The Most Common Causes of Atlanta Car Accidents

There are approximately twelve million motor vehicle accidents a year that involve up to 20 million vehicles and cause almost two million debilitating injuries, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). In addition, there are close to thirty thousand more vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians who die in fatal motor vehicle collisions annually.

While not every motor vehicle accident that causes injury necessarily provides a legal claim for compensation, negligent conduct by other drivers, carmakers, government agencies and others may result in liability for monetary damages.

At the Atlanta auto accident law firm of Montlick and Associates, our experienced auto accident lawyers have been representing drivers, passengers, pedestrians and others injured in motor vehicle accidents for nearly three decades. Some of the most common forms of negligent conduct that cause car accidents in the greater Atlanta metro area and other cities throughout Georgia include:

Excessive Speed: There is a proven correlation between upward increases in the speed limit and car accident fatalities rates, based on a number of federal studies. Whether a driver exceeds maximum freeways speeds or violates speed limits in school zones, construction zones or blind curves, the danger posed to passengers in the speeding vehicle, occupants of other vehicles and others on the roadways is potentially catastrophic.

Distracted Driving: Talking or texting on cell phones contributes to as many as 28 percent of car accidents according to the AAA Foundation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 80 percent of auto collisions result from some form of driver inattention or distraction. While Georgia and other states have passed legislation aimed at curbing cell phone use when driving, many drivers disregard these bans or engage in other forms of distracted driving, such as eating and drinking, grooming, reading, adjusting car radios, playing videos and similar forms of multi-tasking.

Driving under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs: Although the majority of drivers would concede that operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated is unacceptable, almost a third of all traffic-related fatalities result from this form of negligent driving. Alcohol-impaired driving is the most common form of substance-impaired driving, but the frequency of traffic accidents related to prescription medications, such as painkillers, sleep-aids and anti-anxiety medications has risen substantially in recent years.

Running Stop Signs or Red Lights: Intersections pose a multitude of risks since careful coordination and observation of traffic rules is essential to prevent drivers from traveling directly into the path of other vehicles. When drivers do not carefully observe traffic safety laws and pay attention to the presence of other vehicles and pedestrians, wrongful death and permanent debilitating injury may result.

Decisions not to Adjust Driving in Inclement Weather: When streets and interstates in the Atlanta area are icy or wet from rain, sleet or snow, these types of weather compromise a driver’s ability to safely negotiate curves, execute turns and stop their vehicle. While prudent drivers will stay off the road, exercise extra caution and/or reduce their speed in bad weather, many drivers fail to adapt their driving to account for reduced visibility and traction.

Violation of Other Traffic Safety Laws: One of the primary functions of traffic safety laws is to provide rules for the orderly coordination of motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. When drivers fail to comply with right-of-way rules, traffic signs or signals and other traffic laws, these violations can easily cause a car accident.

Our Atlanta auto accident lawyers are available to represent clients who are injured in car accidents throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.