By Personal Injury Lawyer on February 23, 2012 -
Hybrid cars seem to offer slightly better protection from death or serious injuries in vehicle crashes, according to a recent study from the Highway Loss Data Institute (part of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). However, they are also involved in slightly more pedestrian accidents. Researchers believe the particular qualities of hybrids – additional weight and less noise, respectively – are responsible for these results.
Hybrids offered a 25 percent reduction in serious injury risk in motor vehicle crashes when compared to similar vehicles that only had conventional internal combustion engines, according to a recent study. Researchers believe this added protection comes from the fact that hybrids, which carry a battery system in addition to a standard gas engine, are slightly heavier than conventional vehicles of the same size, making them less likely to be pushed into other cars or objects.
However, in the same time period, hybrids were also involved in 20 percent more pedestrian accidents than standard vehicles, according to the HLDI study. Here, researchers believe the hybrid’s electric motor, which is far quieter than a standard gas engine, is to blame. Pedestrians who can’t hear a hybrid coming are more likely to step in front of it, and the driver may not be able to stop or swerve in time to avoid a crash.
At The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., our experienced Georgia pedestrian accident attorneys have the legal resources and courtroom experience to represent injured people and their families in all pedestrian accident cases. To learn more, call our office today at (404) 995-3955 for a free consultation.
More and more people are using active means of transportation, such as walking and bicycling, to go to work, visit friends, or go to the grocery store. Walking and bicycling are very good forms of exercise and help promote a healthy lifestyle, but they can also be dangerous. Crossing the street is often a necessity when walking to a destination and is also when most Georgia pedestrian accidents occur.
According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), there were 2,371 pedestrian accidents in 2008. These included a total of 1,881 Georgia pedestrian injuries and 140 fatalities. In 2009, the number of pedestrian fatalities increased to 150. To help prevent an increase in pedestrian injury and fatality numbers in coming years, Georgia pedestrians and motorists should consistently follow the below safety guidelines:
| PEDESTRIANS |
DRIVERS |
| Walk on the sidewalk or, in the absence of a sidewalk, as close as possible to the left side of the street, facing traffic. |
Come to a complete stop at stop signs and red traffic signals, especially when making a turn on red. |
| Cross at a crosswalk and only at intersections or street corners. Always use painted crosswalks when available. |
Stop before the sidewalk and look for pedestrians when pulling out of a driveway. When backing out, it is best to personally go onto the sidewalk and check for pedestrians before moving the car. |
| Stop before crossing the street and never run into the road. |
Be especially cautious and attentive of children in school and park zones. |
| Obey and pay attention to all traffic signals before stepping onto the road. |
Keep as close to the center of the road as is safe when there is no sidewalk. |
| Look both ways, in a left-right-left pattern before crossing any street and make sure traffic has come to a complete stop. |
Look for pedestrians at intersections and street corners even if there is not a stop-sign or traffic signal. |
| Be aware of turning traffic, especially on a red light; try to make eye contact with the driver. |
Make sure the car’s headlights are on at night. |
| Wear high visibility/bright colored clothing when walking at night. |
Obey all traffic signals and speed limits. |
| Stop and look for approaching cars before crossing a driveway. |
The above safety guidelines can help decrease the risk of Georgia pedestrian accidents, however not all accidents can be prevented. If you have been injured in a Georgia pedestrian injury accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. At The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., our experienced Atlanta pedestrian injury attorneys help injured victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. We will examine the details of your case and advise you on the best course of legal action. For a consultation, contact us at 866-249-5513.
Hybrids offered a 25 percent reduction in serious injury risk in motor vehicle crashes when compared to similar vehicles that only had conventional internal combustion engines, according to a recent study. Researchers believe this added protection comes from the fact that hybrids, which carry a battery system in addition to a standard gas engine, are slightly heavier than conventional vehicles of the same size, making them less likely to be pushed into other cars or objects.
