THE DANGERS OF GEORGIA ROADS

A closer look at vehicle accidents in Georgia

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Georgia’s Roads at a GlanceGeorgia contains over 120,000 miles of roads, which host a surprising amount of traffic every single day. In fact, the Georgia Department of Transportation estimates that on an average day, vehicles in Georgia travel a total of nearly 300 million miles - that’s the equivalent of three roundtrips to Mars. But how does this incredible amount of traffic actually impact our daily lives? As you’ll see, Georgians face a number of challenges on our roads, from traffic congestion to serious injuries.

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Challenges Facing Georgia’s DriversIn order to accommodate a high volume of traffic, Georgia’s infrastructure is constantly in need of attention. The following statistics from TRIP, a non-profit national transportation research group, highlight the fact that the costs of infrastructure problems are often being carried by our drivers.■ Driving on deficient roads costs Georgians

nearly $8 billion every year. ■ Traffic congestion costs Georgia drivers $3.8

billion every year in the form of lost wages and wasted fuel.

■ 10 percent of major urban roads in Ga. are in poor condition, and 16 percent of our bridges need repairs, improvements or replacement.

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Georgia Vehicle Accident Statistics■ From 2009 to 2013, 6,136 drivers were killed

on Georgia roads, an average of 1,227 fatalities every year, according to Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

■ From 2009 to 2013, Georgia had 569,698 traffic-related injuries, an average of nearly 114,000 injuries every year.

■ In 2015, Georgia experienced one of the highest increases in the rate of traffic fatalities - 22 percent.

■ Road fatalities in Georgia cost an estimated $1.63 billion every year.

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Dangerous Locations for Georgia Drivers■ Georgia was dubbed the “seventh worst state” for vehicle

fatalities by Vox in 2013.■ Over half (53 percent) of Georgia road fatalities occurred on

urban roads in 2013.■ An analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration by Vox found that I-285 in Georgia was the deadliest interstate in the United States.

■ One report found that Atlanta’s roads were among the most dangerous in the nation, especially the interchanges of I-285 and I-75 and I-285 and I-20.

■ Memorial Drive and N Road, Stone Mountain was one of the most dangerous intersections in the state of Georgia, according to a report by Channel 2 Action News.

■ The Intersection of Covington Highway and Panola Road in Lithonia was also named one of the most dangerous intersections in the state.

■ In Macon, Gray Highway and Shurling Drive was named the most dangerous intersection in the city by WGXA.

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Three Common Types of Vehicle Collisions

■ Rear-end collisions - Rear-end collisions are the most common form of all vehicle collisions. The United Transportation Union says they account for as many as one-third of all vehicle accidents.

■ Head-on collisions - Head-on collisions are some of the deadliest on our roads, frequently causing fatalities or passenger ejections.

■ T-bone collisions - These collisions occur when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle. They are especially common at intersections.

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Subcategories of Vehicle AccidentsEvery form of transportation comes with its own benefits and drawbacks. Unfortunately, no form of transportation is completely risk-free. The term “vehicle accident” can include:■ Car Accidents■ Truck Accidents (Consumer or commercial

trucks)■ Bus Accidents■ Motorcycle Accidents■ Bicycle Accidents■ Pedestrian Accidents

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Common Causes of Vehicle AccidentsIt is estimated that over 90 percent of vehicle crashes are the result of human error. Here are just a few common causes of automobile accidents:■ Drunk driving - A person is injured in a drunk driving crash every

two minutes in the United States. ■ Distracted driving - Every day in the United States,

8 people lose their life and another 1,161 people are injured due to distracted driving.

■ Fatigued or drowsy driving - Fatigue contributes to 1,550 fatalities and 71,000 injuries in the United States every year.

■ Reckless driving practices – This includes improper lane changes, failure to yield to traffic signals or traffic signs, and speeding or traveling too fast for conditions.

■ The presence of road debris - From 2011 to 2014, the presence of road debris caused approximately 500 fatalities and 39,000 injuries in the United States.

■ Causes related to the vehicle - The two most common factors in accidents caused by vehicles are tire problems, such as tire blowouts, and brake failures (35 and 22 percent, respectively).

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Common Injuries in Vehicle Accidents■ Fractures■ Spinal Cord Injuries■ Traumatic Brain Injuries■ Internal damage■ Whiplash■ Burns■ Wrongful death

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Making Our Roads SaferWe can all do our part to make roads in Georgia as safe as possible. Here are a few tips that all Georgians should consider when getting behind the wheel of their vehicle:■ Be mindful of recalls that might include your vehicle.■ Routinely inspect your vehicle’s headlights, tires,

wipers and fluids.■ Have a list of emergency contacts in your phone in

case of a crash.■ Put away your phone or mobile device before

driving.■ If enjoying a night out that might involve drinking

alcohol, arrange transportation ahead of time.

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What to Do After Being Involved in a Vehicle AccidentIf you have the unfortunate experience of being involved in a vehicle accident, consider taking the following steps:■ See if anyone involved is injured. If they are, call an

ambulance immediately.■ Call the police so an officer can respond to the scene.■ If possible, move your vehicle off of the road.■ Gather the information of the other driver, including

their name, phone number and insurance information.■ If possible, take pictures of the scene. ■ Gather the contact information of anyone who

witnessed the crash. ■ If you or one of your passengers was injured, consider

calling an attorney as soon as possible.

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HAVE YOU BEEN INJURED?

If you have been injured by the negligence of another driver, contact the Georgia vehicle accident attorney David Mann. Victims often have to face a number of terrible consequences after a car crash, including pain, suffering, medical bills,

ongoing treatment, loss of income and loss of the ability to work. David Mann will fight to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Contact him today to learn more about he can help you. www.manninjurylaw.com