Just yesterday, a man from Gainesville, Georgia was walking in Gwinnett County, Georgia and was hit and killed by a motor vehicle. Following the collision, the perpetrator then attempted to flee the scene but was subsequently stopped by police.
In 2015, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety compiled a list of people killed on Georgia's roadways and determined that a shocking 13% were pedestrians. That's 193 people killed, in that year alone, in auto accidents who weren't even in a car, truck, van or on a motorcycle.
Despite the fact that pedestrians almost always have the right-of-way, they are, unfortunately, difficult for most drivers to see. That's why it is imperative for pedestrians to make eye contact with the driver of any vehicle in an intersection before he/she cautiously attempts to cross. Be sure to, always, use a cross walk when available.
Furthermore, if you are going to choose to go for a walk or jog at night, be sure to make yourself as visible as possible by wearing bright-colored clothing and a reflective athletic shoe.
Of course, even taking every precaution imaginable won't reduce your risk to zero. There is always the possibility of someone who is simply negligent, reckless or even worse behind the wheel of a vehicle. As such, if you are hit by a car as a pedestrian, it is important to remember that you have legal rights and should consult with an attorney as soon as possible.
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