Atlanta / Pedestrian crashes
Hit by a car while walking in Atlanta
Atlanta is getting more walkable, but crossings, wide roads and fast traffic still put people on foot at risk.
Georgia’s basic rules
| Rule | In plain words |
|---|---|
| Crosswalks | Drivers must stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk on the driver’s half of the road, or approaching closely from the other half |
| Outside a crosswalk | Pedestrians crossing outside a crosswalk generally must yield to vehicles |
| Drivers must still take care | Drivers must use due care to avoid hitting a pedestrian, even one who is not in a crosswalk |
| Sharing fault | If you were partly at fault, you can still recover if you were less than 50% at fault; your recovery is reduced by your share |
Who pays
- The driver’s liability insurance, first.
- Your own uninsured motorist coverage, if the driver had no insurance or not enough, or drove away. It can apply even though you were on foot.
- Others, in some cases, such as an employer whose driver was working, or a public agency.
Hit-and-run? Report it to police right away. Uninsured motorist claims for an unknown driver can have extra requirements.
Where it happens in Atlanta
Wide, fast multi-lane roads, busy intersections near transit stops, and crowded areas like Midtown, Downtown and the BeltLine crossings. See our guides for Midtown, Old Fourth Ward and the BeltLine.
What to do
- Get medical care, even if you feel okay at first.
- Get the police report number.
- Photograph the crossing, signals, lighting and your injuries.
- Ask nearby businesses and MARTA about cameras quickly.
Hurt in Atlanta?
Free case review with Talal Perez Ghosheh. English or Spanish.