The coronavirus outbreak shut down most businesses throughout Georgia and the rest of the country. Fewer people on the road meant less traffic congestion, but it also increased average speeds on major arterial highways in metropolitan Atlanta and beyond. With higher speed limits came deadlier accidents that claimed more lives.
If you or your loved one were injured during the coronavirus outbreak, you need an experienced car accident lawyer to help protect your well-being and legal rights. At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we have proven experience in helping victims of car wrecks recover compensation for their pain and suffering. Set up your free consultation with our capable and resourceful Atlanta personal injury and accident attorneys by calling us at (833) 254-2923 or contacting us online.
Causes of Traffic Fatalities
NHTSA has attributed increases in highway fatalities during a pandemic to behaviors such as speeding and driving without wearing a seat belt. Based on this, other factors of traffic fatalities include:
Distracted Driving
When a driver is behind the wheel, their single most important job is to be alert and in control of the vehicle. Any time they allow anything to divert their attention from driving-whether it’s a phone call, a text message, or looking at the clock after driving for an hour straight with no rest-they are putting themselves at risk for a deadly accident.
Fatigued Driving
During the pandemic, people were already under a lot of pressure and experienced sleep deprivation due to stress and talking about current affairs. Many died because of the virus, and there was little proper infrastructure to deal with all of those deaths. That situation impaired drivers’ alertness and ability to respond to events occurring on the roadway. You risk falling asleep behind the wheel if you don’t get enough sleep, work long hours or travel long distances behind the wheel or do multiple jobs at a time. A tired driver can put themselves and others in danger.
Driving Under the Influence
People were already under much pressure during the pandemic and resorted to alcohol and recreational drugs to deal with stress. The possibility of getting behind the wheel while drunk or high is a dangerous act that puts everyone’s safety at risk. If drivers are drunk or high, their judgment, vision, and reaction times will be impaired, and they could cause an accident that could kill someone else or themselves.
Tailgating
Tailgating or following too closely behind another vehicle increases the chances of a crash occurring if a sudden stop were to happen. Drivers who tailgate are often trying to intimidate other drivers or are unaware of how close they are following another vehicle. Tailgaters do not allow time or space to react in an emergency. It takes time and room to slow down, stop, or change lanes safely. These drivers are more likely to engage in other aggressive driving behaviors and put everyone in danger.
The ways to prevent traffic accidents are:
- Be a defensive driver.
- Obey the traffic rules and regulations.
- Avoid drinking and driving.
- Be alert at all times while driving.
- Keep your vehicle always in sound operating condition.
If you are a pedestrian, here are some ways to prevent traffic accidents:
- Do not jaywalk. Use the pedestrian lanes only or cross from one side of the road to another at designated places only.
- Always look out for vehicles before crossing the street or stepping on the road, even if you have the right of way.
- Do not allow children to play unsupervised on or near the streets or roads, especially highways.
- Always be prepared to give way to vehicles even if you have the right of way as a pedestrian because most drivers will not give way to pedestrians unless they have no choice.
Other Ways to Help Prevent Traffic Accidents
- Implementing and enforcing laws that require drivers to wear seat belts.
- Using the media to educate people and children, in particular, on the causes, dangers, and prevention of traffic accidents.
- Setting up strict speed limits and installing radar detectors on highways and roads.
- Developing infrastructure to increase the capacity of roads, which reduces traffic congestion and building footbridges for pedestrians.
- Improving road conditions by eliminating structural deficiencies such as insufficient signage or guardrails.
The Covid-19 pandemic has caused many Americans significant financial, physical, and emotional distress. At the same time, it has made automobile insurance claims more challenging. Insurance companies are notorious for lowballing clients during the best of times and even more so during the pandemic.
If you have been injured in an automobile accident or lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you must understand your rights and take appropriate legal action to protect those rights. The coronavirus pandemic can make this process even more challenging and stressful, but you can do things to make this process smoother and more effective. Getting a well-informed doctor, lawyer, and insurance agent can help make the recovery process smoother.
Consult a Leading Personal Injury Law Firm in Atlanta Today
You likely have some questions about your injury claim and how it might play out during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. While we can’t give you definitive answers, our goal is to help you adjust your expectations based on what we know at this time and advise you on which path lies ahead.
Despite the drop in traffic during the pandemic, there has been an increase in traffic fatalities. And the aftermath of an accident can be devastating. At The CEO Lawyer Injury and Accident Attorneys, we understand the impact of an unexpected injury on individuals and their families. We are committed to helping people put their lives back together after such an incident.
For years our firm has been protecting the rights of those who another’s negligence has injured. As seasoned trial lawyers, we are not afraid to take a case to court if it means achieving justice for our clients. We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay us anything unless we recover compensation for you. Don’t hesitate to call us at (833) 254-2923 to request your complimentary consultation or reach out to us online.
