Recent studies reveal Atlanta contends with some of America’s most dangerous roads and intersections based on the number of serious accidents. Georgia crash deaths have trended upward as well, exacerbated by reckless driving behaviours.
If injured on Atlanta highways, expert assistance from Atlanta car accident attorneys proves vital to recovering damages.
Common Causes of Accidents in Atlanta
Speeding is a major factor in many severe road accidents. Over 20% of deadly crashes in Georgia involve speeding, with higher speeds exponentially increasing crash risk.
Impaired driving also contributes to approximately 30% of Georgia traffic fatalities. Intoxicated drivers have delayed reactions and poor coordination, judgment, and processing speed.
Aggressive manoeuvers like tailgating, coupled with distracted driving from cell phones or passengers, also play a role in a significant portion of accidents.
Drowsy nighttime driving and hazardous weather conditions like wet roads or fog are other preventable causes that lead to collisions.
Key Car Accident Data for Georgia
A 2022 analysis of crash data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety uncovered the following vehicle occupant fatality proportions in Georgia accidents:
- Passenger car occupants: 37%
- Truck occupants: 29%
- Motorcyclists: 11%
- Pedestrians: 17%
- Bicyclists: 1%
Trucks and passenger vehicles account for a clear majority of occupant deaths, while vulnerable road users like pedestrians also suffer considerable fatalities.
Most Hazardous Atlanta Roads
Which metro roads see the highest concentration of wrecks?
A recent examination identified these five stretches as Atlanta’s most dangerous based on fatal crash density per mile.
- Georgia Highway 85 from I-75 to Springdale Drive
- I-285 between Bouldercrest Road and I-20
- I-285 from Camp Creek to Riverdale Road
- I-20 from Panola Road to Candler Road
The analysis uncovered over ten fatalities along each route in a 5-mile corridor. Additionally, almost 40% of crashes resulted from intoxication or speeding violations. Besides driver behaviours, high traffic volumes also contribute to accident risks.
Most Treacherous Atlanta Intersections
Hectic interchanges in congested urban environments also prove prone to collisions. Data platforms have singled out these Atlanta crossroads as topping crash rates:
- Peachtree Street and West Paces Ferry Road
- Piedmont Avenue and Peachtree Street
- GA-400 and I-285
- I-85 and I-75
- I-20 and I-285
Injuries Sustained in Atlanta Auto Accidents
Certain injuries tend to result from the impact forces involved in car crashes.
Traumatic head and brain trauma from violent movement inside vehicles causes cognitive dysfunction or disability.
Spinal cord and back injuries like whiplash or herniated discs also arise frequently – present in over 50% of claims. The abrupt motion of crashes commonly produces spinal misalignment, nerve damage, or vertebral fractures.
Broken bones in the arms, legs, ribs, or hips, along with painful soft tissue wounds, require extensive orthopedic treatment as well. Severe cases lead to internal bleeding or organ damage, too.
Despite State Targets, Crashes & Deaths Rise
Under its strategic highway safety plan, Georgia hoped to reduce 5-year average traffic fatalities below 1,593 by 2017. However, vehicle deaths have increased recently, along with riskier driving statewide.
From 2019 to 2021, traffic fatalities rose by 21% while deaths per miles traveled jumped 25% – foundational metrics traveled in an alarming direction. The study authors partially attributed surging accident deaths to speeding, drunk driving, and a lack of seat belt use.
Financial Impacts of Crashes
The lifetime medical costs for a seriously injured crash victim can exceed $20 million. Expenses escalate from emergency response, hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, and at-home nursing care.
Additionally, accident trauma often produces permanent disabilities, hindering one’s ability to work. Lost income over decades and diminished overall quality of life compound victims’ financial stress.
Turning the Tide on Atlanta Car Accident Risks
While still among America’s riskiest metropolitan regions for vehicle crashes, progress around dangerous roads and driving practices can yet transform Atlanta’s status.
Infrastructure enhancements, stricter speed and DUI enforcement, and community awareness campaigns may still replace recent years’ stats, cementing Atlanta as a safe place to commute and travel globally. Changing driver behaviours can also improve the statistics and prevent future car accidents.
