Understanding the Types of Auto Accidents in Georgia

Intersection Accidents

Intersections are dangerous places for road users. Every driver needs to be careful and follow traffic rules at or close to one. This is because accidents that occur at intersections lead to severe injuries like bone fractures or spinal cord injuries.

The Georgia Strategic Highway Safety Plan for 2022-2024 also reports that 26 percent of road accident fatalities in the state happened at an intersection or close to one.  

To lower the chances of such incidents, Georgia drivers must always obey traffic signals and rules. Look out for oncoming vehicles before crossing intersections.

 Side-Impact Collisions

Also known as T-bone accidents, side-impact collisions happen when the front of one automobile crashes into the side of another vehicle. These accidents occur at intersections or when drivers fail to yield the right-of-way.

These car crashes can cause severe injuries to vehicle occupants, especially those on the side of impact. This is because vehicle manufacturers usually focus their crash protection efforts on the front and rear of the vehicles, leaving the sides with little or no protective device to mitigate the impact of a collision.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, side impact collisions also cause serious injuries and deaths among infants and young children each year. This is because many infant or toddler car seats do not offer sideways protection. 

You can mitigate the impact of side collisions by using vehicles with side airbags. Still, it would be ideal for all road users to avoid this kind of car crash in the first place by exercising caution while driving.

Single-Vehicle Accidents

Single-vehicle accidents involve running off the road, rollovers, or collisions with fixed objects like trees or guardrails by one vehicle. These incidents typically occur due to driver error, poor road conditions, or vehicle malfunctions such as brake failure.

Single-vehicle crashes are serious and accounted for more than half of the car accident fatalities in Georgia in 2021. Hence drivers must maintain control, drive cautiously, and avoid distractions to minimize danger to themselves and other road users.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on crashes are among the most devastating types of accidents in Georgia. These happen when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions collide with their front ends. 

Causes of such incidents include drunk driving, distracted driving, wrong-way driving, or overtaking on two-lane roads. Head-on collisions regularly result in severe injuries or fatalities. 

All drivers must pay attention to road signs, obey traffic rules and avoid distractions while driving to prevent such accidents.

Hit-and-Run Accidents

Hit-and-run accidents occur when a driver hits a pedestrian or another vehicle and leaves the scene without helping injured victims or sharing their contact and insurance information.

These accidents are deadly because victims who might have fared better if they had received help and swift medical attention are left to remain alone at the scene. As such, such acts constitute a criminal offense under Georgia law. 

If you’re the victim of a hit-and-run, you might also be able to get compensation for your injuries and medical expenses from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Consult with a skilled auto accident attorney in Georgia to learn your options.

Parking Lot Accidents

Parking lot accidents are common and usually happen when vehicles are trying to enter or leave parking lots. They can occur because of different reasons, such as the following:

• Failing to pay attention

• Parking too close to another vehicle 

• Getting distracted

• Being unable to see properly

• Not following the rules of the parking lot.

The impact of parking lot accidents on vehicle occupants is minimal since the vehicle(s) are moving at low speeds. But they could cause significant vehicle damage leading to financial liability on the part of the responsible driver.

Parking lot accidents can be avoided if drivers pay close attention to their surroundings, especially while reversing. Distractions should be avoided as much as possible.