Pile up
On August 24,, 2018 an officer observed a 3 car accident. Driver 1 stated that she was traveling SB on Metropolitan in the left hand lane, noticed the traffic in front of her had stopped. She looked in her rear view mirror, made sure the right lane was clear, put on her blinker, proceeded into the right lane, when she felt Vehicle 2 ram her rear, driving her into a pole. Driver 2 stated that he saw Vehicle 1 stop then pull out, but could not stop and hit her rear end. Driver 3 stated that while traveling SB on Metro in the left hand lane a white truck stopped in front of him, and he saw the other 2 vehicles collide with each other, then strike the rear of his truck. The officer observed it was evident that Vehicle 1 had already taken the lane when Vehicle 2 struck Vehicle 3 and then struck Vehicle 1 driving her into the pole. Driver 1 had injuries and was transported to Grady Hospital by the EMT. All other drivers refused medical attention. Vehicle 2 was cited. Note: When the traffic ahead slows down, follow suit & slow down!
Follow closely Is Not Wise
Clayton County accident report stated that on August 23, 2018 Driver1 advised that she was on I-75SB and had exited onto the Mt. Zion Blvd East ramp. She came to the top of the ramp at the intersection of Mt. Zion Blvd was behind Vehicle 2 and began to turn right, but Vehicle 2 stopped. Driver 1 advised that due to thinking Vehicle 2 had continued, she attempted to proceed forward and collided with the rear of Vehicle 2. Driver 2 advised that she was on I-75/SB and had exited onto Mt. Zion Blvd East ramp. She came to a stop at the top of the ramp, and rear-ended by Vehicle 1. Driver 1 had complaints of chest pain. Driver 2 complained of neck and shoulder pain. Both drivers declined transport to the hospital. Driver 1 was cited for following too closely.
Note: Follow closely and pay the cost.
Obscured vision
Fulton County accident report stated that on August 19, 2018 Driver 1 was traveling WB on Coronet Way and was stopped in traffic behind Vehicle 2. She stated that Vehicle 2 was stopped behind a bus and began to move forward when it suddenly stopped due to the red light, which the driver only saw once the bus had proceeded. She then was unable to avoid striking Vehicle 2 in the rear. Driver 2 confirmed that this was correct. Driver 1 was cited for Following Too Closely. Note: A bus always prevents seeing the light change!!
Backing Up Can Be Dangerous
DeKalb County accident report stated that on August 19, 2018 Driver 1 was driving North on Boulevard NE and was about to make a right turn onto Ponce DeLeon Ave, when he pulled out too far and saw a car approaching from the East. He stated that he backed his vehicle up and struck the car behind him, which was vehicle 2. Driver 2 confirmed this statement saying that as he was driving North on Boulevard that Vehicle 1, which was in front of him, just backed up and struck his vehicle. No injuries were reported. Vehicle 1 had no damage, and Vehicle 2 had a slight crack in the front hood. Driver 1 was cited with Improper Backing. Note: Never back up with cars behind you.
Uninsured
Fulton County accident report stated that on August 18, 2018 Vehicle 1 was turning left out of the driveway at 7880 Roswell Rd in Sandy Springs, Ga to travel NB on SR9 Roswell Rd. Vehicle 1 entered the roadway in the path of Vehicle 2, which was traveling SB on SR9. Vehicle 2 struck Vehicle 1 and then Vehicle 2 left the roadway as it attempted to avoid a collision. Vehicle 1 sustained extensive damage to its front end. Vehicle 2 sustained moderate visible damage to its front passenger side. Driver 2 was expecting and requested to be, and was checked out by the EMS. No one else required medical attention. Both parties received citations. Vehicle 2 was not insured, and was cited for it. Note: Don’t drive without insurance and don’t turn without yielding!
Maintain Your Lane
Fulton County accident report stated that on August 17, 2018 an officer responded to an accident call on Roosevelt Hwy/29 about 1/4 mile from Mallory Rd. Driver 1 stated that he was attempting to turn into a driveway when his company truck sideswiped Vehicle 2. Driver 2 stated that she was driving straight when Vehicle 1 turned into her lane and they collided. Dirt marks from Vehicle 1 indicated that he merged into Vehicle 2’s lane which placed him at fault. Driver 1 was cited for Failure to Maintain Lane. Vehicle 2 was towed. No injuries were reported. Note: Failure to maintain is always at fault.
Don’t Run That Light
Cobb County accident report stated that on August 13, 2018 Vehicle 1 was traveling WB on Concord Road at the intersection of Atlanta Road. Vehicle 2 was traveling on Atlanta Road turning left onto EB Atlanta Road. Vehicle 1 ran the red light and struck Vehicle 2 on the front left bumper. Driver 1 complained of head, neck and shoulder pain, and had a nose bleed and was transported to Wellstar for further treatment. Driver 2 complained of head and neck pain also, but refused to be transported to the hospital. Eyewitness 1, confirmed this. Driver 1 was cited for failure to obey the authorized traffic control device. Note: Run a Light, Run risk of a ticket.
Defensive Driving
When in Doubt, Yield
Fulton County accident report stated that on August 10, 2018 Vehicle 1 was in the left turn lane on Roswell Rd attempting to turn West on I-285. Vehicle 2 was in the right hand South lane going straight. Vehicle 2 had the green light and Vehicle 1 had a green light with no arrow per Driver 1. But Driver 1 turned left in front of Vehicle 2 and did not yield to the straight travel lane. Vehicle 2 attempted to stop but was unable and hit the right rear tire of Vehicle 1 with the front end of Vehicle 2. Driver 1 was cited for failure to yield while turning left. Note: Turn lane always yields.
Make Sure
Fulton County accident report states that on August 9, 2018 Driver 1 said she was behind Vehicle 2 and thought it was moving forward to make the right hand turn onto SR 9 NB, but it suddenly stopped. Driver 2 said she saw Vehicle 1 coming and thought it was going to stop, but it struck her. Driver 2 was cited for following too closely. Note: Don’t ever assume, be sure.
Watch Those Hills
Fulton County accident report states that on August 9, 2018 Driver 1 was turning left onto Spaulding Drive and did not see Vehicle 2 coming over the hill to cross the intersection. Driver 2 said he applied the brakes, long skid marks are visible, and tried to steer out of the collision but was unable to avoid impact. Driver 2 also said a pedestrian male walked in front of vehicle 1 as she was coming to the intersection and does not know if that played a part in her turning left. Witness 1 was in his vehicle traveling WB toward the intersection and saw he had the red traffic signal. He saw Vehicle 1 turn in front of Vehicle 2. Note: Always approach a hills & intersections with caution.
Yield or Crash
Clayton County accident report stated that on August 8, 2018 Driver 2 was traveling E on I-285 in the number 5 lane when Vehicle 1 moved into his lane without yielding causing him to break suddenly. Driver 2 stated that he could not stop in time and struck Vehicle 1 in the rear. Driver 1 confirmed his statement adding that he was attempting to get off on the exit to Riverdale Rd starting from the number 4 lane. Both vehicles had extensive damage. Driver 1 was taken to Southern Regional Hospital with complaints pain of neck, back and hand. Driver 1 was cited for improper lane changes. Note: When changing lanes, you must yield.
Parking Lot Too Tight
Fulton County accident report stated that on August 7, 2017. Driver 1 was traveling EB on Virginia Ave when she was hit while attempting to make a left turn into a shopping center. Driver 2 stated that she was also traveling EB and that Vehicle 1 just suddenly came to a screeching stop, w/o a turn signal, and so could not avoid running into the rear end of Vehicle 2. Although Driver 1 appeared to have been driving too closely, no citation was given due to the collision being made on private property.
Note: What a lucky break!
Failure to Yield
Clayton County accident report states that on August 6, 2017 an officer was dispatched to the intersection of SR 138 and Kendrick Rd. Driver 1 was driving West at the light at SR138 and Kendrick, waiting to turn left onto Kendrick Rd. She started to turn left when she observed an oncoming vehicle turning right, and Driver 1 was hit on the driver’s side by Vehicle 2. Driver 1 stated that the traffic light was yellow while she was in the intersection. Driver 2 stated that Vehicle 1 turned right in front of her. Driver 2 could not stop fast enough to avoid the accident and hit Driver 1. Driver 2 was cited for broken turn signal and for driving too fast for the conditions. Driver 1 was cited for failure to yield. Note: Yield to oncoming traffic, always.
Observe Your Surroundings
Clayton County accident report stated that on August 6, 2018 Vehicle 2 was parked at the loading dock of 1775 Maynard H Jackson Service Road. Vehicle 1 was also in the loading dock area next to Vehicle 2. Driver 2 essentially stated that he had just sat down in his vehicle and had not yet closed the driver’s door, when Vehicle 1 pulled forward and hit vehicle 2’s door causing damage. Driver 1 stated that he observed Driver 2 get into Vehicle 2 and thought that the door to Vehicle 2 had closed, and therefore pulled forward and hit the door of Vehicle 2. Note: Pay close attention to parked cars, starting up, in proximity to your vehicle.