A new study by an insurance company ranks Georgia as one of five states that together account for more than 40% of all auto accident wrongful deaths in the country.
In the first three quarters of 2022, a total of 31,785 car accident fatalities were recorded on American roads. As many as 37% of these deaths, however, occurred in only 5 states. One of those states is Georgia.
There is no denying the fact that Georgia has a serious problem with traffic safety. During the first 9 months of 2022, a total of 1,353 auto accident wrongful deaths were recorded in the state of Georgia. That was a 3.8% increase from the same period of time in 2021.
It seems that 2023 is not turning out to be any different. As many as 19 people were killed in auto accidents over the New Years’ holiday in Georgia. Those are staggeringly high numbers, and, in fact, are the logical conclusion of a deadly holiday season in Georgia that resulted in 32 auto accident fatalities, an increase over the 16 fatalities that were recorded during the same season the previous year.
Only the most optimistic would fail to concede that Georgia has a serious problem with auto safety, and that strong measures are called for by state officials. The Georgia Department of Public Safety does seem to have responded to these concerns, and has launched initiatives that are aimed at helping reduce the number of people killed in auto accidents in the state. These efforts include initiatives to reduce the number of alcohol -intoxicated drivers on our streets. Speeding is another major factor boosting the numbers of auto accident deaths in the state. The numbers of motorcyclists being killed in car accidents also deserve special attention.
The Department Of Public Safety is working on initiatives to help reduce the numbers of pedestrians and motorcyclists killed in auto accidents in Georgia every year. Some of these initiatives over the past few years have yielded good results. For example, Georgia laws against the use of cell phones while texting and driving have resulted in reduced numbers of motorists using their cell phones while driving under threat of financial penalties for violations.
As a motorist in Georgia, there are several steps you can take to avoid becoming a part of these unfortunate statistics. Always wear a seatbelt while driving, and make sure that everybody else in your car is buckled in as well. Pay special attention to back seat passengers – studies show that they are much less likely to wear seatbelts compared to front seat passengers and drivers. Avoid driving under the influence of alcohol, and avoid the temptation to reach for your cell phone at the wheel. Last but not least, drive within posted speed limits.
The Atlanta car crash attorneys at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers are dedicated to the representation of persons injured in car accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across Georgia. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a car accident, talk to a lawyer at our firm and determine if you have legal options to a claim for damages. You may be eligible for compensation that includes medical expenses, lost income and other types of damages. Talk to an attorney at our firm and discuss your case.