Car Accident
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Personal Injury
How Common Are Car Accidents in Atlanta
Car accidents result in severe damage and losses to people every day. Note that the circumstances surrounding each incident are unique. Statistics indicate that you are at risk of sustaining severe car wreck injuries as a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist in Georgia. According to a report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding Georgia traffic crashes, there were 1,786 recorded fatalities caused by car accidents in 2022.
Major highways, including I-75 and I-85, cut right through the heart of Atlanta, meaning millions of people walk, cycle, and drive in Fulton County and Atlanta as they go about their business. Atlanta roads are ranked among the most crowded and deadliest roads in the U.S. As Atlanta motorists and road users, this is definitely a disheartening statistic.
If you have sustained an injury in a car accident in Atlanta, ensure that you receive medical attention to evaluate the full extent of your injuries. Depending on the details of the case, it’s in your interest to consult experienced Atlanta car accident attorneys to pursue your personal injury claim.
At Fry | Goehring, our auto accident attorneys empathize with your situation and will aggressively fight for your rights so you get proper compensation for your injuries and damages. Our legal team has extensive experience handling cases like these, so we are fearless about trialing your case. Contact our Fry | Goehring Atlanta law offices at 404-969-1284 to schedule a no-cost consultation and case review, or fill out our online contact form now to learn about how common car accidents are in Georgia and how we can help.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Atlanta?
Georgia’s preliminary crash data indicates that there were 1,818 auto accident fatalities in 2021, which was a 9% surge from the 1,664 fatalities experienced in 2020. Following initial crash report data, the suspected serious injuries in 2021 were 8,937, which was an increase of nearly 1,300 injuries (46%) from 2020, which stood at 7,606.
The number of auto traffic fatalities by vehicle occupants and non-occupants also surged between 2020 and 2021. Passenger vehicle fatalities surged by 140 (13%) from 1,072 traffic fatalities in 2020 to 1,212 in 2021. Motorcycle fatalities following car crashes increased by 1%, from 192 fatalities in 2020 to 194 fatalities in 2021. Pedestrian fatalities surged by 10%, from 279 in 2020 to 306 in 2021. As for bicyclist fatalities in Georgia, there was a reduction by nearly half, from 31 fatalities in 2020 to 15 fatalities in 2021.
Of all the Georgia counties, Fulton County leads with the most motor vehicle fatal accidents in Georgia. Following this, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office is clamping down on distracted and reckless drivers in a bid to curtail these horrendous statistics. The FCSO Traffic Safety Unit officials reported that Fulton County experienced over 36,000 accidents in 2022 alone.
The Georgia State Patrol sends traffic accident information digitally to the Georgia Electronic Accident Reporting System (GEARS). In 2022, the Atlanta Police Department received 29,922 car accident reports. These figures are shocking, considering that other injury surveillance sources haven’t been factored in.
What Are the Leading Causes of Car Accidents in Atlanta?
Thousands of people suffer lasting injuries or fatalities from auto accidents every year. Research has shown that human error is the leading cause of car accidents, with human factors accounting for 98% of all crashes. Alarmingly, a crash happens every 5 seconds in the U.S., with one death every 13 minutes.
At Fry | Goehring, our personal injury attorneys see all types of car crashes, but the leading causes of car accidents tend to be:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Reckless Driving
- Fatigued driving
- Improper turns
- Poor weather
- Tailgating
Of particular interest is the number of drunk driving accidents that have resulted in traffic fatalities. In fact, out of the 1,818 traffic fatalities recorded in 2021, 391 were alcohol-impaired fatalities, and Atlanta experienced the vast majority of alcohol-impaired driving. Driving under the influence is a significant problem in Atlanta, which is why the Office of the Governor implemented a Highway Safety Plan.
In Atlanta, initiatives have been taken to mitigate some of these driver errors but have had limited success as the number of injuries and fatalities continues to increase year over year. We should do better at educating new and veteran drivers on common driving practices that increase the possibility of accidents.
Initiatives taken include law enforcement setting up random sobriety checkpoints, implementing DUI laws, and educating the public. Organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) offer aid to drunk-driving victims, advocate for stringent DUI laws, and spread awareness of the ramifications of alcohol-impaired driving.
What Are the Most Dangerous Intersections in Atlanta?
National statistics indicate that over 50% of the combined injury and fatal crashes happen near or at an intersection every year. To make it worse, roughly 25% of deadly collisions involve intersections, and Atlanta is filled with many of them. So, what are the most dangerous intersections in Atlanta? Research shows that these are among the intersections you should try to steer clear of:
- Covington Highway and Panola Road
- Covington Highway and Lithonia Road
- East Park Place and Stone Mountain Highway
- Memorial Drive and North Hairston Road
- Jimmy Carter Blvd and Peachtree Industrial Blvd
- Cobb Place Blvd and Earnest Barrett Parkway
- 14th Street and Peachtree Road
- Delmar Avenue and Delmoor Court
- Bolton Road and Marietta Road
- Collier Road and Peachtree Road
- Piedmont Road and Peachtree Road
- Habersham Road and West Paces Ferry Road
- Howell Mill Road and Chattahoochee Road
- North Druid Hills Road and Briarcliff Road
- State Bridge Road and Medlock Bridge Road
Regardless of whether you’re walking in the downtown Atlanta area, commuting from the suburbs, or driving on the interstate, a car wreck can completely upend your life. Being mindful of where car accidents are most likely to occur may help ensure your safety. You can plan your route in such a manner that you avoid using these intersections as much as possible.
What Types of Car Accidents Are Common in Atlanta?
Although every car crash is unique, all auto accidents will likely result in both mental and physical trauma. The skilled car accident lawyers from Fry | Goehring have represented injured victims involved in different types of car accidents across Atlanta. Common types of car accidents we handle include:
- Rear-end accidents
- Head-on collisions
- High-speed collisions
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Intersection accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Left-turn accidents
- Parking lot crashes
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Cars vs. motorcycles
- Cars vs. commercial vehicles
- Cars vs. pedestrians
How Can You Stay Safe on Atlanta Roadways?
Most car accidents are preventable, and although accidents are unpredictable, you can increase your chances of avoiding an incident by:
Pay Attention Behind the Wheel
Accidents usually occur when you take your mind or physical body off the task of driving. Remove all distractions near you, including your phone, to avoid getting into a collision. Always maintain a safe distance, even if traffic is slow. Also, be alert for potential blind spots.
Stay Vigilant at Red Lights and Turns
Don’t drive immediately, even after the red traffic light turns green. Watch out for pedestrians, animals, and children first instead of presuming the road is clear. Also, take curves cautiously to avoid getting into an intersection accident.
Get Good Sleep
Fatigued and drowsy driving is more or less the same as driving while intoxicated. Get a good night’s sleep to have the cognitive awareness to drive safely on the road. Pull over and take a nap if you feel tired while on the road.
Here are other tips to stay safe on Atlanta roadways:
- Wear a seatbelt
- Drive within the speed limit
- Drive sober
- Do not drive at night, especially in rural areas
- Be conversant with Atlanta traffic laws
How Can You Protect Your Rights After a Car Accident?
It’s normal for people to get confused and frightened after an accident. However, if you want to protect your rights, you must know what to do next. Here are some of the measures you can take to protect your rights:
- Don’t leave. It’s illegal to flee the accident scene after an accident. Assess the situation first and check whether other parties involved are injured.
- Call law enforcement. Report the incident, even if the collision was minor. The police report is crucial when filing an insurance claim.
- Gather evidence. Use your phone to take pictures and videos. Also, look for nearby surveillance cameras and obtain footage.
- Talk to an Atlanta personal injury lawyer. Call a car accident attorney immediately after an accident to get proper counsel. Don’t talk about the accident with another party.
Involved in a Georgia Car Accident? Call Us Now to Learn About Your Options
If you have gotten into an auto accident in Georgia, you may have grounds to seek compensation for lost earnings, medical costs, and chronic pain. Reach out to seasoned car accident attorneys in Atlanta like Fry | Goehring. We have helped car accident victims in Atlanta recover millions in damages and can help you, too.
For a free initial consultation, call 404-969-1284. Alternatively, fill out our online contact form to discuss your case.
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