May 12, 2025 | Car Accidents
Atlanta car accidents happen every day. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, there were 384,527 traffic crashes throughout the state in 2022, with Atlanta accounting for about 9% of all accidents despite having only 5% of the state’s population.
Top 12 Reasons For Car Accidents
Here are a dozen of the leading reasons drivers get into collisions in Atlanta and elsewhere:
1. Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a primary cause of car accidents in Atlanta. Distraction comes in many forms, including using devices, adjusting vehicle controls, eating or drinking, talking to passengers, and applying makeup. Each of these activities takes the driver’s focus away from the road.
2. Speeding
Higher speeds mean less time to react to emergencies. According to state data, speeding-related fatalities increased to 422 in 2022, up from 378 in 2021.
3. Drunk Or Drugged Driving
State data records 507 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2022. The legal limit in Georgia is 0.08%. However, faculties like reaction speed start to diminish with the first drink, long before reaching the legal limit. Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and illegal substances can all impact driving ability as well.
4. Following Too Closely
Following too closely is a major cause of rear-end collisions. The main problem is that it leaves no room for error. Even if a driver is alert, they may not have enough time or space to stop if the vehicle ahead suddenly brakes.
5. Running Red Lights And Stop Signs
According to the data for 2022, 22% of all fatal crashes (365 out of 1,678) occurred at or within 50 feet of an intersection. These accidents often result in T-bone collisions, where the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another. Since the sides of most vehicles have less protection than the front or rear, these collisions can have devastating consequences.
6. Reckless Or Aggressive Driving
The Georgia Traffic Safety Facts report shows that drivers involved in fatal crashes with alcohol in their system were 2.9 times more likely to be speeding, indicating how risky behaviors often happen together. Such behaviors create unpredictable situations that increase the crash risk for everyone nearby.
7. Driver Fatigue
Fatigue slows reaction times, affects judgment, and can cause microsleeps, which are brief moments where a driver actually falls asleep for a few seconds. This problem is particularly common among shift workers, truck drivers, and people with sleep disorders, but it can affect anyone who doesn’t get enough rest.
8. Poor Weather Conditions
Weather conditions like rain and fog reduce visibility, decrease tire grip, and create unexpected hazards. Some Atlanta drivers may not have much experience with bad weather, leading to poor decisions when conditions worsen.
9. Inexperienced Drivers
Newer drivers lack the skills and judgment that come with experience. Some 192 young drivers aged 15–20 were involved in fatal crashes in 2022. What’s more, young drivers may be more easily distracted and influenced by peers, further increasing their risk of accidents.
10. Vehicle Defects
Vehicle issues that can lead to accidents include brake failures, tire blowouts, steering system malfunctions, headlight failures, and engine stalling in traffic. Regular maintenance can prevent many of these issues, which is why proper vehicle care is so important.
11. Poor Road Conditions
Sometimes, the road itself contributes to accidents. Poor road conditions, such as badly designed intersections, missing signs, lack of proper lighting, potholes, and improperly timed traffic signals, increase the probability of mishaps on the road.
12. Pedestrian Or Cyclist Interactions
Urban areas like Atlanta see frequent interactions between cars, cyclists, and pedestrians. Pedestrian fatalities in the city increased to 345 in 2022, up from 307 in 2021. Bicyclist fatalities also nearly doubled from 15 in 2021 to 29 in 2022.
Staying Safe On The Road
You can’t control other drivers or road conditions, but you can control your own behavior. Staying alert, avoiding distractions, maintaining a safe following distance, and driving at appropriate speeds can greatly reduce your risk of a crash.
Contact our Car Accident Lawyers at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC for Legal Help With Your Case
If you suffered serious injuries after a car crash in Atlanta, Georgia we are here for you. If you’d like to schedule a free case consultation with an experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney from Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC, please don’t hesitate to call (404) 869-8600, or you can visit our office:
Goldstein Hayes & Lina Accident Lawyers
3060 Peachtree Rd NW UNIT 1000,
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 869-8600