Fourteen Killed in Thanksgiving Crashes Around Georgia

At least fourteen people were killed in motor vehicle accidents around Georgia on Thanksgiving Day, according to the Georgia State Patrol. The most severe of those occurred on State Highway 111 near Moultrie around 6 p.m. when a pickup truck heading north collided with a van carrying nine people heading south. Five occupants of the van — four adults and one toddler — died in the accident. Four other occupants of the van, in addition to the truck driver, were transported by helicopter to hospitals in Thomasville and Tallahassee. Fatal crashes were also reported in Perry, Columbus, Newton, Griffin, Brunswick, Sylvania, and Dublin. 

With the holidays now upon us, increased travel means an increased risk of car accidents. If you have suffered an injury in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, a Tifton car accident attorney can help you recover. 

The Main Causes of Winter Car Accidents 

Driving in the winter is generally more dangerous than driving in the summer. Ice (and yes, even the occasional snow in parts of Georgia) and the slick surfaces they create are most drivers’ primary foes during the winter months. Three of the most common winter-related accidents include: 

• Spinouts: Spinouts typically occur on slick roads when a driver is applying brake pressure at the same time as turning the car’s wheels. This can cause the front tires to lock up and send the car into a tailspin. It will continue to spin until the tires can grip the road again, potentially striking other cars, as well as bicyclists and pedestrians nearby. 
• Rear-end crashes: Many rear-end crashes are the result of distracted driving. Another primary culprit is slippery roads. Even in cases where a driver is paying close attention, a slick road can make it much harder for a car to come to a complete stop in time to avoid striking the vehicle in front of it. 
• Lane drifting: Lane drifting, as its name implies, occurs when one vehicle drifts out of its lane and into a neighboring lane. While the other two types of winter car accidents on this list are caused by slick roads, lane drifting is typically caused by poor visibility. Ice, snow, and fog can obscure the lane markings on roads (especially at night), making it difficult for drivers to know where one lane ends and another begins. 

Ice/snow, fog, sleet, and other winter precipitation are not the only reasons why drivers should exercise more care during the winter months. The amount of traffic on the roads typically increases during the holidays, presenting more opportunities for vehicle collisions. The rate of drunk driving also tends to increase during the holiday season, as more people are out socializing at holiday parties and other events where alcohol is likely to be served. 

Contact a Tifton Car Accident Attorney to Discuss Your Options for Obtaining Legal Recovery After an Accident 

If you have been injured in an accident due to another driver’s negligence — regardless of whether it occurred during the winter months — you may be able to pursue legal action. For more information, please contact a Tifton car accident attorney at the Hudson Injury Firm by calling 229-396-5848 or using our online form.