Everyone has an opinion about drivers in Georgia. Some people will complain about how they behave in traffic. Others will talk about drivers who go too fast. From traversing the suburban expanse to merging between highways inside the Perimeter, the real issue on the road is what causes car accidents in Georgia.
Different factors contribute to car accident statistics each year. Here’s how we did in 2024.
Where are car accidents happening in Georgia?
Car accidents in Georgia happen in every county and every community, but certain areas have a higher rate of car accident fatalities than others. This could be due to population density, the number of people who are commuting to work, and more.
Driving in these counties doesn’t mean you have to constantly fear you’ll get into a car accident, but it does mean you should focus completely on your driving and avoid distractions.
The five counties that historically have the highest numbers of car accident fatalities are:
- Fulton
- Dekalb
- Cobb
- Gwinnett
- Clayton
In 2023, according to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, Cobb County had 54 traffic-related fatalities, ranking fourth among Georgia counties. This is three percent of the total traffic fatalities that occurred throughout the state, and a 22 percent decrease in fatalities in Cobb over the previous year (2022). Accidents related to speeding was the top cause for car accident fatalities.
Fatal car accidents in Georgia in 2024
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatal car accidents are on the decline across the country. Within the first half of 2024, fatality numbers decreased in a variety of key areas including speeding-related crashes and those involving unbuckled individuals. Overall, fatalities went down by 3.2 percent when compared to the first half of 2023.
Overall, Georgia was ranked 5th in the first half of 2024 when it came to highest traffic fatality rates in the country, with 1.08 roadway deaths for every 100 million miles traveled. This rate translated to 696 traffic-related deaths. This rate is a decrease of almost 9 percent over the previous year.
What causes car accidents?
According to Georgia auto accident reports, there are a few common causes for car accidents. These aren’t the only reason collisions occur, but they do get logged as the cause of an accident most often.
At the top of the list is distracted driving. Thousands of people get into car accidents each year because of distracted drivers. Whether checking your phone or looking down to mess with the radio, taking your eyes off the road for just a few seconds can seriously impact your ability to stay safe while driving.
Other common causes of car accidents include:
- Speeding and/or aggressive driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Inclement weather
- Inexperienced drivers
Where do car accidents most often occur?
Intersections are the most common place for car accidents to occur. This is because there are so many factors to take into consideration, especially if you’re making a left turn. You have to watch the light, check oncoming traffic, and understand what each type of arrow means. Remembering to yield when a yellow arrow flashes is sometimes easier said than done, especially when it seems like the intersection is clear.
Running a red light at an intersection also increases your risk of a car accident, as does attempting to make a u-turn without checking to see if someone is also making a right into that lane.
When you’re close to home
A factor that compounds your risk for a car accident is where you are. Driving throughout Georgia is one thing, but when you get near home, the chance of having a car accident goes up. This is because many people start to let their guard down once they get into familiar territory. It’s also easy to get distracted, thinking of what you need to do once you get home.
When you’re on the highway
All the major Atlanta highways are dangerous places, but certain parts carry a higher rate of fatal car accidents. For example, Lithia Springs off I-20, Kennesaw off I-75, and Atlanta off I-85, all rank higher when it comes to fatal car accidents.
To protect yourself from the potential of a highway accident, remember to change lanes carefully and maintain proper distance between you and the car in front of you.
Need a car accident attorney in Georgia?
Within the first quarter of 2024 in Georgia, 500 car accidents occurred. About half of those results in injuries.
If you find yourself in a car accident, or are left dealing with the aftermath of a fatal car crash of a loved one, don’t do it alone. Contact the car accident attorneys at Watson Injury Law. After a free consultation, we’ll create a customized strategy that works toward getting you the compensation you deserve. Our goal is to give you peace of mind so you can concentrate on healing. The sooner you reach out after a car accident, the better, so contact us today.