Rear-end collisions were the most common car accidents in Georgia in 2021. The number of rear-end crashes in Georgia was more than the second and third most common crashes — angle and sideswipe — combined.
If you were in a rear-end crash in Augusta, GA, you could be entitled to substantial compensation. Hawk Law Group has recovered tens of millions of dollars for accident victims in Georgia.
Contact us today at (706) 722-3500 to schedule a free consultation with an Augusta rear-end crash lawyer. Read on to learn more about rear-end crashes in Augusta and how you can seek injury compensation.
How Hawk Law Group Can Help After an Accident in Augusta
Hawk Law Group is a local law firm with local lawyers to help after any type of accident in the Central Savannah River Area.
The firm’s Augusta personal injury attorneys have over 70 years of experience representing accident victims. Over their careers, the firm’s lawyers have successfully obtained millions of dollars in injury compensation for their clients.
When you hire us, you can expect us to:
- Investigate your car accident to determine fault
- Identify all avenues for compensation, including insurance claims and lawsuits
- Calculate all damages and losses related to the crash
- Consult experts when needed to strengthen your claim
- Handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance company
- Take your case to court to protect your rights
A car accident can leave you injured and unable to work. To discuss the compensation you can seek for your car accident injuries, contact Hawk Law Group for a free consultation.
How Common Are Rear-End Crashes in Augusta?
Georgia has one primary source for traffic crash data. Georgia’s Crash Data Portal includes information from accident reports filed by drivers and police officers in Georgia. This database gives highly detailed traffic accident information.
Georgia had 138,260 rear-end crashes in 2021, according to the Crash Data Portal. Rear-end collisions made up almost 44% of all collisions in Georgia that year.
Augusta follows a similar pattern. According to the Crash Data Portal, Augusta had 9,603 traffic accidents in 2021. After you subtract 1,659 pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, and single-vehicle accidents, you have 7,944 automobile collisions.
Of these collisions, the Crash Data Portal reported 3,372 rear-end crashes. This means rear-end collisions made up 42% of Augusta’s car collisions in 2021.
Overview of Rear-End Crashes in Augusta
Rear-end crashes happen when a trailing vehicle hits the back of a leading vehicle. These crashes occur when the leading vehicle brakes, but the distance between them leaves the trailing vehicle too little time to avoid a crash.
Causes of Rear-End Crashes in Augusta
According to the Crash Data Portal, common causes of rear-end crashes in Augusta in 2021 include:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving was cited as contributing to a whopping 96% of Augusta rear-end crashes. This usually means the driver of the trailing vehicle was not paying attention to the vehicle in front of them. When the lead driver stopped, the trailing driver plowed into their rear.
Impaired Driving
The Crash Data Portal listed driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs as a cause of 265 rear-end crashes. Impairment can slow your reflexes, causing you to react too slowly when the car in front of you brakes. Impairment can also dull your focus on driving.
Secondary Crashes
Secondary crashes happen when a vehicle gets hit from behind and pushed into another vehicle. These crashes can also happen when a vehicle rear-ends the vehicle in front of it, and the sudden stop causes a collision with the vehicle behind it. Police sometimes refer to these as chain reaction crashes.
In Augusta in 2021, 52 rear-end collisions were secondary crashes, according to the Crash Data Portal.
Traffic Congestion
According to the Crash Data Portal, rear-end crashes peaked during the evening rush hour. Over 21% of rear-end collisions in Augusta happened during the two hours between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Injuries from Rear-End Crashes in Augusta
Rear-end crashes caused eight fatalities and 914 injuries. The good news is that only about 27% of rear-end crashes in Augusta caused injury or death. The bad news is that the injuries ranged from minor to incapacitating.
In a rear-end crash, the occupants of the leading vehicle get pushed into their seats, then lurch forward when the driver hits the brakes, and the car comes to a stop. The occupants of the trailing vehicle whip forward into their seat belts, then fall back into their seats.
This back-and-forth whipping causes the neck and back to hyperextend. The resulting injury, commonly called whiplash, can strain the muscles and tendons of the neck and back. It can also sprain the ligaments holding the spine together.
The violent motion rattles the brain inside the skull, sometimes causing a concussion. And facial injuries can occur to occupants who were not wearing seat belts.
Liability for Rear-End Collisions
To establish liability, you must show the other driver failed to exercise reasonable care. In most rear-end collisions, liability rests with the drivers of the trailing vehicles. They have the responsibility to leave enough space to brake safely. Tailgating increases the risk of a rear-end collision, particularly when paired with distracted or intoxicated driving.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Augusta, GA Car Accident Law Firm
A rear-end crash can injure your brain, neck, and back. As a result, you might suffer significant financial and emotional damages. To discuss your rear-end crash in Augusta with a local lawyer, contact Hawk Law Group for a free consultation.
