2009 Georgia Fatal Car Crash Statistics: More Than Numbers

As Atlanta auto accident attorneys, we see a lot of statistics. However, we also know that these statistics are more than just numbers. Behind the numbers are the tragic stories of family members who died before their time: a mom who will never see her daughter's prom, a high school senior who won't graduate, a grandfather who won't fish anymore. The statistics are only half the story.

In 2009, there were 1,284 car accident fatalities in Georgia. This was a 14% decrease from 2008 when there were 1,495 Georgia accident fatalities.

Of the 1,284 people who died in Georgia car crashes in 2009, 728 were drivers, 236 were passengers, 140 were motorcyclists, 150 were pedestrians and 21 were cyclists.

Fifty-five of these victims were children; 201 were senior citizens over age 65.

• Age <5: 12
  
• Age 5-9: 19
• Age 10-15: 24
• Age 15-20: 113
• Age 21-24: 120
• Age 25-34: 233
• Age 35-44: 190
• Age 45-54: 196
• Age 55-64: 174
• Age 65-74: 118
• Age >74: 83
• Unknown: 2

Accidents occurred in every county, but those counties near Atlanta had the most deaths.

Top Counties For Traffic Accident Fatalities 2009

1. Fulton 100
2. De Kalb 75
3. Gwinett 60
4. Chatham 37
5. Cobb 35
6. Richmond 28
7. Laurens 23
8. Whitfield 21
9. Hall 21
10. Muscogee 20
11. Bibb 20

1,107 vehicles were involved in fatal Georgia car crashes.

• Passenger cars: 455
• Pickups trucks: 230
• Utility trucks: 174
• Vans: 60
• Large Trucks: 29
• Buses: 0
• Other/Unknown: 20
• Motorcycles: 140

A total of 332 rollovers made up 36.1% of all fatal accidents

Almost half of Georgia's accident fatalities were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. More than 400 lives may have been saved if those victims had buckled up.

Thirty-one percent of fatal accidents were alcohol related.

Number of persons killed by driver BAC at the time of the crash:

• BAC=0: 885 (69%)
• BAC of .01 or greater: 394 (31%)
• BAC .01-.07: 63 (5%)
• BAC of .08+: 331 (26%)

Drivers involved in fatal crashes by driver BAC

• BAC=0: 1,362 (78%)
• BAC of .01 or greater: 379 (22%)
• BAC .01-.07: 62 (4%)
• BAC of .08+: 318 (18%)

If your loved one is one of these statistics, you have a right to be angry. He or she deserved a full and wonderful life. If that life ended because of a careless, reckless or drunk driver, you deserve justice for your loss. We'd like to help. To learn about wrongful death claims for family members of auto accident victims, contact the Law Offices of Shane Smith at 770-HURT-999 and ask to schedule a free consultation with an Atlanta auto accident attorney.

Atlanta car crash attorney Shane Smith has written a book to help Georgia car accident victims get the compensation they deserve. When you call, ask for a free copy of 10 Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Georgia Wreck Case.