It’s springtime in Georgia, a beautiful time of the year in the south and a great time to walk places – to and from work, to visit stores and restaurants, or for exercise. Many Georgia citizens opt for walking instead of using vehicles or public transportation – for financial, practical, and/or health-related reasons.
Pedestrian Safety Tips
Whatever your reasoning or need for being a pedestrian, it is critical that you follow several safety tips if you’re going to be walking along busy roads. According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, 279 pedestrians were “fatally injured” in 2020 in our state.1 The cost to treat individuals involved in vehicle-related/pedestrian injuries (at hospitals and emergency rooms) totaled $172 million in Georgia that same year.2.
So how can pedestrians protect themselves? In addition to following all laws, traffic signals, and signs, those on foot can heed these tips provided by the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety3:
- Utilizing sidewalks (instead of roadways) where available
- Facing traffic when walking along roads without sidewalks
- Avoiding using electronic devices and headphones while walking to ensure you’re fully aware of your surroundings and any oncoming traffic
- Making sure you’re easily seen by wearing bright colors during the day and reflective clothing at night
A complete list of their tips can be found here.
What to Do If You’re Injured as a Pedestrian
If the unthinkable happens and you find yourself (or a loved one) seriously injured as a result of being a pedestrian who has been hit by a motor vehicle, contact the team at Mayo | Hill immediately. Our personal injury attorneys specialize in auto-related accidents, including those impacting pedestrians.
We know that if you or a loved one are injured, you will need to focus on recovering and healing from your injuries. Allow our attorneys to handle the rest – dealing with mounting medical bills, negotiating with insurance companies and their attorneys, and fighting to get you the recovery you deserve. Call Mayo | Hill at 478-238-9898 and let our 21st Century Law Firm go to work for you.
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