In 2023, there were almost 243 million licensed drivers in the United States. In 2022, that number was 238 million and in 2021, 232 million – 7,663847 of them were from right here in Georgia. With so many people on the road each day, it’s easy to forget what a dangerous practice road travel can be.
According to the CDC, Heart disease, cancer, and COVID-19 were the three leading causes of death in the U.S in 2021. Just behind them was accidental death – which includes car accidents.
While Summer leads the seasons for the months with the most automobile accidents in July and August, a rise in the number of road trips and sunshine slowdowns at the height of the evening rush hour makes Spring the “springboard” for a potential spike in car crashes.
According to a recently published report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 38,824 people killed in motor vehicle accidents on U.S. roadways during 2020 – the largest number since 2007.
Of the estimated 5,215,071 non-fatal crashes that same year, roughly 2.28 million people were injured in auto accidents on U.S. roads – marking a year-over-year decrease of 17%. Most of these accidents involved speeding, alcohol-impaired driving, and seat belt non-use.
During the spring and summer months, fatal crashes tend to peak on weekends and between 8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m., while non-fatal crashes tend to peak on weekdays – particularly Fridays – and typically fall between 4 and 7:59 p.m.
So, what can you do to protect yourself and the ones that you love as you begin making plans for Spring and Summer vacations AND make the daily drive to and from work, school, the grocery store, your favorite restaurants, and more?
8 Ways to Avoid a Springtime Auto Accident in Georgia
1. Buckle Up
Due in large part to stringent laws, an estimated 90% of front-seat adult drivers and passengers wear their seatbelts. Unfortunately, among passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2020, more than half were unrestrained. It’s simply a best practice to buckle up and encourage your passengers to do the same.
2. Make Sure Your Children’s Car Seats Are Properly Installed
An improperly installed car seat may result in an avoidable injury to your littlest passengers. Feel free to visit your local fire department and have them check your car seat to ensure it’s properly installed – not just for the safety of your children, but also for your peace of mind.
3. Don’t Text and Drive
While there isn’t much you can do – short of taking a defensive driving course from Georgia's Department of Driver Services– to protect yourself from the actions of others, you can power down your bad habits… if any. If one of those is texting and driving, you should know that the practice of “distracted driving” is the cause of roughly 3,000 deaths and 400,000 injuries each year.
4. Drive Sober and Rested
The NHTSA reports that every day, an estimated 28 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes. That’s one person every 52 minutes. Again, while you can’t necessarily protect yourself from the actions of others, you can make the conscious decision not to drink and drive – setting a good example for any up-and-coming young drivers in the passenger and back seats.
5. Don’t Block the Airbags
You could fill Mercedes Benz Stadium to overflow with the lives saved by airbags since they were first introduced in 1987. However, an airbag can cause injury when deployed if the driver or passenger is too close to the point of deployment. While it might feel more comfortable to sit close to the dashboard, it might be in your best interest to shift your seat a little further back, so you’ll only be protected by the airbag and not injured by its impact in the event of an accident.
6. Make Sure You’re Properly Insured
While the main focus of this article is related to your physical safety, if you’re not properly insured and are at fault in an accident, your bank account might wind up taking the biggest hit. A good insurance plan will also protect you if you are injured in a no-fault accident or by an uninsured driver.
7. Watch for Pedestrians and Cyclists
Springtime increases pedestrian and cyclist traffic on Georgia's roads, making it essential to stay aware, especially in urban areas and near parks and schools. Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, and give cyclists the space they need. Remember, sharing the road safely helps prevent accidents and saves lives.
8. Have A Good Personal Injury Attorney in Your Contacts List
When meeting people or handing over our business cards, you’ll often hear John Edmonson say, “We hope you’ll never need our services.” As a personal injury, workers’ compensation, and social security disability law firm, we often meet our clients in their deepest moments of need – whether injured in an on-the-job accident or involved in a motor vehicle crash.
That said, if you are involved in a springtime auto accident (or any other auto accident) that results in an injury to you or one of your loved ones, it’s so important to have the number of a good personal injury attorney who can help ensure that you are awarded the settlement you deserve to aid in your recovery in your contact list.
If you’ve been involved in an automobile accident that resulted in an injury, we encourage you to contact us to schedule a FREE consultation where we will discuss your case in greater detail.
You can reach The Edmonson Law Firm, the leading law firm in Georgia for personal injury attorney cases by calling (678) 271-9111, filling out our secure online contact form, or dropping by our office – located at 924 Gainesville Hwy Suite 200 in Buford, GA. To learn about our other practice areas – including workers’ compensation and social security disability – be sure to visit us online at www.elf-legal.com.
From all of us here at Georgia’s Hometown Law Firm, we wish you and your family a happy and SAFE Spring!
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