Georgia Car Accident Statistics and Trends
Car accidents are a major concern in Georgia, with thousands of crashes occurring each year. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at Georgia car accident statistics and trends to better understand the impact of these accidents on drivers, passengers, and the general public.
Overall Accident Statistics
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, there were 1,504 fatal crashes on Georgia’s roads in 2020, resulting in 1,616 fatalities. This represents an increase from the previous year when there were 1,378 fatal crashes and 1,493 fatalities.
In addition to fatal accidents, there were also 381,293 total crashes in Georgia in 2020, with 116,458 of those resulting in injuries. The vast majority of these accidents (94%) were caused by driver error, with the most common contributing factors being distracted driving, speeding, and failure to yield the right of way.
Trends in Accident Severity
While the number of total crashes in Georgia has remained relatively consistent in recent years, there has been a concerning trend of increasing accident severity. In 2020, the average number of fatalities per fatal crash was 1.07, the highest it has been in at least a decade.
In addition, there has been an increase in the percentage of crashes that result in fatalities. In 2020, 0.43% of all crashes resulted in a fatality, compared to 0.39% in 2019 and 0.36% in 2018.
These trends suggest that while Georgia’s roads may not be getting more dangerous in terms of the total number of crashes, those crashes are becoming more deadly.
Demographic Trends
Certain demographic groups are more likely to be involved in car accidents than others. In Georgia, the age group with the highest rate of crashes is drivers aged 20-24, who were involved in 24% of all crashes in 2020. Drivers aged 25-29 were the second most likely to be involved in crashes, accounting for 14% of all crashes.
Men are also more likely than women to be involved in crashes in Georgia, accounting for 60% of all crashes in 2020. However, women were slightly more likely than men to be involved in crashes that resulted in injuries.
In addition to following traffic laws, there are several other steps that drivers can take to reduce their risk of being involved in a car accident. One important step is to avoid distracted driving, which is a leading cause of accidents in Georgia and across the United States. This can include anything from texting while driving to eating or drinking while behind the wheel.
Another important step is to always wear a seatbelt when driving or riding in a car. According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, seatbelts save lives and can reduce the risk of fatal injury in a car accident by 45%.
It’s important to be aware of the dangers of drunk driving. In Georgia, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. However, even lower levels of alcohol can impair a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely.
Car accidents are a serious problem in Georgia, with thousands of crashes occurring each year and contributing to hundreds of fatalities. While there are several demographic groups that are more likely to be involved in accidents, all drivers can take steps to reduce their risk of being involved in a crash. By following traffic laws, avoiding distracted driving, wearing seatbelts, and never driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, we can all help to make Georgia’s roads safer for everyone.
Princenthal, May & Wilson, LLC is a law firm that specializes in personal injury cases, including car accidents. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Georgia, the experienced attorneys at PMW Law can help you navigate the legal process and get the compensation you deserve.
Here are some ways that PMW Law can help with car accident cases in Georgia:
Investigating the Accident: Our attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident to determine who was at fault and gather evidence to support your claim.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies may try to offer you a low settlement or deny your claim altogether. Our attorneys can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Representing You in Court: If necessary, our attorneys can represent you in court to litigate your case and fight for your rights.
Providing Legal Advice and Support: Car accidents can be traumatic experiences that can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. Our attorneys can provide you with legal advice and support throughout the entire process, from filing a claim to negotiating a settlement.
If you have been involved in a car accident in Georgia, Princenthal, May & Wilson, LLC can help you navigate the legal process and get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.