Urban Growth and Infrastructure Challenges
Atlanta’s urban sprawl and construction boom have created conditions that increase risk for pedestrians. As streets widen to accommodate more cars, sidewalks shrink—or vanish entirely. In some neighborhoods, pedestrians are forced to walk on the edge of active roadways without any safe buffer. While new developments try to improve walkability, many older areas still lack basic safety infrastructure.
When sidewalks are incomplete, intersections lack proper signage, or crosswalks aren’t clearly marked, the chances of an accident increase significantly. In these areas, even attentive pedestrians are vulnerable to being struck, especially during high-traffic hours.
High Foot Traffic Zones (Downtown, Midtown, School Areas)
Pedestrian accidents in Atlanta are most common in areas with constant foot traffic and high vehicle volume. Busy intersections near business districts, school zones, parks, and MARTA stations are especially dangerous. Peachtree Street, Piedmont Avenue, and North Avenue are just a few of the streets where pedestrians face serious risks.
In school areas, children and families crossing the street are frequently exposed to careless drivers. Many of these areas lack adequate signage or crossing guards, compounding the dangers. Even with crosswalks in place, pedestrian safety depends heavily on driver awareness and responsibility.
Contributing Factors: Speeding, Distractions, and Driver Negligence
A major factor in pedestrian deaths and injuries is vehicle speed. When a car is traveling over 35 miles per hour and strikes a person, the chance of survival drops drastically. Speeding in residential neighborhoods or near crosswalks has led to countless avoidable tragedies.
Distracted driving, especially texting behind the wheel, is another leading cause of crashes. When drivers take their eyes off the road—even briefly—they may fail to notice someone crossing the street. In other cases, alcohol or drugs play a role in lowering a driver’s ability to react in time, putting lives at risk.
Pedestrians aren’t always without fault. Crossing the street outside of crosswalks, ignoring traffic signals, or walking while distracted by phones or headphones can also contribute to an accident. That’s why creating awareness on both sides—drivers and pedestrians—is essential for improving safety. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified distracted driving and urban sprawl as key contributors to the nationwide rise in pedestrian deaths.
2023 Statistics on Atlanta Pedestrian Accidents
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, there were approximately 450 pedestrian accidents in Atlanta in 2023. Among these:
- 35 resulted in pedestrian fatalities
- Over 100 caused serious injuries
- Dozens more required hospital care for moderate injuries
Most of these accidents occurred in high-traffic neighborhoods such as Downtown and Buckhead, with intersections and busy streets being the most common points of impact. Atlanta continues to see a rising trend in hit-and-run cases, with nearly 1 in 6 accidents involving a driver fleeing the scene. These cases make it harder for injured victims to secure compensation for medical bills or lost wages, especially if they don’t have an attorney helping them track down the responsible party.
Understanding Georgia’s Pedestrian Laws (2024 Update)
Right of Way Laws (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-91)
Georgia law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at intersections. Even at unmarked crosswalks—commonly found at residential street corners—drivers have a legal duty to slow down or stop when a pedestrian is crossing.
If a pedestrian is hit while legally crossing the street, the driver is likely to be held accountable. However, pedestrians also have a duty not to enter the roadway suddenly or when vehicles are too close to stop safely. In these cases, a court may find both parties partially at fault for the accident.
Pedestrian Responsibilities
Georgia law also places responsibilities on pedestrians to ensure traffic safety. Pedestrians are expected to:
- Use sidewalks when they’re available
- Cross the street only at designated crosswalks or intersections
- Obey the walk and don’t walk signals
- Avoid crossing streets under the influence of alcohol or drugs
When these rules are broken, pedestrians may be considered partially responsible for an accident. For example, a pedestrian who walks across a four-lane street without using a crosswalk and gets struck may be denied compensation, or see it significantly reduced, due to their share of fault.
Comparative Negligence in Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33)
Georgia follows the rule of comparative negligence, which means multiple parties can share responsibility for an accident. A pedestrian can still recover compensation even if they were partly at fault, as long as they are less than 50% responsible.
If the court finds that a pedestrian was 20% responsible for the accident, their final compensation would be reduced by 20%. This legal principle applies to settlement negotiations, insurance claims, and trial outcomes alike. It’s one of the reasons why it’s important to contact a pedestrian accident lawyer early. Evidence from the scene, witness statements, and police reports are critical in proving fault.
Common Types of Pedestrian Accident Scenarios
Hit in a Marked Crosswalk
One of the most common types of pedestrian accidents in Atlanta is when someone is struck while using a marked crosswalk. These incidents often occur when a driver fails to yield during a turn or drives through an intersection without checking for pedestrians. Because the pedestrian typically has the right of way, these accidents often lead to strong legal claims.
Accidents Near Public Transit Stops (MARTA, School Buses)
MARTA bus stops and school loading zones are frequent sites of pedestrian accidents. When drivers don’t slow down near bus stops or school zones, they risk hitting people as they exit or approach vehicles. Children are particularly vulnerable near school buses, where visibility and reaction times are often limited.
Distracted Driver Incidents
Drivers who are texting, adjusting GPS, or looking away from the road are significantly more likely to cause a pedestrian accident. These cases often involve straight-line travel on a clear street, where the only explanation for the crash is driver inattention.
High-Speed or Impaired Driving
High-speed crashes are often fatal, especially for pedestrians. When a car is traveling too fast, the force of impact causes devastating injuries—even if the driver slams the brakes. When drivers are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, their delayed response times and impaired judgment make these accidents even more likely. This is especially true in motorcycle-related incidents and other high-speed collisions.
Commercial Vehicle & Bus-Related Accidents
Larger vehicles such as commercial trucks, buses, and delivery vans pose added risks due to blind spots and wide turns. Pedestrians in crosswalks can be easily missed if a commercial vehicle is moving quickly or turning sharply. Vehicle and bus accidents often result in extensive injuries and may involve both the driver and the company that owns the vehicle.
What to Do Immediately After a Pedestrian Accident in Atlanta
