Fatal Vehicle Accidents

Thousands of drivers and passengers die every year on America’s roads, and the cost of these deaths is enormous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 29,989 fatal motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2014 resulting in a cost of $242 billion. These crashes involved 44,858 motor vehicles and 32,675 fatalities.

Nationwide, there were 1,678 young drivers ages 16 to 20 who died in crashes. At all ages, males had higher per capita crash death rates than females. Males 20 to 24 years old and 85 and older had the highest rates of crash deaths. Females ages 12 and younger had the lowest rate. Half of crash deaths occurred on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, and 32 percent occurred between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. Ten percent of all fatalities included reports of distracted driving, 28 percent of all fatalities were in speeding-related crashes and at least 846 people died in wrecks involving drowsy drivers.

In Georgia, there were 1,080 fatal crashes resulting in 1,164 deaths. The highest percentage of Georgia vehicle crash deaths involved occupants of cars (39 percent), followed by occupants of SUVs and pickups (28 percent), pedestrians (14 percent), motorcyclists (10 percent), large truck occupants (2 percent), and bicyclists (2 percent). Just over half of the deaths in the Peach State occurred in single-vehicle crashes, 60 percent happened on urban roads, and 24 percent involved an alcohol-impaired driver.

These fatal vehicle wrecks have a huge impact on the loved ones left behind. If your family member has been killed in a car accident, it is important that you contact a GA fatal auto crash attorney as soon as possible to begin investigating the accident. At the Mann Law Firm, we have successfully represented victims throughout Middle Georgia who have been injured in traffic crashes as well as the families of those who have been killed by a reckless driver. We know how the Georgia legal system operates and can help you get the maximum amount of recovery.

A graduate of Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law, Attorney David Mann practiced insurance defense work early in his career, which gives him unique insight into both sides of the legal process and can be very advantageous to plaintiffs. For more than 50 years, the Mann Law Firm has been helping people put their lives back on track and we are ready to help you.

Official numbers for all of last year are still being compiled, but the latest statistical projections of traffic deaths show a 9.3 percent increase for January to September of 2015. Preliminary data gathered by NHTSA estimates that more than 26,000 people died in traffic crashes in the first nine months of 2015, compared to the 23,796 fatalities in the first nine months of 2014. Regions across the country showed increases ranging from 2 to 20 percent.

In response to this alarming information, NHTSA held safety summits in Georgia, Texas, California, Massachusetts, Colorado, and Washington, D.C., as a call to action for dealing with the human factors that decades of research have shown as contributing to 94 percent of crashes. Seeking to gather ideas, engage new partners, and generate additional approaches to combat human behavioral issues that contribute to road deaths, the summits addressed drunk, drugged, distracted and drowsy driving; speeding; failure to use safety features such as seat belts and child seats; and new initiatives to protect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. Whether they will make any difference remains to be seen.

When a person is killed due to someone else’s negligence or misconduct, a “wrongful death” has occurred. In order to bring a successful wrongful death suit, it must be shown that:

• The death of a person was caused by another’s wrongful act, neglect or default;
• The act, neglect, or default would have entitled the victim to file an action for damages if he or she had not died;
• The victim has surviving beneficiaries, children, or dependents;
• There were monetary damages resulting from the victim’s death.

In Georgia, an action for wrongful death can be brought against the driver (or the driver’s estate if the driver also died in the wreck) by the victim’s surviving spouse, children, parents, or estate. Damages vary but can include compensation for medical expenses, burial expenses, and lost wages and benefits. In some cases there is also compensation for mental pain and suffering by the survivor.

If a loved one has died after an accident or injury caused by the negligence or misconduct of another, it is absolutely essential to speak with a knowledgeable, experienced Georgia lawyer. The Mann Law Firm can assist you in determining whether you have a valid claim and, if so, we pledge to work closely with you every step of the way. We have represented many survivors of wrongful death victims and we know how to do so skillfully, yet compassionately. Our office in Macon serves all of Middle Georgia, including Dublin, Warner Robins and Milledgeville. Contact us for a thorough case evaluation by calling 478-742-3381 or by filling out our online form.