Vehicle accidents often lead to significant injuries. Unfortunately, there are also a significant number of fatalities that occur each year as a result of car accidents in Georgia. Here, we want to examine fatal car accident data from 2022 and review some of the leading causes of these fatal incidents.
What the Data Tells Us
Data presented by the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that there were over 43,000 fatal motor vehicle accidents nationwide; 1,786 of those fatalities occurring in the state of Georgia.
If we examine overall trends of fatal accidents in Georgia over the last decade, we can see that 2021 and 2022 data remains relatively unchanged, with 11 fewer roadway deaths in 2022 than in 2021. However, there has been an alarming increase in the total number of fatal vehicle accidents over the last ten years. Further examining the data shows that the vast majority of vehicle accident fatalities occur in urban areas as opposed to rural areas of the state.
Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in Georgia
Fatal car accidents occur in a wide variety of ways across Georgia. However, there are a few common causes of fatal accidents that we want to highlight.
Alcohol and drug-impaired driving is a major problem in the state of Georgia, despite efforts over the last few decades to crack down on drunk driving. In 2021, alcohol-impaired driving was the leading cause of traffic fatalities. The second leading cause of traffic fatalities in 2021 was speeding, though this cause of traffic fatalities often comes in first place above impaired driving each year.
A significant percentage of all total traffic fatalities each year revolves around both impaired driving and speeding. However, there are certainly other causes of roadway fatalities, including failing to yield the right of way, failing to stop at stop signs or stop lights, improper turning or lane changing, distracted driving, etc.
During recent reporting years, there has also been an increase in the number of fatalities associated with pedestrian incidents and motorcycle accidents. These are two vulnerable groups of roadway users that cannot withstand the force of a vehicle slamming into them.
Reducing overall traffic fatalities in the state of Georgia is a challenge, and efforts will likely need to revolve around impaired driving, drivers who operate too fast for conditions, as well as pedestrian and motorcyclist safety.
Should You Work With an Attorney
If you have been injured in a vehicle accident caused by the negligence of another party in the state of Georgia, or if you have lost a loved one in a vehicle accident, we encourage you to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. A Coweta County personal injury lawyer can fully investigate your claim and help guide you toward the best path of recovering compensation for your losses. If you need to file a wrongful death claim for your loved one, we encourage you to speak to an attorney soon because there are various deadlines in place related to filing these claims.