The insurance company Allstate recently released its rankings of America's safest driving cities. The list ranks America's 200 largest cities by looking at the frequency of car collisions based on insurance claims data. Atlanta was ranked amongst the nation's worst drivers, placing 146th.
According to the insurance data, drivers in Atlanta are involved in a motor vehicle accident an average of every 8.2 years, meaning that residents of Atlanta have a 22.4 percent higher-than-average chance of being involved in a car wreck.
"I had never been in a car accident or even a fender bender before I moved here ... since then I've been in at least five," stated Jennifer Lob, who moved to Atlanta from Ohio seven years ago.
The report places Augusta residents as the safest drivers in Georgia. Drivers there are involved in an accident every 10.2 years, which puts Augusta drivers at 1.9 percent below the national average.
Fort Collins, Colorado, is home to America's safest drivers, according to the report. Residents there are, on average, involved in a car accident every 14.5 years.
Safe Driving Tips
According to Mike Roche, senior vice president, Allstate's Claim Organization: "Human error is the biggest cause of accidents."
To reduce the odds of being in an accident drivers should be aware of the following while driving:
- Do not text or e-mail
- Use hands-free technology to talk on the phone
- Do not conduct personal grooming, including putting on makeup or shaving
- Limit other driving distractions, including talking with passengers, changing the radio station, or eating and drinking
- Be aware of road and weather conditions
In the Event of an Accident
If you have been involved in a car accident, contact the authorities and seek medical attention if you are injured. It is also vital to contact a personal injury attorney right away, especially before talking to the other driver's insurance company. The other driver's insurer will try to get you to admit fault for the accident, which reduces the amount of money they will have to pay for repairs and injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you deal with the insurance companies and seek compensation for vehicle repairs, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
