At Ashby Thelen Lowry, our Georgia personal injury attorneys know Atlanta’s rapid urban growth has transformed the city with new developments, increased traffic, and a surge in population. While these changes have brought economic opportunities and revitalized neighborhoods, they have also contributed to rising pedestrian and bicycle collision rates.
As the city becomes more congested, the interaction between vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists has intensified, leading to more crashes. Insufficient infrastructure, such as a lack of bike lanes and crosswalks, distracted driving, and increased traffic volume, has created a dangerous environment for those on foot or bike.
Here, we review the crash rates and how injury victims and their families can pursue the liable parties for their damages.
How Many Pedestrian and Bicycle Collisions Occur in Atlanta, Georgia?
The most common causes of vehicles hitting pedestrians and bicyclists in Georgia stem from a combination of driver negligence and insufficient infrastructure. Distracted driving, such as texting or using a phone, is a leading factor, causing drivers to miss crosswalks or cyclists in bike lanes. Speeding also significantly reduces the driver’s ability to stop in time to avoid a collision.
Additionally, failure to yield at crosswalks or intersections, especially when turning, frequently leads to crashes with pedestrians and bicyclists. In many areas, inadequate or poorly designed infrastructure—such as a lack of bike lanes, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals—further exacerbates the risk of collisions.
Finally, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs remains a significant cause of collisions, leading to impaired judgment and reaction times.
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, last year, Atlanta saw over:
- 1,600 pedestrian collisions, significantly resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.
- 300 bicycle collisions in the city occurred in high-traffic areas without designated bike lanes.
In addition, from 2010 to 2021, pedestrian fatalities in Georgia increased by 34%; bicycle collisions in Atlanta have increased by 25% over the last five years.
Georgia ranks 8th in the nation for pedestrian fatalities, and the Atlanta metropolitan area accounts for a large percentage of these incidents. Georgia ranks among the top states for bicycle-related fatalities nationally, and Atlanta’s growing traffic congestion plays a vital role in this troubling trend.
As Atlanta continues to expand, the city must prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety by improving infrastructure, enforcing traffic laws, and educating drivers and vulnerable road users on how to coexist safely in the urban environment.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Pedestrian and Bicycle Crashes, Injuries, and Fatalities in Atlanta, Georgia?
Negligent drivers are often held liable for the injuries and fatalities that result in pedestrian and bicycle crashes in Atlanta. Drivers have a duty of care to operate their vehicles safely and attentively, especially when sharing the road with vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists. Drivers who fail to uphold this responsibility can be held legally accountable.
In these cases, the injured party or the family of a deceased victim can file a personal injury or wrongful death claim against the driver to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. The legal process requires demonstrating that the driver’s negligence directly caused the crash and resulting injuries or fatalities.
We can help build your claim for success.
Contact our skilled Atlanta personal injury lawyers and support team at Ashby Thelen Lowry at (404) 777-7771 or online to schedule a free consultation. Taking this first step will safeguard your rights and empower you to make well-informed decisions about the course of your claim.