Crashes can happen anywhere and at any time. However, some Atlanta highways are more dangerous than others. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC), at least 5 people die on Georgia roads each day. The Georgia Department of Transportation reported that in 2022, 1,982 people died on Georgia roads.
Our firm has operated in Georgia for 40 years and we know the Atlanta area well. We have researched statistics on Atlanta highways to help promote caution and awareness while driving.
If you were injured in an accident, please don’t hesitate to call us at (706) 354-4000 or reach us online today for a free consultation. Our skilled personal injury attorneys are ready to help.
Deadliest Georgia Highways
Georgia’s highways connect smaller cities to vibrant urban centers. Unfortunately, because of their prominence in connecting towns and cities to Atlanta, these highways can also be the epicenter of tragic collisions.
Read on to learn about some of the most dangerous highways in the Metro Atlanta area.
I-285
A 2015 article in the AJC reports that 1-285 is the deadliest highway in the U.S. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2013 showed 3.5 fatal crashes every 10 miles on the highway, making it one of the deadliest in America and the most dangerous in Georgia. Interstate 285 runs nearly 64 miles around the city of Atlanta.
It is an auxiliary interstate highway that connects the I-20, I-75, I-85, and GA-400 to the city. Suburban residents use the highway to enter and exit the city center, making it a hectic and congested highway. It is not maintained with proper lighting or signage, making it difficult for drivers to navigate the road safely.
I-75
Interstate 75 covers over 359 miles of highway in Georgia. It comes down from the Georgia-Tennessee state line near Indian Springs in northern Georgia and runs southeast through Dalton, Calhoun, Marietta, Atlanta, Macon, and Valdosta. In a 2019 analysis, this highway was named the most dangerous in Georgia, killing 111 people in the summer months of 2015-2017.
I-20
Interstate 20 runs from the South Carolina-Georgia border outside Augusta and west through Barnett, Siloam, Covington, Stonecrest, and Atlanta. The interstate then runs through Douglasville and west into Alabama. With a speed limit of 70 mph, this road is considered one of the most dangerous interstates. According to WSB-TV Atlanta, the National Highway Traffic Administration released a report about 2020 car crashes, naming I-20 as the second-most dangerous highway in the U.S. with 15.5 fatalities per 100 miles.
I-85
Interstate 85 runs about 180 miles in Georgia. Starting from the South Carolina-Georgia border, I-85 runs southwest through Atlanta and into Alabama. As a significant highway connecting smaller cities and towns to the capital’s city center, this highway is one of the most accident-prone Atlanta highways. In 2021, Freight Waves reported that Interstate 85 was the most dangerous highway for commercial trucks.
Georgia State Route 316
Georgia State Route 316, also known as SR 316 or University Parkway, is an almost 40-mile-long highway running from the Atlanta city center to the university town of Athens. Connecting the state capital to the town housing the state’s leading university ensures increased traffic.
According to a Georgia Department of Transportation study, 65% of SR 316 has a crash rate above the state average. SR 316 is currently undergoing construction to optimize its roads, reduce the severity and frequency of collisions, and reduce traffic congestion.
US 78
U.S. 78 is a highway that runs throughout Georgia from west to east. It is over 230 miles long and runs across the entire state, from Tallapoosa to Augusta. US 78 runs through the bustling Atlanta metropolitan area and the cities of Athens and Augusta. That’s three of the five most prominent cities in Georgia. US 78 is more prone to collisions because it’s a vital and busy highway.
What Should I Do After a Highway Crash?
After a highway collision, to ensure your safety and to preserve your case, take the following steps:
- Call emergency services
- Seek medical attention from paramedics, a hospital, or your general practitioner
- Take photos of the scene
- Find the mile marker of where the collision occurred on the highway and make a note of it or use your phone to take a photo.
- Gather names and contact details of the other party and witnesses
- Identify any video surveillance that may have captured the crash
- Collect the police report
- Hire a personal injury attorney
Insurance companies are not there to compensate you for your injuries. Like any business, their goal is to maximize their profits, which means giving you the least amount of compensation possible. For the best outcome in your case, you must secure the assistance of an experienced Georgia law firm that handles highway personal injury cases.
How Long Do I Have to Bring a Highway Collision Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one were injured on one of these dangerous interstates or anywhere else in Georgia, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our experienced attorneys immediately. You have limited time to bring a personal injury claim in Georgia.
Georgia law sets the statute of limitations at two years for personal injury cases. The clock starts ticking on the date of the crash. If you fail to file your lawsuit by the deadline, you are generally barred from financial recovery.
Contact Our Seasoned Attorneys for a Free Consultation
At Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C., we have recovered over $1 billion for our clients. Our attorneys have the knowledge and resources to handle all vehicle cases, including complex cases on Georgia’s dangerous highways. Contact our office online or call (706) 354-4000 today for a free initial consultation.
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