About 5,000 pedestrians are killed in auto accidents every year, roughly 11% of auto accident fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 70,000 pedestrians were injured in auto accidents in 2007. The human body stands little chance against a moving vehicle, and survivors often sustain life-altering injuries. Hit and run victims who could have survived often die due to delayed treatment. A hit and run victim may not be found for days.
Driver Responsibility
Poor visibility and dangerous behavior on the part of pedestrians play a role in many pedestrian accidents, but drivers have a responsibility to be on the lookout for pedestrians and are often at fault due to:
- Failure to use turn signals
- Failure to observe crosswalks
- Speeding
- Intoxication
- Distractions such as cell phone use
Hit and Run
Injuries in hit and run accidents may be worse than they would have been with immediate medical attention and may even result in wrongful death. Finding drivers responsible for hit and run auto accidents requires extensive investigation, but in many cases they can be found and held responsible both criminally and in a personal injury lawsuit.
Recovering From Your Injuries
The injuries incurred in a pedestrian/vehicle accident can require extensive medical treatment and survivors may be permanently disabled. Just compensation for your injuries may be the only way that you can afford the treatment that you need. You may also be entitled to compensation for income lost during your recovery and future losses if you are not able to return to work; income that you and your family depend on to survive.
If you or someone you love has been hit by a car in the Atlanta, Georgia area, please contact the experienced auto accident attorneys at Robbins Law, PC to schedule a consultation today.