Car accidents happen every day all over Georgia, and they injure people and cause fatalities. Most of the time, the cause of a wreck can be traced back to an error by one of the drivers involved. Among the most common causes of car wrecks are distracted driving, drunk driving, reckless driving, speeding and dangerous weather conditions.
Distracted driving has been the most common cause of traffic accidents for several years in the United States, and the problem is getting worse. Drivers who eat, drink, use their phones or put on their makeup while behind the wheel can end up in a crash even if they take their eyes from the road for only a few seconds.
Intoxication severely impacts reaction time and the ability to focus on complex tasks like driving. Driving drunk leads to many accidents in Georgia, and it’s among the leading causes of car accidents nationwide. Driving recklessly, too, causes a large number of accidents. Driver behaviors like tailgating, changing lanes quickly and ignoring traffic signals are all indicative of reckless driving.
Speeding may also rise to the level of reckless driving, and it makes car crashes more severe. The faster a vehicle is traveling, the more force it has, and the harder it is for the driver to maintain control and make driving decisions in time. Speeding drivers are less likely to avoid crashes and more likely to cause them. Bad weather can lead to slick roads or impact visibility for drivers.
People in Georgia who are hurt in car wrecks might benefit from the help of a lawyer. A lawyer who practices personal injury law might be able to help by gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to determine what happened and build a case. A lawyer may identify parties who have liability and attempt to negotiate settlement with insurers. Injured parties might have claims for lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses or other damages.