When pedestrian deaths climb year after year, the causes rarely come down to a single failure. Across metro Atlanta, corridors like Buford Highway in Doraville and Chamblee illustrate how road design, posted speed limits, and missing infrastructure combine to put people on foot at serious risk. This article examines why traffic fatalities involving people on foot are rising nationally and locally, what research says about the contributing factors, and what communities and lawmakers can do to reverse the trend.
Cambre & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers, an Atlanta-based personal injury firm founded in 2014 and led by attorney Glenn Cambre, contributed perspective on the legal dimensions of pedestrian safety.
Introduction: Why Pedestrian Safety in Atlanta Demands Attention
Picture stepping off a MARTA bus on Buford Highway in Doraville. There is no sidewalk. Traffic moves at 50 miles per hour. The nearest marked crosswalk is a quarter mile away. This is a daily reality for thousands of people in Chamblee, along Memorial Drive in DeKalb County, and near transit stops throughout Fulton County.
Pedestrian fatalities in Georgia have risen steadily over the past several years. Fulton and DeKalb counties both appear in state-level safety analyses as areas with elevated crash death concentrations, making this a local crisis as much as a national one. Understanding these factors helps people make informed decisions about their safety and their rights after a crash.
The Numbers Behind the Crisis: What the Data Shows
National Pedestrian Fatality Trends
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the United States recorded 7,522 pedestrian deaths in 2022, the highest annual total since 1981. The sharp rise began during the pandemic years, when faster vehicle speeds on emptier roads proved deadly. People on foot now account for roughly one in five of all traffic fatalities nationally. The Governors Highway Safety Association consistently places Georgia among states with higher-than-average pedestrian death rates per capita.
Georgia and Atlanta’s Pedestrian Safety Record
GHSA and Georgia Department of Transportation analyses identify Fulton and DeKalb counties as areas with elevated crash death concentrations. The Buford Highway corridor through Doraville and Chamblee stands out as one of the most dangerous stretches in the metro region, with long sections lacking sidewalks and crosswalks spaced so far apart that pedestrians regularly cross mid-block out of necessity.
Memorial Drive in DeKalb County is a high-speed arterial with active GDOT safety studies underway. MARTA stops at Five Points, Edgewood-Candler Park, and Vine City generate high pedestrian volumes in areas where infrastructure quality varies block by block. Driver duties to people on foot are governed in part by O.C.G.A. § 40-6-91, and violations of that statute appear as a documented contributing factor in fatal crashes statewide.
These numbers reflect decades of policy choices about road design, land use, and infrastructure investment. Where reform happens, the toll begins to fall. The question is whether Georgia’s communities will treat these deaths as inevitable or as preventable outcomes that demand action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after being struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian?
Call 911 right away, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries, and a medical evaluation creates documentation that strengthens any future claim. Collect the driver’s name, license plate, and insurance information. Photograph the scene, including skid marks, crosswalk markings, and any missing signage. Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster before speaking with an attorney, because those statements can be used to reduce compensation later.
Does Georgia law require drivers to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks?
Yes. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-91, drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and at intersections. Failure to yield is a traffic violation that can establish negligence in a civil claim. This matters especially along corridors like Buford Highway, where crosswalks are spaced far apart and a driver’s duty to yield is frequently tested.
Can I still recover compensation if I was jaywalking when the accident happened?
Possibly, yes. Georgia follows a modified comparative fault rule under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. A pedestrian can recover damages as long as they are less than 50 percent responsible for the accident. A driver who was speeding or distracted may still bear the majority of fault, even if the pedestrian was crossing mid-block. Compensation is reduced by the pedestrian’s percentage of fault but is not eliminated unless that share reaches 50 percent or more.
What types of damages can a pedestrian accident victim recover in Georgia?
Georgia law allows recovery of economic and non-economic losses, including:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages in cases of extreme negligence, under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1
Documenting every expense and medical visit from the start makes a significant difference in final compensation, particularly given that pedestrian crash injuries often require long-term care.
How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in Georgia?
The standard deadline is two years from the date of the accident under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. However, if the responsible party is a government entity such as MARTA or a municipality, shorter ante litem notice requirements can cut that window to as little as six months. Acting early preserves evidence and protects legal rights.
About Cambre & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers
Cambre & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers is a personal injury firm founded in 2014 by attorney Glenn Cambre, based at 2310 Parklake Dr NE, Suite 300 in Atlanta. The firm serves clients across Fulton County, DeKalb County, and the broader metro Atlanta area, handling pedestrian accidents, wrongful death claims, and premises liability matters. It holds a Martindale-Hubbell Client Champion distinction and a BBB A+ rating.
Learn more about Cambre & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers’ pedestrian accidents.
Business Name: Cambre & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers
Address: 2310 Parklake Dr NE Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30345
Phone Number: (770) 502-6116
