Vehicles, when they crash, crash differently. For example, a bus experiences an accident distinctly compared to a passenger car, a freight truck, a panel van, an SUV, and a whole host of other vehicle types. When two vehicles encounter one another, the statistics show differences that can radically change survival statistics during a fatal incident. Here’s what you need to know.

Georgia Accident Fatality Rates

The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) keeps detailed records of fatal crashes. According to 2020 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the types of vehicles most often seen in deadly crashes in Georgia are:

• 4-Door Sedans at 30.1%
• Light Pickup Trucks at 17.8%
• Compact Utility Trucks at 12.1%

Compared to the rest of the United States, on average, 10% more Georgians die in accidents involving 4-Door sedans than the rest of the country. However, 10% more Georgians survive accidents in a compact utility vehicle compared to the average.

Rollovers and Fires

In the same way, the vehicle you drive can influence the outcome of a crash; your car’s type can also control what happens. In the NHTSA statistics for Georgia, in nearly 25% of all fatal crashes, the driver of a pickup truck flipped their vehicle. These statistics are 60% higher than the average passenger car rollover rate. Pickup trucks have the highest rollover rate in all of the Georgia statistics, beating out SUVs, vans, trucks, and buses.

Vehicle fires tell a different story, with light trucks, such as pickup trucks, experiencing one of the lowest rates of fire when involved in a deadly crash, at 2.2%. The highest rates are large trucks, at 5.2%, just over 1 in 20. In the United States, nearly 10% of all traffic fatalities involved large trucks, which smaller vehicles can underride during crashes. The vast majority of these fatalities come from the occupants of the non-large truck vehicle.

Staying Safe on the Road

No matter what vehicle you drive, you can take precautions to ensure you stay safe on the road. Checking the weather before driving can be a great way to identify road conditions, and when they might change can be a great way to stay safe. Giving your full attention to the road is incredibly important, especially for new drivers. Silencing your cell phone and not talking to the people in the car can go a long way in making sure that you’re committed to the road ahead and behind.

Contact Our Atlanta Personal Injury Attorneys Today

The experienced legal team at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC can help if a loved one has been in an accident. We work hard to make sure that you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.