Georgia Car Accident Statistics:
What You Need to Know in 2023

Learn about accident rates, personal injuries, and how the Dressie Law Firm can help you navigate the legal system. Schedule a free consultation today.

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Motor Vehicle Crash Fatalities and Injuries: By the Numbers

Car accidents are unfortunately common in Georgia. In 2021, Georgia registered 1,670 fatal accidents, resulting in 1,797 traffic fatalities, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). Thousands more suffered serious injuries, affecting both pedestrians and passenger vehicle occupants.

While some car crashes occur because of factors beyond the drivers’ control, in most cases, auto accidents are attributable to the driver’s unsafe behaviors. Impaired driving, reckless driving, and failure to follow safe driving behaviors are just some of the more common causes of fatal car accidents.

Read on to learn the recent trends in Georgia car accidents. If you or your loved one is a victim of a motor vehicle crash, you could be entitled to compensation. Our car accident lawyers from Dressie Law Firm can assist with your personal injury claim.

    Why Car Accident Statistics Matter

     

    According to the National Highway Safety Administration, around 31,785 people died in traffic crashes in the United States for the first nine months of 2022. The risk of car accidents increases on weekends, holidays, and rush hour periods.

    Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that distracted driving caused the death of 3,522 people and injury to an estimated 362,415 people in motor vehicle crashes in 2021 across the country.

    Distracted driving is not merely looking at one’s mobile phone while driving. It involves a “specific type of driver inattention” that happens when the driver’s attention diverts from the driving task to focus on another activity. This includes “eating, talking to passengers, adjusting the radio/climate controls, or adjusting other vehicle controls.”

    Knowing the statistics matters. People are more likely to be careful, knowing that during weekends or holidays, for example, vehicle accidents are more likely to occur in one particular area or street. It can also help victims and their lawyers establish a solid case against the driver at fault for the accident. Also, people can avoid the risk of accidents by knowing the leading causes of car accidents.

    Georgia Car Accident Statistics Overview

    According to a NHTSA report, the overall trends in car accidents in Georgia show that fatal crashes are increasing, from 1,432 deaths in 2015 to 1,797 in 2021. In 2020, Georgia was ranked fourth among the states having the greatest number of deadly crashes.

    Key Figures of Traffic Accident Injuries and Deaths

    Serious injuries in the road have steadily increased year after year between 2017 and 2021. In 2017, there were 5,370 suspected serious injuries. The number soared to 8,937 in 2021.

    Accident fatalities also increased from 1,664 in 2020 to 1,797 in 2021. Common causes of fatal accidents include alcohol-impaired driving, speeding, and distracted driving. Across the country, an average of one alcohol-impaired driving fatality occurred every 39 minutes in 2021. Meanwhile, 12,330 people were killed in speed-related crashes during the same year.

    Legal Implications of Car Accidents in Georgia

    When car accidents happen in Georgia, victims must prove that the other driver was at fault for the car crash.

    Being a fault state, victims who suffered physical injuries must show proof that their injuries were caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of the other driver. If you can prove this, you can hold the other driver accountable for damages. It is wise to consult an accident lawyer if you are involved in a car crash and seeking compensation against the at-fault driver. Your attorney will explain how car accident fault is determined in Atlanta, Georgia, and what is needed to prove it.

    Most car accidents are due to driver errors, as shown in statistics, so make sure to talk to a skilled personal injury attorney. Your car accident lawyer can help you prove that the other driver caused the motor vehicle accident. Your attorney can likewise assist you with filing the claim, negotiate with the insurance company, and fight so you can recover fair compensation for the injuries and damages that the accident caused you.

    Georgia’s Measures to Reduce Car Accidents

     

    To effectively address the increasing number of fatal injuries and serious injuries caused by auto accidents, Georgia adopted the Safe System Approach. It provides a framework, strategies, and countermeasures to achieve zero deaths and serious injuries on all Georgia roads.

    Also, as early as 2018, Georgia lawmakers have passed the Hands-Free Georgia Act, which restricts the use of mobile phones while driving. This means drivers of vehicles are not allowed to hold their mobile phones while operating a vehicle.

    Of course, Georgia’s efforts to reduce car accidents require the cooperation of everyone who uses the roads daily, particularly the drivers. Those who operate vehicles should practice safe driving habits at all times. They should be well-rested and have not taken alcohol or drugs before driving. 

    It’s also important that pedestrians and other drivers who witness traffic violations or accidents take the time to report them. What should you do if you witness a car accident? Call 911, help those injured if you can, and be ready to offer a statement to the police or the involved parties.

    Dressie Law Firm Is Here to Help You

     

    If you were in an auto accident, there are crucial steps that you need to take to be entitled to maximum compensation. After getting checked by a licensed medical professional, talk to our experienced Atlanta car accident attorney at Dressie Law Firm as soon as possible.

    Being a fault state, victims of motor vehicle accidents in Georgia can only pursue a compensation claim if they can prove that the other driver was at fault for the crash. The accident attorneys at Dressie Law Firm can help you prove that the other driver’s negligence led to the collision. Be it drunk driving or distracted driving, our lawyers can fight for your case to get the maximum compensation and best possible results.

    For over 20 years, we have helped thousands of car accident victims in Atlanta recover the maximum compensation they deserve. We can help you, too. Contact us to schedule your free consultation.

    The Dressie Law Firm Can Help You

    If you or a loved one is a victim of a reckless or negligent driver, we want you to know that the law is on your side and so is the Dressie Law Firm.

    Contact us today to schedule your free consultation!