At least 16 people were killed in car accidents on Georgia roadways over the long New Year’s holiday weekend this year, as of Monday morning. The Georgia Department of Safety reported fatal accidents in the following counties:
- Atlanta
- Brunswick
- Cartersville
- Clayton County
- DeKalb County (4)
- Dublin (2)
- Glynn County
- Gwinnett County (2)
- Monroe County
- Thomasville
- Waycross
Monday, January 2 was expected to be the busiest travel day of the long weekend — which ends at 11:59 PM — as people return home from their holiday travel. Last week, the Georgia State Patrol reported that 13 people had died in traffic accidents over Christmas weekend, including at least two from Atlanta. Last year, the Christmas and New Year’s holiday weekends last year saw 16 fatalities apiece on Georgia roadways.
While the Christmas and New Year’s holidays are busy times for traveling, as people travel to visit loved ones and enjoy gatherings that often feature drinking, the winter holidays are actually not the deadliest holidays for roadway travel in the U.S. The holidays occurring in the warmer weather months — including Memorial Day, Labor Day, July 4th, Father’s Day, Cinco de Mayo, and Mother’s Day — actually feature more fatal accidents on average than fall and winter holidays. Weather is likely a factor in these statistics, as well as increased traffic enforcement during major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve/Day.
Were you injured over one of the recent holiday weekends as a result of another driver’s negligence? If so, an experienced car accident attorney from Cambre & Associates can tell you about the personal injury claims process, which can be used to seek compensation for the expenses and impacts of your injury. We can also explain to you the services we can provide to assist you with your claim. Contact us for a free case evaluation.