Totaling 329 square miles, Augusta-Richmond County has at least two dozen highways that take people to and from the area, like Interstate 20, Interstate 520, U.S. Route 1, State Route 4, State Route 555, and others. All sorts of people use the highway, from Uber drivers to truck drivers and private individuals.
With so many drivers on the road, an accident is bound to happen. Whether you are traveling on an interstate highway or county road, highway accidents can lead to serious injuries, like broken bones, head and neck injuries, back injuries, and emotional pain. That is why the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and other agencies collect data to learn more about how to make driving safer for all.
If you have been injured in a highway accident, you should work with a personal injury lawyer in Augusta who can determine the at-fault party in your specific case. T. Madden & Associates, P.C. is a Black-owned law firm representing clients throughout Richmond County. Call now to learn more about your rights under Georgia law.
Accident Statistics For Richmond County
The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety’s (GOHS) mission is to reduce the number of traffic injuries and fatalities by providing highway safety data and fact-based analyses. GOHS reports 30 fatalities in Richmond County in 2020 from car accidents, up from 26 the year before.
There were 71 crashes in Augusta specifically, resulting in 141 people suffering injuries, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation Crash Data Portal. In 2018, there were 7,608 motor vehicle-related hospitalizations and 115,909 emergency room visits in the state. That same year, Georgia had the 4th greatest number of crash fatalities in the US and about 25,000 serious injuries from accidents, according to the Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System.
Speeding is the number one cause of most crashes in Georgia. Nearly 3,500 people are critically injured in speed-related crashes every month in the Peach State, which costs taxpayers an estimated $877 per second. Speeding contributed to an 8.9% increase in motor vehicle crashes resulting in injury from 1990 to 1995.
What are the most common highway accidents?
Driving is dangerous. You have to deal with speeding or drunk drivers, uneven pavement, bumpy roads, construction sites, and distracted drivers. Sometimes you also have to deal with foul weather. Below you can learn more about the types of accidents that commonly occur on highways.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of injurious highway accidents, at 33%. These occur when one vehicle strikes another from behind. These typically result in catastrophic spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage. These types of accidents tend to occur when drivers are speeding and weaving through lanes trying to get ahead in traffic. This type of risky maneuvering doesn’t give the driver time or distance to slow down, so they can slam into the back of a speed limit-abiding driver.
Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents can happen for a few reasons, like poor vehicle design (making the vehicle more prone to tipping over) or improper cargo loading. Cargo loaders must comply with the Department of Transportation’s Cargo Securement Rules. In 2020, trucks carried 12.5 billion tons, according to the Transportation Statistics Annual Report published by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Cargo should be loaded so that the heaviest items are closest to the cab, for example, to reduce the chances of cargo shifting and throwing off the truck’s balance.
Sideswipe Accidents
These accidents occur when drivers don’t check their blindspot before changing lanes, weave in and out of lanes, or merge onto the highway. Because of the high speeds cars travel at while on the highway, the impact can make both drivers lose control of their vehicles and even hit other cars. Drivers should always use their blinkers to signal that they want to change lanes and check to make sure the lane is clear before moving.
T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents occur on divided highways or highways with intersections, usually. Crossing in front of a highway is dangerous, with cars and trucks traveling at 45mph or faster. The National Transportation Highway Safety Administration estimates that as many as 8,000 fatalities occur annually due to deadly T-bone accidents.
What are the statistics on car accidents in the US?
Data from the Federal Highway Administration shows that vehicle miles traveled in 2021 increased by about 325 billion miles from 2020. Driving too fast for conditions, exceeding the posted speed limit, and street racing were the most frequently cited contributing factors in 19.1% of fatal car and motorcycle crashes in 2020.
The age group of drivers most likely to be involved in an accident are 25 to 34-year olds. In 2020 they were 39,900,499 licensed drivers between the ages of 25 and 34 involved in crashes. The next most likely group to be involved in an accident are 55 and older. In that same year, 39,417,228 licensed drivers between the ages of 55 and 64 were involved in motor vehicle crashes in the United States.
In 2017, motor vehicle traffic deaths were the leading cause of injury deaths for children and adults between the ages of 5 and 24 in the US.
Which state has the most freeway accidents?
California has the most freeway accidents in the U.S. Researchers discovered that the five states with the most fatal crashes in 2020 were California, Texas, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. In a state with over 10 million residents, there were 1,522 fatal crashes in Georgia in 2020, resulting in 1,664 lives lost.
Who is liable for a highway accident?
Usually, the liable party is another driver, and the claim is filed with the at-fault driver’s insurance. However, if there was more than one driver involved in the accident, or if the accident was due to the negligence of a mechanic, then your Augusta car accident lawyer will investigate the cause of the crash to determine who is liable.
76.1% of Georgia communities depend exclusively on trucks to move their goods. With so many large vehicles on the road, an accident is likely to occur. Some possible liable parties are:
- The truck driver: Commercial semi trucks are on all of Georgia highways and can be dangerous. For this reason, Georgia regulates which lane larger vehicles are allowed to drive in. If the driver was violating this, or any other law or regulation, and that breach of care led to the accident, then the driver can be held liable.
- The trucking company: Due to a legal doctrine called respondeat superior, employers can be liable for the actions of their employees while they are working within the scope of their employment
- The truck manufacturer: If defective vehicle parts or design caused your accident, then you will need a strong attorney to stand up to the manufacturer
You may also be able to sue a government entity for damages if you have sustained an injury after an accident on a poorly maintained road. Likewise, if a construction company left debris on the road, or if a safety inspection company or agency failed to identify a hazard that resulted in your accident, then the at-fault entity will be held liable.
What are some of the possible damages I can receive in a highway accident case?
Highways are dangerous, especially during rush hour and at night. Severe or even catastrophic injuries will require thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical care, from the ambulance ride until the victim has reached maximum medical improvement. The victim is unable to work due to their injuries, leading to financial concerns. This adds to the stress and emotional anguish of the accident.
Economic damages compensate you for your financial losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, property damage, and other costs related to the accident. Noneconomic damages are non-financial losses like pain and suffering. An attorney fights for you to be compensated for both types of damages in a fair and just settlement.
When To Contact An Attorney
If you have been injured in an accident on the highway, you should get checked out by a qualified physician and be evaluated for injuries. You should call us within 24 hours or as soon as possible after your accident before you talk to the insurance company. Since most insurance companies require you to report an accident within 24 to 72 hours, you should call us immediately to get started on your case.
The statute of limitations on personal injury claims is two years from the accident date in Georgia. However, you should not wait that long. Call T. Madden & Associates, P.C. today at 833-685-2785. As a black-owned law firm, our goal is to bring access to accident victims in Richmond County and help them move forward.