Three young adults recently lost their lives in a motor vehicle accident in Decatur County, Georgia. The motor vehicle accident occurred near the intersection of Lake Douglas Road and Carl Cloud Road, approximately 12 miles southeast of Bainbridge and 5 miles sound of Climax. The accident is believed to have occurred on a late Friday night or early Saturday morning, however, it was not discovered until the following Saturday afternoon. The victims were later identified as 23-year-old Adam Goodman, 22-year-old Hillary Brock of Bainbridge, and 22-year-old Jordan Harris of Climax.

According to the Georgia State Patrol accident report, the young adults were traveling eastbound in a 2007 Jeep Wrangler with Goodman as the driver. The vehicle veered from the right side of the roadway while Goodman was driving downhill on a curve. In response, Goodman overcorrected his steering, causing the vehicle to swerve across both lanes of the roadway, tumble down a steep embankment, and strike a large tree with the driver’s side of the vehicle.

Police reports indicate that none of the passengers were wearing their seatbelts. The front seat passenger, Harris, was ejected from the vehicle. Additionally, while the weather was not cited as a factor contributing to the accident, Decatur County experienced heavy rainfall the evening of the accident.

Factors That Can Contribute to the Cause of an Accident

The majority of motor vehicle accidents are caused by multiple factors. According to a study conducted by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), the five factors which most often contribute to fatal motor vehicle accidents are:

• Traffic controls
• Speed and route type
• Roadway characteristics
• Weather impacts
• Road classification

Traffic controls include signage and signals that aim to control the flow of traffic, such as stop or yield signs. Generally, accidents are more likely to occur where traffic controls are absent.

There is also a greater likelihood of accidents occurring on state highways than other types of roadways. This is largely attributed to the greater speeds at which vehicles are traveling on this type of roadway.

Roadway characteristics include both the shape of road e.g. curved or straight, as well as the condition of the road e.g. whether there are potholes or loose gravel present.

Weather, particularly rain, can also have a significant impact on the likelihood of a motor vehicle accident occurring. Rain makes roadways more slippery, and as such, braking is more difficult for drivers during weather events. In addition, inclement weather affects the driver’s visibility.

Finally, accidents are more likely to occur on rural roadways as opposed to urban roadways.

If your loved one has been killed in a motor vehicle accident, you should contact an attorney immediately. An attorney can review the circumstances of your loved one's accident to determine whether someone else’s negligence contributed to the event. If so, an attorney can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your losses.