Georgia Motor Vehicle Collision Statistics

Posted in: Car Accidents by Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers

Motor vehicle collisions are among Georgia’s leading causes of severe injuries and fatalities. In 2020, more than 330,000 accidents and 1,730 people were killed. As a result, Georgia ranks 4th in the country’s leading number of fatal collisions.

2020 Injury and Fatality Data

Between 2020 to 2021, traffic fatalities in Georgia jumped by a shocking 21%, even with the drop in travel due to the pandemic. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also reports the following most recent data for 2020:

1,664 people were killed in traffic accidents.
The fatality rate was 1.43 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT).
7,625 people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle collisions, at a rate of 6.58 serious injuries per 100 million VMT.
402 fatal accidents involved a driver who was impaired by alcohol.
Speed-related accidents caused 380 traffic fatalities.
192 motorcyclists were killed in collisions.
Since 2007, more than 10% of all traffic fatalities were motorcyclists.
2,365 drivers were involved in fatal motor vehicle collisions.
There were 279 pedestrian fatalities.
32 bicyclists were killed in accidents.
The majority of traffic fatalities occurred in urban areas.
Fulton County saw the highest number of traffic fatalities, followed by Dekalb, then Cobb.

Leading Causes of Motor Vehicle Collisions in Georgia

The following are the leading factors of motor vehicle accidents in Georgia.

Speeding

A driver is considered speeding if they travel above the posted speed limit or at a speed that makes operating a vehicle unsafe for certain road conditions. Speeding or driving too fast for roadway conditions are leading causes of traffic fatalities in Georgia. At higher speeds, a driver’s reaction time reduces, as does their overall control of the vehicle. As a result, a driver’s attempts to slow down or stop to avoid a crash are limited, increasing the risk of severe or deadly injuries to all involved.

Alcohol

When a driver is impaired by alcohol, they are putting themselves and the lives of others at risk. Drivers with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of over 0.10 are seven times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than sober drivers. Alcohol can give drivers a false sense of confidence, but in reality, they have difficulty maintaining a constant speed, control, and trajectory. Alcohol also often leads to increased risk-taking, such as speeding, failing to wear a seat belt, abrupt lane changes, and other reckless decisions.

Distracted Driving

Nine people die every day from distracted driving, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Texting while driving in particular is an extremely dangerous distraction. Although reading or sending a text typically only takes a driver’s eyes and hands off the road for five seconds, if they are traveling at 55 mph, it is equivalent to driving the length of a football field with their eyes closed.

Have You Been Involved in a Car Accident in Georgia?

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or lost their lives in a car accident in Georgia, we can help. Our Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers at Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers can advise you on the next steps for holding the wrongful party accountable. Call 678-940-4453 or reach us online to arrange a free consultation today.