One weekend last month was a particularly deadly one for pedestrians on the roads of multiple Georgia counties. Between Friday, Sept. 14 and the following day, four pedestrians were fatally struck. Three more suffered injuries.
A collision in Clayton County involved a truck being driven by a 16-year-old who police say stole the vehicle. Two teenage girls and a woman in her 40s suffered multiple injuries, including broken bones. One of the teens, who are both 17, suffered head trauma. According to police, the teenage boy behind the driver will likely be charged with multiple felonies.
One of the fatal crashes involved a 74-year-old woman who was hit while crossing multiple lanes of traffic in Athens. She had reportedly made it across six lanes when she was fatally struck by a van. Authorities said they were still investigating the incident and had so far not filed charges against the driver of the van.
In another tragic incident, a 40-year-old woman was struck by a hit-and-run driver. Atlanta Police were still trying to obtain information at last report. They and the family have asked anyone who witnessed the fatal collision or who has information about it to contact the authorities.
The death of a 63-year-old pedestrian seems to be a different type of situation. The victim was struck outside of a shopping center in DeKalb. Authorities say he was not within the crosswalk when he was struck. The driver stopped and remained at the scene. A police spokesperson says they are still investigating the incident. However, he said, “Traffic violations do not appear to be a factor.”
Charges are also not expected to be filed against the driver who fatally struck a 64-year-old pedestrian from Marietta while he was crossing the street. Details about that incident weren’t reported.
Every pedestrian-vehicle crash is unique. In some cases, the driver is clearly at fault. In others, the pedestrian may bear some amount of responsibility for not crossing the road in a designated crosswalk or crossing against traffic lights. However, if you or a loved one has suffered injuries in such a collision in which the driver is at least partially at fault, it’s wise to find out what your legal options are for seeking compensation.