Last year, there were a total of 1,435 accidents in Georgia. Of these crashes, 267 were fatal causing 450 fatalities.
As Atlanta auto injury attorneys, we know that most motor vehicle accidents in Georgia are avoidable. They are caused by drivers who make simple mistakes or behave recklessly.
We all know drunk driving is dangerous. In 2009, one-third of fatal crashes involved a driver who had a BAC greater than .08. What you may not know is that any level of intoxication, even a BAC of .01, can dramatically increase your chances of becoming a Georgia accident victim.
It's possible that even minimum amount of alcohol makes a driver more likely to behave recklessly, but reckless driving is not limited to drivers who are under the influence. We've listed the driving behaviors that cause the most fatal accidents in Georgia. These numbers come from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) database, which tracks every car accident in the U.S. that involves at least one fatality. This data is for 2009, the most recent year available. It includes data for 1,284 fatal crashes.
- Failure to keep in proper lane (668 Georgia deaths in 2009)
- Driving while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication (211 Georgia deaths in 2009)
- Failure to yield right of way (134 Georgia deaths in 2009)
- Overcorrecting or over-steering (83 Georgia deaths in 2009)
- Failure to obey traffic signs, signals, or officer (74 Georgia deaths in 2009)
- Swerving (59 Georgia deaths in 2009)
- Driving while drowsy (59 Georgia deaths in 2009)
- Inattentive driving (21 Georgia deaths in 2009)
- Driving wrong way (17 Georgia deaths in 2009)
- Making an improper turn (8 Georgia deaths in 2009)
- Operating vehicle in erratic, reckless manner (2 Georgia deaths in 2009)
Even if you are safe driver, the behavior of other drivers can put you at risk.
If you have been injured in a Georgia car accident caused by another driver, you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries. To learn more or to discuss your claim with an Atlanta auto injury attorney, contact Shane Smith Law at (980) 246-2656