Cobb County police were investigating an accident recently in which a man in an electric wheelchair was struck and killed while crossing Copper Lake Road between King Springs and Marvell in Smyrna. According to a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the accident occurred on Friday afternoon, just after 1 pm, when an 84-year-old Mableton woman driving east on Copper Lake Road struck the pedestrian as he was crossing in front of her Honda CR-V.
In a similar incident, a pedestrian was injured in an early morning accident in Marietta, highlighting the ongoing risks pedestrians face on Georgia roadways.
The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene, and — as of publication of the report — had not yet been identified. The road was closed for hours following the accident, so that police could conduct their investigation. The police noted that, while the accident remains under investigation, there are no charges expected at this time.
In another case, a pedestrian was identified and expected to survive after a Marietta accident, demonstrating the varying outcomes of such tragic events.
Pedestrian fatalities in Georgia and across the nation have increased around 46 percent over the past decade, compared to an increase of roughly 5 percent for all other traffic fatalities. While the accident mentioned above occurred in the early afternoon hours, about three-quarters of fatal pedestrian accidents occur after dark when it is more difficult to see a pedestrian crossing the road. Georgia is one of seven states — along with Arizona, California, Florida, New York, North Carolina, and Texas — that account for more than half of all pedestrian fatalities in the nation.
In a particularly tragic incident, a man was killed in a DeKalb County hit-and-run pedestrian crash, further illustrating the dangers pedestrians face.
If you were injured or have lost a loved one as a result of a pedestrian accident in Atlanta or surrounding communities, there is a process for obtaining compensation for the expenses and impacts of your injury or loss. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney from Cambre & Associates can explain this process to you and advise you of your legal options. Contact us for a free case evaluation online or by calling (770) 502-6116.