Pedestrian Safety: A Shared Responsibility In Chattanooga and North Georgia
Pedestrian accidents in North Georgia and Chattanooga, TN are among the most frustrating of all catastrophic injuries because so many are preventable. Pedestrian safety isn’t just about one group being careful—it’s a shared responsibility between those walking and those behind the wheel.
With school in session and Halloween coming up soon, this is a pivotal time to reinforce why pedestrians and drivers share the responsibility to keep our roads safe in Chattanooga, TN, and Woodstock and Cartersville, GA.
For Pedestrians: Be Seen, Stay Safe
Pedestrians are often the most vulnerable on our roads. Unlike drivers, they don’t have the protection of steel, airbags, or seatbelts. A single moment of distraction can have life-altering consequences, so let’s review some basic tips that can save your life.
Use crosswalks and intersections. In Georgia, jaywalking is not only risky but can reduce your ability to recover damages in a personal injury case. If you’re injured while crossing outside a designated crosswalk, a driver’s insurance company may argue that you were partially at fault, which can reduce your compensation under Georgia’s comparative negligence law.
Pay attention. Texting-while-driving is illegal and can be deadly, but texting-while-crossing only amplifies that risk. If you’re glued to your phone, you may miss a turning vehicle or a driver who isn’t yielding as they should. Insurance companies will seize on this kind of evidence to shift blame.
Visibility matters. In North Georgia, winding rural roads and early sunsets in the winter make conditions challenging, so wearing light-colored or reflective clothing at night can save your life. Likewise, in Chattanooga, a pedestrian who takes steps to be seen not only reduces their risk of injury but also strengthens their case if a negligent driver causes a crash.
Make eye contact with drivers before stepping into a crosswalk. This simple act can ensure they’ve seen you, especially when larger vehicles like buses and trucks are involved. Those vehicles need extra time to stop, and a pedestrian who darts into traffic is at great risk.
For Drivers: See Pedestrians, Protect Lives
Drivers, on the other hand, carry the greater responsibility. A vehicle in motion is a deadly force, and the laws in Georgia and Tennessee reflect this by requiring drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections.
- Georgia §40-6–270 defines the driver’s duty to stop at or return to the scene of an accident.
- Tennessee §55-10-103 decrees that a person is considered guilty of misdemeanor hit and run if: They leave the scene of an accident without at least identifying themselves to the other parties involved; and another party's property was damaged.
A hit-and-run is commonly defined as leaving the scene of an accident without first providing your name, address, and vehicle information to the driver, pedestrian, cyclist, or other party and ensuring that victims injured in the accident receive medical attention.
Yielding is not optional—it’s the law. Clients were struck because a driver was in a hurry, failed to slow down, or simply assumed a pedestrian would wait. Courts and juries take a very dim view of such negligence.
Never block crosswalks. When you stop on top of a crosswalk, you force pedestrians into traffic lanes, dramatically increasing the danger. This is a clear act of negligence that can establish liability in a lawsuit.
Distractions are deadly. Just as pedestrians should avoid texting while walking, drivers must never text while driving. “Hands-Free Laws” in Georgia and Tennessee make it illegal to hold a phone while operating a vehicle, and if a distracted driver injures a pedestrian, that violation is powerful evidence in a personal injury claim.
As recently discussed, special care is required near schools, neighborhoods, and playgrounds. Children are especially unpredictable pedestrians, and drivers are expected to anticipate this. If you’re driving through these areas, slowing down and staying alert isn’t just courteous—it’s a legal duty.
Ultimately, sharing the road is a responsibility, not a choice. Pedestrians have the right to travel safely, and when drivers fail to respect that right, the consequences can be devastating. As a catastrophic injury lawyer, I’ve seen families in Chattanooga, TN, as well as Woodstock and Cartersville, GA devastated by crashes that could have been avoided with patience or attentiveness.
Together, by being vigilant, visible, and respectful of the rules of the road, we can reduce tragedies and make our communities safer.
Your GA/TN Pedestrian and Car Wreck Lawyer
Contact a lawyer if you or your loved one was injured, or died, from an injury caused by the actions of another person. Pritchard Injury Firm’s North Georgia/TN fatal accident lawyers can evaluate the claim and take steps to build and strengthen your case. Contact Pritchard Injury Firm for a free consultation.