Despite a global pandemic, people were still driving on the roads to and from work, school, and other commitments, which means car accidents were still happening in 2020. You might be surprised to hear that the Georgia car accident statistics for 2020 were not that different from 2019. That’s because when cars are on the roads, there will unfortunately always be accidents. That’s why it is so important to know what to do after a car accident. Here are just a few surprising things to note about Georgia in 2020:
Fewer cars on the road did not reduce the number of accidents.
Busy cities like Atlanta are used to long rush hours with accidents occurring every hour. However, despite fewer people commuting to work and school, the number of car accidents in 2020 is comparable to the number of car accidents in 2019. So if fewer cars were on the roads but accidents kept happening, then what was causing them?
Open roads left people feeling more comfortable speeding.
Many car accidents can result from speeding, whether the speeding driver isn’t able to react quick enough or another car doesn’t see the speeding driver coming until it’s too late. Either way, fewer cars on the roads made some drivers think it was okay to drive faster than normal, which contributed to many car accidents last year.
Almost half of car accident fatalities were not wearing a seat belt.
Seat belt usage is going up nationally, but there are still too many car accidents that result in injuries or even fatalities when those in the vehicle were not wearing their seat belts. Seat belts are key to keeping your body from being ejected from the car during an accident. Additionally, wearing a seat belt incorrectly or relying on just airbags to protect you can actually lead to more serious car accident injuries.
If one of these things has happened, you are not alone and you still deserve quality treatment for your injuries. Whether or not you were the victim in a car accident, there are three steps everyone should follow to be safe and prepared after an accident.
1. Stay Calm and Get to Safety
Car accidents are stressful experiences, no matter how minor it may seem to others. The shock of being in an accident can leave you stressed or panicked, though the best thing you can do for yourself is to try and stay calm. Take a few deep breaths until you feel comfortable assessing the situation. Look for any obvious injuries you may have before trying to move your body. It is also important to make sure you are in a safe place, so scan the area and determine whether or not you should relocate while waiting for help to arrive.
2. Call for Help and Accept Medical Care
There are many good Samaritans on the road who may witness an accident and call 911 on your behalf, though you should not rely on that alone. Call for help and allow police and rescue workers to attend the scene, especially if there is significant damage to the vehicles. Police officers will assess the scene and write a detailed report of the incident. If paramedics arrive at the scene, it is also important that you allow them to assess you. You may be tempted to say that’s not necessary, but if you have suffered any injuries it is in your best interest to receive medical care. Also, declining medical attention can make it seem to your insurance company like you didn’t think your injuries were that serious.
3. Schedule a Doctor’s Appointment
While paramedics and even a trip to the emergency room can help address immediate injuries you may have received during the car accident, you will need to receive follow-up care from a doctor who specializes in car accident injuries like yours. You shouldn’t wait long to go to a doctor after a car accident. Car accident doctors know what to do after a car accident and how to diagnose and treat all types of car accident injuries. When it comes to finding a doctor for treating your car accident injuries, you want to find a team of specialists who have a lot of experience.
AICA Orthopedics has multiple locations across metro Atlanta and our team of multi-specialty car accident doctors is here to help you know what to do after a car accident. We offer state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging right in the office and you can meet with orthopedic doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, and neurologists all in one convenient location. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, give us a call and learn about how AICA Orthopedics can help treat your injuries and get you on the road to recovery.
