Tired of all the bad news lately? Luckily, the DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has some good news for American drivers. In 2017, the number of traffic accident fatalities decreased by 2%. This was the first year fatalities decreased over the last several years. In fact, in 2015 and 2016 traffic fatalities had sharply increased. Just how much? In 2015 there was an 8.4% increase and in 2016 there was a 6.5% increase in traffic fatalities.
In Georgia, the number of traffic fatalities decreased as well after two years of large increases. Over the recent years, Georgia has seen an increase in pedestrian fatalities, similar to the rise in pedestrian accidents seen across the country. In 2017, however, pedestrian accidents also decreased thanks to improvements in safety and raising awareness for pedestrian dangers.
Room for Improvement
While this news is certainly encouraging, there is still significant room for improvement. Speeding drivers, drunk drivers, drug-impaired drivers, and distracted drivers are still causing thousands of fatal accidents every year. In particular, the number of distracted drivers who cause fatal accidents has sharply increased over the last several years. To combat this, Georgia passed a new Georgia Hands-Free Law to reduce the number of traffic deaths due to distracted driving. Safety experts hope that this law will encourage people to put their phones down while driving and pay attention to the road.
Ways You Can Reduce Your Risk of Injury
While you can’t prevent every accident from occurring, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting into a serious injury accident.
- Never drink and drive
- Put your phone away
- Program your GPS before you leave the house
- Keep your tires properly inflated
- Never drive under the influence of drugs – including over-the-counter and prescription medications
- Keep a watchful eye on the weather and avoid driving if possible
- Always obey posted speed limit signs
- Avoid road rage
- Keep your distance and don’t tailgate
- Watch closely for pedestrians and bicyclists
- Don’t drive in the blindspot of a large commercial truck
You’ve Been Injured – Now What?
Even when you try your best to follow all the rules of the road, serious accidents can still occur. If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Atlanta, Georgia, it is important to know your rights. You have a right to contact an attorney after an accident, so don’t let the insurance company convince you otherwise. Your attorney can review your case and determine if you have cause to file a claim or lawsuit. Your attorney will then be able to negotiate on your behalf to ensure that you receive the money you need to recover.
Be sure to act quickly! In the state of Georgia, you only have two years from the date of the accident to file your claim. While this may seem like a lot of time, it is important to contact a lawyer quickly because valuable evidence is often lost or destroyed within weeks of the accident. And without that evidence, you may not be able to clearly establish liability . This can significantly affect your ability to collect the money you need to pay for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Have You Suffered an Injury in an Atlanta Car Accident?
If you’ve suffered an injury in an Atlanta car accident, it is important to know that you are not alone. At Schnipper Law, P.C., our Atlanta car accident attorneys can help you during this difficult time. We can answer your questions, review all of your legal options with you and help you negotiate a fair settlement. Call Schnipper Law P.C., at (404) 545-5845 for a free initial consultation and review of your case. We can help you recover the money you need to put your life back together after a serious accident.
Additional Reading