Navigating Atlanta’s busy streets on foot can sometimes feel like running a gauntlet. Drivers are distracted by their phones, in a hurry to beat the traffic, or simply not paying attention, making crossing the street increasingly dangerous for pedestrians in our city.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you know firsthand how a split second can change your life forever. The road to recovery is long and challenging, but having a trusted pedestrian accident law firm by your side can make all the difference in getting the compensation and support you need.
So, where are pedestrian accidents most likely to occur in Atlanta? Let our pedestrian accident laywers examine some of the city’s most treacherous intersections and stretches of road. By raising awareness of these danger zones, we can hopefully encourage both drivers and pedestrians to exercise extra caution.
5 Most Dangerous Pedestrian Accident Locations in Atlanta
1. Buford Highway
This major thoroughfare is notorious for pedestrian accidents, especially along the stretch between Clairmont Road and Chamblee Tucker Road. High speeds, poor lighting, and a lack of sidewalks in some areas are a recipe for disaster. In fact, the Georgia Department of Transportation found that Buford Highway is the deadliest road for pedestrians in Georgia.
2. Peachtree Street in Midtown
You’d think drivers would be more attentive in the heart of the city, but sadly, that’s not always the case. The intersection of Peachtree Street and 14th Street is particularly hazardous, with multiple lanes of traffic and heavy foot traffic from nearby office buildings, restaurants, and shops. According to data from the Georgia Department of Transportation, there were 24 pedestrian fatalities at this intersection between 2015 and 2019.
3. Metropolitan Parkway in Southwest Atlanta
This major artery connecting downtown to the airport and points south sees heavy traffic at all hours. But it can feel like a real-life game of Frogger for pedestrians trying to cross the parkway’s six lanes. Crosswalks are few and far between, and drivers often exceed the posted speed limit. Georgia law requires drivers to stop and stay stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-91), but that doesn’t always happen in practice.
4. Moreland Avenue
This busy corridor on Atlanta’s east side is lined with restaurants, shops, and densely packed residential neighborhoods – which means lots of foot traffic. However, the avenue’s four lanes of fast-moving traffic make it tough for pedestrians to cross safely. Moreland and Mansfield Avenue intersection is especially dicey, with visibility issues and drivers jockeying for position.
5. North Avenue between Centennial Olympic Park and Georgia Tech
With attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Center for Civil and Human Rights drawing huge crowds, this section of North Avenue sees heavy pedestrian traffic. However, drivers exiting and entering the I-75/85 connector are often more focused on merging than looking out for people on foot. Under Georgia law, pedestrians have the right of way in marked crosswalks and at unmarked crosswalks at intersections where traffic signals are not in place (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-91).
Of course, this is just a sampling of Atlanta’s most pedestrian-unfriendly places. From Ponce de Leon Avenue to Piedmont Road and beyond, threats to pedestrians lurk around every corner. While we can take steps to protect ourselves, like only crossing at marked crosswalks and making eye contact with drivers before stepping off the curb, the reality is that pedestrian accidents can happen anytime, anywhere.
Why Are Atlanta Roads So Dangerous for Pedestrians?
The sad truth is that Atlanta’s streets are simply not designed with pedestrians in mind – and the results can be deadly. So, what makes walking in Atlanta so dangerous? It’s a perfect storm of factors, including:
- Speeding: Despite posted limits, many Atlanta drivers treat our city’s streets like their personal racetracks. In fact, speeding is a factor in nearly half of all pedestrian fatalities in Georgia, according to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.
- Distracted Driving: Distracted driving is a major problem in Atlanta, and it puts pedestrians at serious risk. Even a moment’s inattention can be the difference between life and death for a person on foot.
- Insufficient Infrastructure: Many of Atlanta’s streets lack basic pedestrian safety features like sidewalks, crosswalks, and adequate lighting. This forces pedestrians to walk in the roadway or cross at unsafe locations, putting them in harm’s way. And even where crosswalks do exist, they’re often poorly maintained or not well-marked.
- Confusing Intersections: Atlanta is famous for its five-point intersections and other quirky road configurations. While they may add character to our city, they can also create confusion for both drivers and pedestrians – leading to accidents.
- Inadequate Enforcement: Despite laws requiring drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and prohibiting speeding and distracted driving, enforcement is often lax. Without consistent consequences, drivers have little incentive to change their behavior.
Contact Our Atlanta Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Today
If you or someone you love has been struck by a vehicle, it’s essential to have an experienced Atlanta pedestrian accident attorney fighting for your rights. Your pedestrian accident lawyer can help you navigate the complex claims process, deal with the insurance companies, and ensure you’re fairly compensated for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
The road to recovery after a pedestrian accident is never easy. But you don’t have to walk it alone. Contact a trusted Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyer at Kim Law Firm by calling 404.JUST.WIN for a https://thekimlaw.com/#contact-form. Together, we can work to hold reckless drivers accountable and make our city’s streets safer for everyone.
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