The latest traffic accident data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for 2013 shows a nationwide traffic fatality rate of 30,057 which is a slight decrease from 2012's total of 31,006 deaths. The good news is, fewer than 1 percent of all traffic crashes nationwide resulted in a death. However, significant injury accidents still occur and cause those involved to lose their good health, time at work, money, and emotional peace.
Taking a look at Georgia traffic accident statistics from 2013, we see that our state has one of the highest crash and fatality rates nationwide. In fact, Georgia ranks 7th in the nation for the highest number of traffic fatalities.
2013 Georgia Traffic Accident Statistics
According to the statistics recorded by the NHTSA, Georgia traffic fatalities decreased slightly from the past year with 1,192 reported deaths in 2012 and 1,179 reported in 2013, a 17 percent decrease.
Alcohol was an important factor in several of the fatal crashes in 2013 with 4 percent of all crashes (53 in total) involving a driver blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .01 to .07 (under the limit). Twenty-five percent of all fatal crashes (297 in total) involved a driver with a BAC of .08 or greater.
Of the 1,179 fatalities in Georgia in 2013, 176 were pedestrians, resulting in a pedestrian fatality rate of 1.76 deaths per 100,000 people. As many Georgia cities push for walkable business districts, pedestrian safety is a growing concern. The Law Office of Jason R. Schultz is proud to report that Georgia is working to increase walker safety through a program called PEDS: Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety.
The types of vehicles involved in the 2013 fatal crash statistics are diverse, and no single type dominated the data with respect to Georgia's average traffic makeup.
- Passenger cars: 447
- Light trucks: 364
- Large Trucks: 26
- Busses: 1
- Motorcycles: 116
- Other/unknown vehicle: 16
While the majority of the drivers of these vehicles were the victims, a large number of passengers and other people made up the 2013 Georgia traffic fatality counts.
The following is a breakdown of the types of people killed in Georgia traffic accidents.
- 609 drivers
- 239 passengers
- 116 motorcyclists
- 176 pedestrians
- 28 bicyclists
- 11 other/unknown
The majority of these victims (202 in total) were ages 24-34, and 62 victims were under the age of 15.
Georgia Traffic Accident Statistics By County
The Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) recently released its county-specific data for Georgia traffic accidents. Fayette County reported 2,927 crashes in 2013, up from 2,499 the previous year. Of those crashes, 812 resulted in serious injuries and eight resulted in fatalities.
The reported fatalities in Fayette County did not include any motorcyclists, a first for the past two years. However, that year the county saw its first two pedestrian fatalities in the past five years.
Unsurprisingly, Fulton County saw the highest rate of traffic crashes and fatalities of all the Georgia counties. In 2013, 54,385 crashes were reported, following a 4-year trend of increasing accidents. Injuries decreased slightly from the previous year with 14,304 serious injuries reported. Fatalities have risen slightly over the past three years with 85 reported in 2013.
Other Georgia counties with high crash and fatality rates include the following.
- Gwinnett: 34,109 crashes, 10,247 injuries, 45 fatalities
- Dekalb: 33,136 crashes, 9,563 injuries, 70 fatalities
- Cobb - 23,493 crashes, 7,459 injuries, 59 fatalities
Injury after a Georgia Car Accident
After going over Georgia traffic accident statistics, it is needless to say that we are all susceptible to a car crash in Georgia. This can happen at any time, and it may leave a victim with severe personal injuries. If your accident was the result of someone else's negligence, your damages might be compensated through a Georgia personal injury claim.
When you file a claim for damages after a traffic accident, the insurer will send an adjuster to evaluate your claim. Often, however, an adjuster will underestimate the value of your claim. Therefore, before you file a claim, you may want to get the help of an attorney.
When you hire a Peachtree City car accident lawyer, your lawyer can investigate your case, and help estimate the value of your claim. If an adjuster does not offer you the money you deserve, your lawyer can attempt to negotiate with the insurance company for you. If these negotiations fail, you may choose to pursue damages in a formal court of law, with which your lawyer can also assist you.
As the victim of a Georgia car accident, you have rights that the insurance companies cannot ignore. While they have a team of lawyers working on their side, you have the right to have an experienced legal representative fighting for your best interests. Before accepting any settlement offer, contact the Law Offices of Jason Schultz to schedule a FREE consultation on your case - 404-474-0804.