Walking is one of the greatest forms of transportation: It’s heart-healthy, it’s reliable and it helps you slow down and take in all the sights and sounds of your city. Living within walking distance of work, school, or neighborhood attractions adds to the livability of a place and helps connect communities. Unfortunately, a pedestrian is at a huge disadvantage when it comes to safety on roadways and intersections. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports there were 5,987 pedestrian deaths in 2016. This number is one that was particularly alarming, as pedestrians were one of the few groups of road users to experience an increase in fatalities in the United States.
The NHTSA also reports a pedestrian is killed every 1.5 hours in traffic crashes in the United States. This alarming statistic shows the roads can be very dangerous for a pedestrian at any time.
If you are walking, driving, or riding your bike and witness a pedestrian being hit by a truck or a passenger vehicle, it’s important you know exactly what to do to assist the pedestrian. Following is what to do should you witness an accident involving a pedestrian.
FIRST, MAKE SURE THE PEDESTRIAN IS MOVED TO SAFETY
First things first – it’s important the pedestrian who was hit is moved to safety from the roadway. Pedestrians are likely to be more significantly hurt during an accident than a driver or passenger in a truck or car, so it’s crucial to call 9-1-1 for medical treatment immediately. Even if the pedestrian insists they are fine, you never know what kinds of internal injuries they could have that could present later.
TAKE DOWN THEIR VEHICLE’S LICENSE PLATE, MAKE AND MODEL
If you witness a pedestrian accident and the driver makes a run for it, try to get a picture or write down the license plate number, make, model and color of their vehicle. Snap as many pictures on your cell phone as possible in order to assist the police in the search for the driver who escaped. This is especially important if the pedestrian is incapacitated.
Have you been involved in a pedestrian accident in Georgia? You’re going to need a compassionate personal injury attorney who understands your rights and can help you pursue compensation for your injuries. Call the Fry Legal team, today, at 404-969-1284, to set up a free consultation.
