Georgia is a beautiful state that millions of people are happy to call home. Unfortunately, it does have its downsides—especially on the road. Many Georgia residents don’t realize that the state has one of the highest traffic fatality rates in the country:
- Georgia recently had the 4th highest traffic deaths out of all 50 states.
- Over 1,500 people died in accidents in Georgia in 2016 alone, according to the National Safety Council.
- Deadly accidents have been on the rise, increasing by 33% from 2014 to 2016
So what’s causing all these fatal accidents in Georgia? Each accident is unique, but there are some common factors—and some causes come up over and over.
The #1 Cause of Fatal Car Accidents in Georgia
Drunk driving is consistently the number one cause of traffic deaths in Georgia. Year after year, this has remained true even as drunk driving has gone down overall—and even though there are stiff penalties.
- In 2016, alcohol-impaired driving was the cause of 24% of traffic deathsin Georgia total, costing 368 lives
- The trend is similar in any recent year, with drunk driving typically accounting for about a fourth of all traffic deaths statewide
- These statistics don’t necessarily include driving under the influence of other substances such as illegal drugs, so the actual toll of DUI accidents may be much higher
Anyone can be hurt or killed in a DUI accident, including passengers (of either vehicle), pedestrians, cyclists, or law-abiding drivers in other vehicles. Victims and their families have a right to recover money, which can be substantially more in DUI cases than it would be in other accidents. Unfortunately, this can never make up for the tragic loss of a loved one.
Other Leading Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in Georgia
DUI isn’t the only killer on the road. The other most common causes include:
- Speeding. Speeding is a factor in many deadly accidents, including many DUI accidents, which means that the numbers for speeding-related deaths are very high—even when alcohol or something else is the real cause. But no matter what causes an accident, the faster the vehicles are moving, the more deadly it tends to be.
- Distracted driving. Generally, more than 3% of drivers involved in fatal accidents report being distracted—and many more may deny it. Even with that seemingly low number, distracted driving kills between 50 to 70 people a year in Georgia, coming up close behind DUI as a serious threat.
- Young drivers. Drivers age 16-19 are more likely to cause accidents than any other age group. Many of these accidents will involve reckless behavior, DUI, distracted driving or other factors—but many are simply because of lack of experience. Newer drivers make poor decisions especially in sudden life-or-death situations, and that can have terrible consequences for themselves, their passengers, and others on the road.
Whether a loved one was the victim of speeding, distracted driving, or another culprit, a fatal car accident lawyer can help you take legal action. Working with a compassionate attorney will offer you some much-needed sense of security and time to grieve.
Talk to an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer for Free
Victims of any car accident should get legal help immediately. You need to care for your rights as well as your physical recovery—and families who have lost loved ones have more at stake than anyone else. Let us give you a FREE consultation to get you the answers you need. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
