October 08, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- One of a parent's worst fears is sending a child off to school and not having them return home. Unfortunately, that came dangerously close to happening for one Georgia family last week. A child waiting at a bus stop near the intersection of Highways 183 and 53 was almost hit by a passing vehicle driven by a man on his way to work.

"If I had been distracted for half-a-second, I may have hit that child," explained the driver. According to him, the child was standing close to the white line on the road and wearing all black. Sadly these types of pedestrian accidents are not uncommon in Georgia. According to the Dawson Advertiser, Georgia ranks first in the country for school bus fatalities.

With the school year now in full swing drivers should make a conscious effort to watch for children at bus stops and around schools and avoid distractions. Parents should also remind children to stand back at least 12 feet from the road when waiting for the bus.

Pedestrians at risk on Georgia roads

Students are not the only ones in danger of being hit by motor vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), on average every two hours a pedestrian is killed by a vehicle somewhere in the country and every eight minutes one is injured. In 2011, in contrast to most groups of road users, pedestrian fatalities rose nationwide.

Unfortunately, Georgia has also experienced a growth in pedestrian fatalities since 2001. In 2010, Georgia had 168 pedestrian fatalities. The state's pedestrian death rate was a significant 25 percent higher than the national average.

Safety tips for drivers and pedestrians

NHTSA provides the following reminders to keep pedestrians safe:- Pedestrians should walk on sidewalks or if none are available on the left side of the road facing traffic.- Pedestrians should wear bright colored clothing and try to make eye contact with drivers as they approach to ensure they are seen.- Drivers should always be watching for pedestrians and should not assume they are walking only in crosswalks or sidewalks.- Drivers should always follow the speed limit and be especially alert for pedestrians at night and around neighborhoods and school zones.- Drivers should stop far behind a crosswalk so other vehicles can see the pedestrians as well and will not attempt to pass.

When a truck our car hits a pedestrian the results can be catastrophic. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident contact an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney. A lawyer can work on your behalf to help ensure you receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages.

Article provided by William Tinkler, Jr. Attorney at Law, P.C. Visit us at www.tinklerlawfirm.com