Pedestrian accidents

Published on: April 25, 2011

Georgia Needs to Work on Preventing Bicycle Accidents and Pedestrian Accidents this summer

Georgia has some of the lowest rates of bicycling in the US.That probably has something to do with the fact that this is one of the most dangerous states for bicyclists in the country.In fact, Georgia ranks at number eight nationwide for the number of bicycle accident deaths and, of course, these means there are also a significant number of injuries.As any Atlanta injury attorney will tell you, the state is not much safer for pedestrians either.According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Metro Atlanta region is the 10th most dangerous metropolitan area for pedestrians in the country.This summer, the Georgia Department of Transportation needs to focus on how to reduce pedestrian accident and bicycle accident deaths.

There’s no doubt that a pedestrian in Atlanta is at serious risk of injuries in an accident.For example in Georgia, pedestrian accidents make up just 1% of all traffic accidents, but these deaths account for 10% of all traffic accident fatalities every year.

Few cities in the country have the kind of congested traffic that Atlanta has, and pedestrians and bicyclists have a big role to play in relieving some of this traffic.It’s the reason why Atlanta bicycle accident lawyers believe in the need to encourage bicycling and walking as sustainable, efficient, and most importantly, safe means of transportation.However, encouraging biking in Georgia has been an upward climb, because of the high risk of injuries to bicyclists here.

Published on: April 13, 2011

IIHS Study Analyzes Use of Technology to Prevent Atlanta Pedestrian Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has come out with a new study that promotes traffic safety initiatives of the kind Atlanta pedestrian accident attorneys have been advocating for too -the use of technology to prevent pedestrian accidents. As an Atlanta injury lawyer, I have seen a significant number of car accidents involving pedestrians. These auto accidents often involve serious personal injuries and many times result in the wrongful death of the pedestrian. Any technology that decreases the number of pedestrian accidents is a welcome innovation.

The Insurance Institute has studied technologies that can help prevent these accidents, and for this, it has analyzed the most common kinds of pedestrian accident scenarios.Between 2005 and 2009, 224,000 pedestrians were involved in front-impact accidents involving single passenger vehicles.Out of these 13,193 pedestrians were killed.

According to the Insurance Institute, the most common kinds of pedestrian accident scenarios involve a person crossing the road, and a car traveling straight ahead towards the pedestrian.In these cases, the motorist has a clear view of the pedestrian, but is unable to stop in time.The Insurance Institute study is promoting the use of forward collision warning systems, including pedestrian technology, to prevent these accidents.Forward collision warning systems have been very popular for some time now.These systems allow the driver to detect an object that is in the path of the car, thereby encouraging him to apply the brakes, and prevent an accident.Some of these systems now come with pedestrian detection technology that enables the driver to detect not only an object, but also a pedestrian in the car’s path.

Published on: March 24, 2011

Why Atlanta’s Senior Motorists May Be at a Higher Risk of Pedestrian Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

As Atlanta pedestrian accident attorneys, we often come across cases involving pedestrians seriously injured in accidents caused by senior motorists.A new study conducted by Israeli researchers suggests that elder drivers may suffer from an inability to see things in their peripheral vision that prevents them from seeing pedestrians on the curb or sidewalk. This increases the likelihood of a pedestrian accident. Of course, auto accidents involving pedestrians often involve the most serious injuries.

The study came out of a spike in pedestrian accidents involving senior motorists in Israel.The researchers were looking at the specific challenges an elderly motorist faces as far as pedestrian safety is concerned.The researchers placed older motorists in a simulator, and measured their responses to vital safety signals.

They found that drivers above the age of 65 were half as likely to spot a pedestrian as younger drivers.Not only that, they also found that senior motorists were just half as likely to tap the brakes when they spotted a pedestrian on the curb or sidewalk, as younger drivers.This signifies one of two things-either these motorists don’t spot a pedestrian in time to react, or they don’t consider pedestrians a serious accident hazard.Either of these theories spells danger for any pedestrian in the path of an elderly motorist.

Published on: February 4, 2011

Difference in Perception May Increase Accident Risks among Elderly Drivers in Atlanta

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Elderly drivers in Atlanta may be plagued by a variety of health issues, like failing vision that can increase their risk of an auto accident. However, new research suggests that vision problems among the elderly may be much more complicated than simply failing eyesight. The study seems to suggest that the elderly have trouble seeing objects in the foreground, which increases the risk of an accident with pedestrians and bicyclists. Of course, pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents generally result in extremely serious injuries.

The study was conducted at the University of Rochester, and found that older people have impaired activity in the medial temporal visual area of the brain. This part of the brain suppresses movement in the background, so that the person can focus clearly on objects in the foreground. In elderly people, this section of the brain may be impaired. They may find it easy to perceive movement in the background, but not so easy to see objects that are in the foreground. That is why Atlanta car accident attorneys so often find elderly motorists involved in accidents with pedestrians and bicyclists.

The researchers used a technique called Transcranial Magnetics Stimulation, which involved attaching a magnetic card to the subject’s head, and measuring the activity of the MT area of the brain. The MT area was stimulated using electrical signals, and the researchers analyzed how well the subjects in the study identified the movement of objects. They found that when the MT area of the brain was impaired, the person could readily and easily identify objects in the background.

Published on: February 2, 2011

Cobb County Bus Driver Charged after Pedestrian Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The driver of a Cobb CountyTransit bus, which was involved in a serious pedestrian accident last week that left a pedestrian with an amputated leg, has now been charged. Atlanta police have charged the driver, Jean Lewis with failure to yield to a pedestrian on a crosswalk and failure to exercise due care. Of course, pedestrian accidents are more often involve the most serious injuries.

Lewis was driving a Cobb County transit bus when it struck a 54-year-old pedestrian. The bus struck the woman as it was turning left at a light. According to witnesses, the woman apparently saw the bus pulling out of the Hamilton Holmes Marta Station, and tried to walk faster, but she was struck by the rear of the bus, and fell to the ground. She suffered a severe leg and a broken ankle. According to Cobb County Representatives, the driver will be removed from service, pending completion of the investigation.

This pedestrian accident comes as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports on an increase in pedestrian wrongful deaths around the country. The increase is minimal, just .4%, but it comes after four continuous years of declining pedestrian accident deaths.

Published on: January 27, 2011

Slight Decrease in Pedestrian Accident Deaths in Atlanta and throughout Georgia

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

There was a slight drop in the number of pedestrians deaths in auto accidents in Georgia in the first half of 2010. Last year, we had 77 pedestrian deaths in the first six months in auto accidents, compared to 78 pedestrian deaths in 2009. That is a very tiny decrease, but it is still better than the overall national picture, which actually shows an increase in pedestrian deaths in 2010.

Across the country, there was a .4% increase in pedestrian accident fatalities in the first six months of 2010. That increase came after several half-yearly estimates that showed a decline in pedestrian accident deaths over the past four years. The feds are at a loss to explain this increase. . An increase of .4% may not seem like much, but for any Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyer, any sudden spike like this should sound alarm bells.

One of the theories that are being thrown about for this increase in pedestrian accident fatalities, is simply more numbers of people taking to the streets. First Lady Michelle Obama has a nationwide anti-obesity campaign in full swing, and part of that includes Americans getting out of their cars and walking to work. Besides, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is pointing to an increasing number of pedestrians plugged to their music systems, smart phones and other gadgets while walking. A distracted pedestrian is at a much higher risk of being injured in an accident.

Published on: December 11, 2010

Feds Propose Back Over Cameras to Prevent Pedestrian Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Every year, approximately 228 people are killed in back over pedestrian accidents that are caused when drivers are backing out their cars, and fail to notice pedestrians behind. Approximately 100 of those wrongful deaths every year include little children, who are tragically killed when their parents are backing out of the garage and run over them. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has now proposed backup camera systems that would prevent such accidents.

According to the NHTSA, more than 70,000 injuries occur in back over pedestrian accidents every year. Of these, more than 2,000 injuries involve little children. According to the federal agency, every year, between 95 and 112 lives could be saved in back over pedestrian accidents if such cameras are mandated in all vehicles. Besides, installation of these cameras could prevent up to 8,300 injuries. The NHTSA plans to require automakers to have these backup camera systems installed in 10% of their vehicles by September 2012, 40% of their vehicles by September 2013, and in all their vehicles by September 2014.

The biggest tragedy in most back over accidents involving children, is that the person driving the car is usually a parent, grandparent or a close relative. These pedestrian accidents often involve bigger vehicles, like sports utility vehicles and minivans. These vehicles are also heavily popular with families. Blind spots in a motorist’s rear vision may block a little child who is playing, walking or standing behind a car, with terrible consequences.

Published on: November 11, 2010

Accident Risks Increase with Daylight Savings Time

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The end of daylight saving time and the setting of clocks an hour back, could mean an increased risk of auto and other accidents in Atlanta, especially those involving pedestrians.That warning comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is cautioning motorists in Georgia and around the country to take special care to avoid pedestrians.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, out of the 4,092 pedestrian fatalities that occurred last year, 25 percent occurred between 4 PM and 8 PM, while 13 percent occurred between 4 AM and 8 AM.These are some of the most dangerous times for motorists and pedestrians.As motorists get used to the new low-light driving conditions, they are much more likely to miss pedestrians walking on the street.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is warning that adjusting to the new driving conditions can take time, and voters may be disoriented, confused or just plain distracted during these times.

It’s important for motorists to look out especially carefully for pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks.Make sure that your windshield, mirrors and windows are clean, so that you can see pedestrians and other motorists.Remember that many pedestrians are wearing earmuffs and hats at this time of the year, and may not be able to hear your vehicle.Slow down speeds.

Published on: October 29, 2010

Halloween Safety Tips to Prevent Georgia Pedestrian Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Children in Georgia, who are out trick-or-treating on Halloween, have an increased risk of being involved in a pedestrian accident.According to the NHTSA, more than 4,000 children between 5 and 14 are injured every year in pedestrian accidents on Halloween.

Both parents and motorists have a big role to play in keeping children safe over Halloween by preventing pedestrian accidents.If your child is trick-or-treating on Halloween, make sure that there’s an escort with the children at all times.Explain all traffic safety rules to your child.Avoid dressing up a child in large and cumbersome costumes that can pose a potential slip and fall hazard.The costumes must be simple, but as colorful as possible.Bright colors can help a driver see your child in the dark.If that’s not possible, stick some reflective tape on the costume.Try and avoid masks and large hats as much as possible.These may obstruct your child’s vision, and he may fail to notice an approaching car.Facial makeup can easily substitute for a mask. Children must also avoid trick-or-treating in unlit or busy areas.

Motorists can do their bit by being aware that there are hundreds of children out there for whom safety might be a low priority. Unless it is it absolutely essential, avoid driving on Halloween night.If you have to drive, make sure that you are extra focused and alert.Avoid driving under the influence of alcohol, and switch off all distractions while driving.That includes your music system, your GPS navigation system and your cell phones and Blackberry/iPhones.Look out especially hard for children at crowded intersections or near crosswalks.Watch out for children who may suddenly dart into the road.

Published on: September 11, 2010

Atlanta Is Most Dangerous City in the World for Pedestrians

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Atlanta Is Most Dangerous City in the World for Pedestrians

GOOD magazine has taken pedestrian fatality statistics from 21 international cities, and has ranked them on safety.It isn’t surprising, but still a matter of shame to us, that that the city of Atlanta has been named the most dangerous in the world for those who wish to walk.

In Atlanta, according to the study, there are 10.97 pedestrian fatalities for every 100,000 pedestrians.Most of the other positions on the list are also taken up by American cities, outlining the danger pedestrians in the US face compared to those in some European and Asian cities.Detroit, Los Angeles, Baltimore Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington, Milwaukee, San Francisco, Boston and Seattle occupied the other top positions on the list.New York and Portland seem to be some of the safest large cities in the US for pedestrians.Even Tokyo with its heavy density of population seems to be a much safer city for pedestrians than most American cities.