Traffic safety remains a major area of concern. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) reports that our state has the fourth highest number of motor vehicle accidents nationwide despite being eighth in total population. A car crash can happen when you least expect it. Drivers need to practice safe, defensive driving on all roadways.
With that being said, not all roads are created equal. Some areas in our region are high risk places for traffic collisions. Drivers should take additional safety precautions when on a dangerous road. In this article, our Atlanta auto accident attorney provides an overview of the most dangerous roads and highways in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Background: Study Finds that All of Georgia’s Most Dangerous Roads are Near Atlanta
Atlanta is far and away the largest city in Georgia. The metro area—which continues to be one of the fastest growing large metropolitan areas in the country—is home to more than half of our state’s total population. Given its size, it is no surprise that some of Georgia’s most dangerous roads are in the Atlanta area. However, it is surprising that all five of the roads classified by a recent study as the most dangerous in Georgia are in or near Atlanta. As reported by Fox 5 Atlanta, researchers from MoneyGeek used three years worth of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to find the most dangerous roads in Georgia. The study found that the stretches of road identified—all five miles—had a disproportionate share of highway fatalities in recent years.
The Four Most Dangerous Roads and Highway in Atlanta
- A Stretch of Moreland Avenue (Atlanta, Georgia)
The most dangerous road in our region is a stretch of Moreland Avenue in the eastern part of Atlanta that runs from South River Industrial Boulevard to Wylie Street. Notably, this road is part of Georgia State Route 42 (SR 42). While researchers emphasize that the majority of crashes are caused—at least in part—by driver negligence, it is also clear that this particular area of road is unusually dangerous. The risks associated with always existing highway safety hazards—such as speeding, distracted driving, and intoxicated driving—may be heightened.
- Georgia Highway 85 (Just South of Atlanta)
Georgia State Route 85 is a 96.5-mile-long highway that traverses the west-central part of Georgia, connecting Columbus to Forest Park through many other communities. Technically, this road does not directly reach Atlanta—it ends in Forest Park, just south of the city. It is this area that is the most “high risk” for crashes. A section of Georgia State Route 85 from where it intersects with Interstate 70 (I-70) to where it reached Springdale Drive is considered to be one of the most dangerous roads.
- Interstate-285 (Near the I-20 Interchange and Near Camp Creek Parkway Interchange)
Interstate-285 (I-285) is another major thoroughfare in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Interstate 285, also known as the Perimeter, encircles Atlanta, Georgia, spanning 63.98 miles and connecting major Interstates I-20, I-75, and I-85. There are two specific sections of I-285 that are considered to be especially hazardous. The first is near the I-20 interchange, which is located near the city limits of Atlanta, in the area that borders the neighborhoods of Panthersville and East Point. The second is near the Camp Creek Parkway interchange which is also located southwest of Atlanta.
- I-20 and Panola Road (Lithonia, Georgia)
Interstate-20 (I-20) is a major east-west highway that spans the width of the state, connecting Atlanta to the Alabama state line to the west and the South Carolina border to the east. It serves as a key route for commuters and travelers, facilitating access to several major cities, including Atlanta, Augusta, and Douglasville, while supporting significant commercial and freight transportation. Notably, a stretch of I-20 near Panola Road—located in Lithonia, GA eastern DeKalb County—is especially hazardous.
Every Motor Vehicle Crash in Atlanta Requires a Thorough Investigation
Georgia is an at-fault motor vehicle accident jurisdiction. If you were involved in a wreck in Atlanta, every traffic collision requires a thorough, comprehensive investigation to determine fault and establish liability. You should consult with an Atlanta, GA auto accident lawyer as soon as possible after a bad crash. Your lawyer will investigate your accident, gather evidence, analyze evidence, and take action to help you prove fault.
Car Accident Victims in Atlanta Deserve the Maximum Financial Compensation
Hurt in a car crash in Atlanta? Under Georgia law, you have the right to seek financial compensation to pay bills and support your family. However, unfortunately, getting an insurance company to pay your claim can be difficult—even if you were hurt in a collision on one of Georgia’s most dangerous roads or highways. An Atlanta car lawyer can help you seek financial compensation for the full value of your damages. You may be entitled to recover monetary relief for:
- Property loss, including vehicle repairs;
- Emergency medical treatment;
- Hospital bills and other health care costs;
- Loss of wages and loss of earning power;
- Pain and suffering & mental distress;
- Long-term disability or physical disfigurement; and
- Wrongful death of a family member.
How do you know the value of your Atlanta car accident claim? The answer will depend on a wide range of case-driven factors. You will need evidence that documents your damages, including your vehicle repair costs, medical bills, wage loss, and pain and suffering. An experienced Atlanta car lawyer can help you gather the evidence to establish your damages and maximize your recovery.
Get Help From Our Atlanta Car Accidents Lawyer Today
At Lourie, Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC, our Atlanta auto lawyer is committed to fighting for justice and full financial compensation for injured victims. Hurt in a car crash in Atlanta? Contact us today for your no cost, no obligation initial case review. With law offices in Atlanta, we handle crashes on the most dangerous roads and highways in the region, including in Marietta, Norcross, College Park, Roswell, Kennesaw, Stockbridge, Lithonia , Acworth , and Lawrenceville.