Top Five Causes of Auto Accidents in Atlanta

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury deaths and the second leading cause of hospitalizations and ER visits in Georgia. With over 7 million licensed drivers in the state, many areas of Georgia are heavily trafficked. When hitting the road, you should always be prepared to actively prevent an accident from happening. They come out of nowhere and happen in a flash. Although you can avoid many of the dangerous behaviors that frequently cause car accidents, there are many other careless drivers on the road that may endanger you and your passengers. 

Unfortunately, car accidents are common all over the world, and in Georgia, it is said that over 70 drivers are hurt in car accidents every hour. Even if you can’t entirely avoid an auto collision, it’s useful to familiarize yourself with the leading causes of car accidents in Georgia. 

Following Too Closely

A defensive driver should maintain a safe following distance of at least three seconds behind the vehicle ahead and increase it depending on weather and road conditions. Because you never know what the person in front of you will do in any situation, it is best to give yourself time to react to their actions. 

Running Stop Signs and Intersections 

Intersections are a common accident location because motor vehicles need to intersect and cross paths of travel, and not everyone is paying attention. When drivers blow through red lights and stop signs, the risk of a collision is extremely high because drivers are directly in the path of other vehicles. Drivers may fail to stop at a controlled intersection because they are not paying attention, or are impatient. 

Distraction

Distracted driving has become a major cause of auto accidents all over the world. Distracted drivers cause thousands of deaths annually and cause injury to approximately half a million other people annually according to the government’s official distracted driving website distraction.gov. The federal government estimates that approximately 660,000 drivers are using hand-held cell phones at any moment in time. Distracted driving rose by a third in Georiga from 2014 to 2016. 

Improper Lane Change

Failure to use a blinker while changing lanes is something many drivers are guilty of. Not signaling to other cars in nearby lanes that you are moving, can cause a rear-end or side collision. If people aren’t aware of what your intention is, how are they to know not to move over to the same lane, or slow down to let you in. 

Unsafe or Illegal Speed

Drivers who speed have less time to react to external factors and the actions of other drivers, making it difficult to avoid a crash. That is true whether they’re exceeding the posted limit, or if they’re simply traveling too fast for road or weather conditions. Victims of high-speed auto accidents can suffer serious injuries due to the high impact of the crash. 

If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, call 1-800-411-PAIN and get the help you need! We will refer you to the attorneys that will fight to get you the compensation you deserve and the medical attention you need. If you have been hurt in an accident, call 1-800-411-PAIN, and we will guide you in finding you the best medical and legal professionals.