Dangerous Crosswalk in Dekalb County Georgia
Once again, we are reminded of the dangerous conditions which some Atlanta pedestrians are subjected to while they are walking and biking on city and county roads. According to recent reports, Atlanta resident Carol Sandlin suffered a serious ankle injury and was rushed to Emory Hospital for treatment when she fell while trying to cross North Decatur Road where it intersects with Oakdale Drive. Ms. Sandlin and her husband reported the dangerous intersection (which legally constitutes a "nuisance") to the Atlanta Journal Constitution in hopes that the broken concrete and sunken roadway would be repaired by the county before someone else is injured.
Generally, the local municipality charged with maintaining the roadway and sidewalk in good condition (i.e., safe and free from dangerous defects) is legally responsible to a pedestrian who suffers an injury if the municipality knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to make adequate repairs. Depending on the circumstances, the liable municipality in the Atlanta area would be The City of Atlanta, Dekalb County, Fulton County, the City of Decatur, Cobb County, Clayton County, the City of Marietta, Gwinnett County, etc.
What is especially worrisome about dangerous intersections is that, not only does the injured pedestrian fall and suffer from any number of injuries related to the fall (e.g., broken ankle, broken arm, torn rotator cuff, head injuries), but once they fall, they risk being run over by passing cars on busy streets and intersections. This is why local city and county agencies must be vigilant about making these needed repairs.
If you have been seriously injured due to a defective road condition and suspect that the City of Atlanta or another municipality had prior notice of the danger, and would like to discuss your case with one of our attorneys in complete confidence, please contact us. We are here to help.
