According to the 2009 AAA traffic data report, Atlanta ranked 4th in the nation for car accidents and 6th for traffic-related deaths. During this year, over 62,000 people were injured in car wrecks and 498 were killed due to high speed accidents and traffic congestion.Traffic accident costs are steadily on the rise. Nationally, nearly $300 billion dollars has been dished out each year for crashes - $11 million of that total was contributed by Atlanta. Since 2005, severe car accident costs have tripled the amount of congestion accidents costs. See: Auto Accident Lawyer
So what do we do? Add additional lanes to Atlanta's highways to alleviate congestion? If additional lanes are added, then there will be less traffic and speeds will increase. As speeds increase, the risk of fatal or severe car accidents increase also. By widening motorways, travelers could be exposed to greater danger. Traffic congestion accidents are costly, of both time and money. Travelers tend to weave lanes, follow too closely and tempers flare when traffic is backed up. However, these accidents usually cause minimal damage and injuries, but occur more frequently.
While congested roadways appear to lead to fewer minor accidents, they experience much more severe accidents and the cost is extremely high. As for congested highways, the number of minor crashes may increase, but the damages are usually minimal and the cost is much less.
Gary Martin Hays, Atlanta's wrongful death and personal injury lawyer, says "Whenever we get behind the wheel, we need to take a deep breath, and slow down. We know Atlanta's roads will be congested and we should expect traffic to be heavy - especially during peak periods. Plan accordingly." If you are injured in a car accident, you deserve compensation. No case is too small, and serious accidents demand serious attention. The Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates have been assisting clients all over the metro-Atlanta and Macon areas. With new offices opening up in Augusta and Savannah, compensation will just be a phone call away.
Accidents happen every day, and sometimes it is not your fault. Don't take on the insurance companies by yourself, take action. Call the Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates. We are on your side.
By Laura E. Kelly
Sources:
http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/atlanta-ranks-4th-in-1217565.html