Pedestrian Seriously Injured in Crosswalk Crash in DeKalb County

Why Pedestrian Crashes Are So Dangerous

A person on foot has no protection in a collision. Even at moderate speeds, a vehicle striking a pedestrian can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, broken pelvises and legs, and internal bleeding. As vehicle speed increases, the risk grows sharply, and larger vehicles such as SUVs and pickup trucks tend to strike adults higher on the body.

Early morning presents additional hazards. Around dawn, drivers may face low sun angles or limited light, commuter congestion, and fatigue. Meanwhile, pedestrians heading to work or transit stops may cross in a hurry. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) publishes traffic safety data showing that pedestrian deaths in the United States have remained well above 7,000 in recent years, a level not seen in decades. Serious but non-fatal pedestrian injuries, like this one, occur far more frequently and often require long hospital stays and extended recovery.

How Georgia Law Treats Crosswalk Crashes

Georgia pedestrian laws give pedestrians certain protections in marked crosswalks, and they also place responsibilities on pedestrians. In general, the law requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians. Conversely, it expects pedestrians to follow traffic control signals and to avoid suddenly moving into the path of vehicles that cannot reasonably yield. Determining which of those principles applies in a specific crash depends heavily on facts often unknown on the day of the incident—such as the signal phase, the vehicle’s speed, the driver’s attention, lighting and visibility, and the pedestrian’s exact position when the vehicle approached.

Police often provide incomplete or preliminary descriptions of a crash in the first hours. Investigators review surveillance video, traffic camera footage, vehicle data, and witness statements, which can change their accounts. For example, the phrase that a pedestrian “darted” into a crosswalk serves as an early characterization rather than a final finding.

What an Injury Like This Can Mean for a Family

When a driver seriously injures a pedestrian, the effects reach far beyond the emergency room. Families must face significant medical bills, time away from work, rehabilitation costs, and uncertainty about long-term recovery. In Georgia, an injured person can generally pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering from any party whose negligence contributed to the crash. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, so the law reduces an injured person’s compensation by their share of fault and bars compensation entirely if they bear 50 percent or more responsibility. This rule underscores why a careful, evidence-based investigation of exactly how a crash occurred matters so much.

Time limits also apply. Georgia’s general statute of limitations requires individuals to file personal injury claims within two years from the date of injury. Parties must preserve evidence early—such as video footage and witness accounts—before it is lost or overwritten.

For now, DeKalb County police continue their investigation into the man injured in Thursday’s crash. Authorities may soon release more information about who he is, his condition, and what led the driver and pedestrian to collide.

Understanding Pedestrian Rights and Safety at Busy Intersections

Pedestrian safety remains a critical concern, especially at busy intersections like Glenwood Road and Candler Road in DeKalb County. This recent incident shows that marked crosswalks still present significant risks when drivers and pedestrians fail to exercise appropriate caution. Both parties must stay alert, obey traffic signals, and avoid sudden movements that can cause tragic outcomes. At The Jewkes Firm, we advocate for pedestrian rights and work tirelessly to hold negligent drivers accountable when serious injuries occur.