Even careful and defensive drivers experience car crashes sometimes. The most common causes of car crashes in Georgia include distracted driving, impaired driving, reckless driving, mechanical failure and accidents involving weather events.
Causes of car crashes
Cellphones distract drivers. Food, passengers, pets or looking out the window at something strange happening outside are also common distractions. Often, distracted drivers miss stop signs or traffic signals. They have a difficult time staying in their own lane. Unfortunately, this kind of driving is also what impaired driving looks like.
Reckless drivers tend to look more intentional as they shift lanes, speed and seem to be aggressively driving. This is sometimes referred to as “road rage.”
Mechanical failure may be a blown tire, brakes that are slow to respond or another issue with the car. Regularly scheduled maintenance can help drivers avoid this situation.
Weather events can be ice or snow, but in Georgia, it’s often a case of heavy rain. If the weather makes it difficult to see the road ahead, it’s always a good idea to pull over and wait for the weather to pass. If you’re going to stay on the road, make sure that you have your lights on, that you drive slower and that you increase your following distance.
What to do
The first thing to do after a car crash is access whether you’re injured and then check on passengers. If you’re okay to drive, get the vehicle to a safe place out of the way of other cars. Then, contact the authorities for help.
Exchange information with the other drivers involved, but do so very calmly. Avoid ever making any statements of blame or cause about the accident. Document the scene by taking photos and videos where applicable.
Don’t avoid medical treatment, even if you feel fine. When you are able to do so, contact your insurance company to report the accident.
As you move forward, make sure that you are taking good care of yourself. This includes medical treatment, car repair and consulting any experts for help. Keep records of anything involving the accident. You may need the documentation for legal reasons down the road.