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Georgia Car Accident Statistics
Looking for car accident statistics in Georgia? Do Law Office has the most up-to-date and reliable data to help you understand the risks on the road.
What Are the Car Accident Statistics of Georgia?
Car accidents are a leading cause of death in the US. As the 8th most populated state, Georgia shares a significant chunk of the national total of car accidents. In 2020, 5,250,837 police-reported crashes occurred across the country. That same year the Georgia Department of Transportation reported 331,796 crashes within the state. This means that Georgia alone accounted for over 6% of the total number of car accidents in the U.S. in 2020, many of which were fatal accidents.
These incidents are so prevalent that even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when movement was restricted, car accidents were ranked as the second primary cause of injury deaths and ER visits in Georgia despite the reduced number of vehicles on the road.
Understandably these car crash figures are a cause for worry if you’re a Georgia resident. You might wonder whether you’re at risk and how to avoid being a car accident victim. The answer to your questions may lie in the official statistics for previous road accidents in the state. Read on to learn more as we explore the data below.
Many Auto Accidents in Georgia Are Fatal
Behind Texas, California, and Florida, Georgia ranked fourth for traffic fatalities in the United States in 2020 (with 1664 fatalities). 61% of these fatal crashes occurred in the urban areas of Georgia. The highest number of fatal car accidents occurred in Fulton County, perhaps because of the several busy highways there.
Causes of Car Accidents in Georgia
According to the data collected by various government sources in Georgia, most car accidents are caused by risky driving behavior, including:
Speeding
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding was one of the major causes of car accidents across the US in 2021. This is consistent with the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety data, which shows that about 20% of crash fatalities in the same year were speeding-related.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving happens when a driver’s attention is divided between operating the vehicle and other activities, such as using a mobile phone. The official data shows that in 2019 suspected distracted drivers caused an estimated 56% of all motor vehicle traffic crashes in Georgia.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is dangerous for drivers and other road users. It is a leading cause of vehicle accidents. As of 2021, DUI-related accidents accounted for 22% of the car crash fatalities recorded in the state.
Reckless Driving Among Young or Inexperienced Drivers
The rate of car accidents involving drivers between 15 – 20 years old is high. Many drivers in this age bracket just obtained their driver’s licenses, meaning their driving skills may not be fully developed. This could make it difficult for them to react quickly or adequately in dangerous driving situations. Speeding, distracted, and drunk driving is also common in this age group. Consequently, the number of fatalities involving these young drivers is high. In 2020, car accidents in Georgia involving young drivers accounted for 13% of the total fatalities recorded for the year.
The above statistics show that car accidents can be prevented or minimized if drivers obey traffic laws and avoid dangerous driving practices.
Who Are the Likely Victims of Georgia Car Accidents?
All Georgia residents are at risk of being car accident victims, given the prevalence of such incidents in the state. Although it would seem that young children are often the most affected by car accidents, even though the drivers are typically adults. Motor accidents are the state’s leading cause of death for children between ages 5 and 14.
This doesn’t mean that other age groups are not significantly affected. As of 2020, the Georgia Department of Public Health reported that motor vehicle crashes were the second leading cause of death for adults aged 25-65+ years old.
According to the 2020 data provided by the United States Department of Transportation (and analyzed by the Insurance Institute for highway safety), there may be a relationship between the physical position of a person when a car crash occurs and their survival rate. The data shows that vehicle occupants had the highest number of car accident fatalities across all 50 states. In Georgia, vehicle occupant deaths amounted to 66% of the road accident fatalities in 2020, with pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists riders making up 17, 12, and 2% of motor vehicle crash fatalities, respectively.
As a driver in Georgia, your life and that of your passengers are in your hands. Your actions also affect innocent bystanders. In the interest of everyone’s safety, always drive safely.
What to Do After a Car Accident?
The victims of a car crash are often left with serious injuries that may leave lasting injuries, that is, if they survive. Treatment and healing for survivors also involve considerable financial expense. It would be unfair for those in such situations to bear the pain of injuries and the medical expenses alone, especially when someone else caused the accident.
So, what do you do after a car accident in Georgia? Georgia law allows you to claim compensation for personal injury from the at-fault driver or their insurance company. The steps you take after such incidents should be directed towards achieving this goal, so you need to be careful not to do anything to sabotage your case.
In addition to getting medical treatment as soon as possible and looking out for further car accident symptoms, there are several things you’ll need to do:
Gather Insurance Information
If your injuries are not severe, get the other driver’s insurance information before you leave the crash scene. It would make it easier to file your compensation claim.
Report the Accident
You also need to report the accident to the police if your health allows it and obtain the official police report. The police report will contain information about the accident, including intoxication test results of the at-fault driver, the state of the vehicles involved, and details of any other factor that contributed to the accident. The details are complex, and you may need to learn how to read a car accident report in Georgia or hire an Atlanta auto accident lawyer to explain it to you.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney
You may also need to contact a Georgia car accident attorney to assist with the compensation process to help offset your medical bills. Accident and personal injury attorneys can help to make the compensation process as seamless as possible so you can focus on regaining your health. Your lawyer can fight for you against unwilling and unscrupulous insurance companies who refuse payment without cause and ensure you’re not cheated out of your entitlements.
Got Further Questions About Car Accidents Cases in Georgia? Contact Us at Do Law Office!
At Do Law Office, we are committed to helping individuals who have sustained injuries due to the actions of others. Part of our job is to ensure that the liable insurance companies pay you to cover the damages incurred in a car accident. To make this happen, we can represent you both in court during litigation and in out-of-court settlements.
We represent clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases arising from auto accidents. So if you or someone you know has been hurt or killed in an auto accident, contact us to schedule an appointment, and we’ll do all we can to help.
Our guide to Atlanta car accidents offers valuable information that could clarify a few details before your appointment and help you understand your position. Consider reading it before the scheduled appointment. It would make your first meeting easier since you’ll know some important car accident terms and concepts.
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