Georgia is notorious for having poorly developed crosswalks and sidewalks. Many of our neighborhoods in northeast Georgia do not have a safe place for people to cross as they go to work, school, and Church. Some major roads do not have sidewalks and we have unfortunately had to help a number of victims who were struck by drivers veering out of their lane. Sadly, a great number of pedestrian victims are children. If this happens to you or a loved one, our Athens pedestrian injury attorneys can help.
In the official Georgia Code, a pedestrian should look to O.C.G.A. § 40-6-93 which says that drivers should “…exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian…and shall exercise proper precautions upon observing any child or any obviously confused, incapacitated, or intoxicated person.”
Another law that provides direction to car drivers is O.C.G.A. § 40-6-92, which deals with jaywalking and crossing the street. Because of that law, people crossing the street, even in a crosswalk, are supposed to yield to cars unless they are already in the crosswalk. In other words, if a car is coming and you are not in the street yet, you must yield to the car. If you are already in the street, you have the right of way. Our Athens car accident attorneys are also well-versed in the legality of auto accidents and can assist in your case.
Under another part of the law, it is legal to cross the street without a crosswalk if there is not a traffic light at both ends of the street you are on, the “end” is the next cross street.
When you or a loved one are involved in a car accident in Athens and the driver claims they did not cause the injury, eyewitness testimony and physical evidence can be critical. In some cases, we have secured surveillance camera tapes from local businesses. In most situations though, the best you can hope for is a good eyewitness. If you are injured, be sure to seek medical help immediately and keep a record of your injuries and any police reports.
If you have specific questions please call and ask for Athens pedestrian injury attorney, Christopher Simon.
