Take Caution On Georgia Roads Over Labor Day Weekend

The unofficial end of summer means many will travel for celebrations across Georgia, but Labor Day weekend proves to be one of the most prominent holidays to be injured in a car accident. The Georgia DOT has released a traffic forecast warning Georgia motorists to take caution as traffic has risen to pre-pandemic levels.

With events like football games, parades, festivals, and more, Georgians can expect more motorists on the road breaking traffic laws. Car wrecks over Labor Day are the result of impaired driving, speeding, seat belt violations, and distracted driving resulting in injuries to everyone involved, and even fatalities.

Georgia Labor Day Weekend Accident Statistics

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working with Georgia law enforcement to decrease impaired driving this holiday. The administration provided the following statistics from Labor Day weekend in 2019:

• During the 2019 Labor Day holiday period (6 p.m. August 30 – 5:59 a.m. September 3), 38% of fatalities in traffic crashes involved a drunk driver.
• During the 2019 Labor Day holiday period, there were 451 crash fatalities nationwide. Forty-five percent of those fatalities involved drivers who had been drinking (.01+ blood alcohol concentration [BAC]). More than one-third (38%) of the fatalities involved drivers who were drunk (.08+ BAC), and nearly one-fourth (24%) involved drivers who were driving with a BAC almost twice the legal limit (.15+ BAC).
• In fatal crashes during the month of August over the five-year period of 2015-2019, 8% of the drunk drivers involved, with a BAC of .08 or higher, had one or more previous convictions for drunk driving.
• Among drivers between the ages of 18 and 34 who were killed in crashes over the Labor Day holiday period in 2019, 46% of those drivers were drunk, with BACs of .08 or higher.

Almost all accidents are due to negligence and can be avoidable if motorists take extra caution when traveling in heavy traffic. While citations can be enforced, those who recklessly cause injuries to others are not held accountable until it’s too late. The Georgia State Patrol reported the following from the 78-hour span of the holiday weekend in 2020:

• 309 drivers were arrested for impaired driving
• 8,854 traffic citations were issued
• 19 traffic fatalities were reported

How To Travel Safely During Labor Day

Every Georgia motorist can do their part in keeping the roads safe when traveling this Labor Day weekend. Plan ahead and be prepared to make changes to transportation, especially if you or loved ones are drinking alcohol at any point.

• Look at predicted traffic updates and provide yourself with ample time to arrive at your destination.
• Be aware of other motorists on the road and remove all distractions such as cell phones and maps.
• Get plenty of rest after a night out before getting behind the wheel.
• Designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely, even if you’ve had only one drink.
• Use ride share services like Lyft and Uber if there is not a designated driver in your group.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact the police.
• Monitor the amount of drinks any loved ones have had and take the keys away to make arrangements to get your friend home safely.

Car accidents are unpredictable and can happen to anyone. Taking extra caution when driving protects yourself, your loved ones, and others from sustaining life-changing injuries.

What To Expect After A Car Wreck on Labor Day Weekend

Traveling for holidays is full of excitement and planning for when you arrive at your destination, but it is also worth being prepared for the possibility that you’re injured a car accident. Knowing how to handle a personal injury claim after being injured in a car wreck will further protect you and your loved ones from unfair treatment.

After a car accident, notify 911 where you are and what kind of help you or others may need from medics if you are safely able to do so. Seek treatment immediately, even if you are unsure of any injuries or pain felt after the shock of the impact. Your personal injury claim comes second to your health.

Gather as much evidence as possible, such as photographs and witnesses, and call a car accident attorney while you wait for the police to arrive. Because it is a holiday weekend, you and the other driver may be asked to be breathalyzed or take a field sobriety test when police arrive. Unless you are absolutely sure your blood alcohol content is zero, a car accident lawyer may advise you to refuse the roadside test. Even if the other party bears all of the fault of the accident, blowing any number above zero can risk your personal injury claim later on. It is important to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your rights during this process.

Exchange insurance information with the other driver but do not begin filing a claim or speaking to an adjuster without an attorney. Insurance companies are notorious for devaluing the value of personal injury claims based on the amount of property damage to the vehicles, allegations of pre-existing injuries, the presence of degenerative conditions, or what they feel should be the reasonable cost of the medical treatment you received. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney at Southside will help prove the other driver’s negligence and reduce the likelihood of devaluation.

You shouldn’t have to pay a penny for damages when another driver’s negligence caused a car wreck. An experienced car accident attorney can help you recover compensation for injuries and more such as:

• Current and future medical bills
• Loss of income
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement and permanent scarring
• Emotional distress
• Property and vehicle damage

Only discuss your accident with your lawyer and keep up with all records related to the accident and your injuries. The faster you contact an attorney, the better your chances are at receiving full compensation to help you and your loved ones in the event of a car wreck.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer At Southside Injury Attorneys

Southside Injury Attorneys offer a more personal and individualized experience. We are available to our clients from the very start. Unlike with other personal injury firms, from the first time you call or step into our office, you will speak with an actual attorney, not a paralegal or assistant. We get to know our clients, develop relationships with them, and offer a personalized approach to the handling of each and every case. In being available to our clients at every stage of the process, we are able to help them avoid the typical pitfalls that lead to devaluation, which increases the value of each and every case. Give us a call today for a free case evaluation.

Call or contact the law office of Southside Injury Attorneys for experienced attorneys that can help when you’ve been injured. We have six convenient locations in McDonough, Stockbridge, Peachtree City, Jackson, Barnesville, and Griffin. We also serve clients all over the state of Georgia, including in Henry County, Clayton County, Fulton County, Fayette County, Douglas County, Butts County, Lamar county, Spalding County, and Coweta County.

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