers. Unfortunately, in catastrophic cases, drunk drivers sometimes injure pedestrians who are walking along the road at the time of the accident

A heartbreaking example just occurred when a motor vehicle driver who was under the influence of alcohol crossed a dividing line, struck another vehicle, lost control, and resultantly struck three children. One of the children is currently brain dead and not expected to live while the other two children were substantially injured during the accident.

Despite injuries to each of these children, the intoxicated motorist still attempted to flee the scene of the accident but subsequently struck another motor vehicle before eventually stopping. The intoxicated motor vehicle was later arrested and charged with three counts of serious injury by vehicle, reckless driving, driving on the wrong side of the road, and possession of a controlled substance.

It was later discovered that this driver had a history of drug charges. While this accident involved a motorist who operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs, many similar accidents occur each year in Georgia involving motorists who abuse alcohol.

The Rising Rate Of Pedestrian Accidents

Surprisingly, pedestrian accidents comprise a substantial amount of traffic collisions each year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that there were 69,000 pedestrians injured by traffic collisions in 2011. Unfortunately, there were 11,000 individuals under the age of fourteen who were wounded in these types of an accident with males representing sixty-five percent of the 11,000 injured.

As a result, male children like the individuals who were injured in this most recent accident by age and sex represent ten percent of the pedestrians injured in traffic collisions. The most difficult part about these types of accidents is that many of these accidents can be avoided if proper precautions are taken. Even more unfortunately, the number of pedestrians injured in traffic collisions appears to be on the rise

Steps That Pedestrians Can Take To Increase Safety

While these steps will not completely eliminate the dangers of being struck by a motorist who abuses drugs or alcohol, pedestrians can follow some basic advice to reduce the chances of being injured by an intoxicated motor vehicle driver.

  • Be Prepared Prior To Walking. Pedestrians should make sure to take steps to ensure that a motor vehicle driver will notice the pedestrians. Some specific precautions to ensure that a pedestrian is seen include wearing bright clothing and avoiding walking in places where the light is poor. Pedestrians should also plan to walk on routes with the least amount of traffic and the most noticeable separation between pedestrians and motor vehicle drivers.
  • Understand The Causes of Pedestrian Vehicle Crashes. In appreciating that many pedestrians are injured by driver who operate motor vehicles while intoxicated, pedestrians can be mindful about driving patterns that demonstrate a dangerous driver and can take steps to avoid being struck if these patterns are observed.
  • Walk Defensively. Pedestrians should make sure to remain focused and alert while walking in order to anticipate what motor vehicle drivers might do. 

How Legal Counsel Can Help

If you have been involved in a DUI accident in which a pedestrian was injured, do not hesitate to contact an experienced Atlanta DUI attorney at Yeargan & Kert, LLC who can help navigate the various issues that arise in your case.