Traffic accidents can happen nearly anywhere. But they frequently occur on highways, where traffic is often heavy or traveling at high speeds. Many of Georgia’s most dangerous highways are in Atlanta, though highways in other areas of the state also pose a significant risk to motorists.
Even if you do everything you can to stay safe on Georgia roads, collisions still happen. If you were injured in an accident on one of Georgia’s most dangerous highways, you could be entitled to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses from the collision. Contact Spiva Law Group to learn more about how an attorney could help if you suffered injuries in a car accident.
What Are the Most Dangerous Highways in Georgia?
While accidents can happen anywhere, specific interstates have a higher rate of crashes. Georgia is home to many large cities with dense populations. A high volume of traffic often contributes to the hazards drivers encounter.
Five of the most dangerous highways in Georgia are:
- I-20 – I-20 runs from the Alabama state line to the Savannah River. It is a commonly used interstate for people driving in the Atlanta metropolitan area. It also cuts through Covington, Madison, Bremen, Conyers, and Douglasville.
- I-85 – Running from Virginia to Alabama, I-85 travels through the middle of the Atlanta metropolitan area. It is another highway that sees significant traffic daily.
- I-95 – I-95 is the main interstate highway on the country’s east coast. It serves Georgia on the Atlantic Coast of the state. The road enters from Florida and runs to the South Carolina state line at the Savannah River.
- I-75 – With some of the heaviest traffic traveling through the state, the 300-mile-long interstate is the largest in Georgia. It runs north to south through Atlanta, Valdosta, and Macon.
- I-16 – I-16 runs from downtown Macon at an I-75 and SR 540 interchange to downtown Savannah. It also passes by or through Pooler, Dublin, and Metter.
Is There a Certain Georgia City That Has More of These Dangerous Roads?
As the biggest city in Georgia, Atlanta has six major interstates. It consistently ranks as one of the most dangerous cities for motorists. According to a report released by Allstate Insurance, Atlanta is the 15th least safe city to drive in out of the 200 biggest cities in the United States.
What Makes These Highways So Dangerous?
Rapid development and growth in major cities like Atlanta can lead to hazardous roads. As the population increases, higher demand for new transportation solutions strains existing infrastructure. Significant growth also increases roadway traffic, causing more congestion on the city’s busy highways. Savannah car accident lawyer.
These highways are dangerous due to various factors, including:
- Road construction
- Work zones
- High-traffic roads
- Merging streets
- Malfunctioning traffic signals
- Poor road design and maintenance
- Inadequate traffic management systems
- Blind intersections where visibility is blocked by parked cars, road signs, or trees
What Can Drivers on These Roads Do to Be Safer?
If you’re planning on driving on one of Georgia’s most dangerous highways, keep these safety tips in mind to reduce the risk of being involved in an accident:
- Don’t multitask – Texting, eating, or performing another task while behind the wheel limits a driver’s ability to focus on the road ahead and react in time to avoid collisions. Drivers should put down their phones and pay attention to their surroundings to avoid collisions.
- Don’t tailgate – Following another car too closely can lead to rear-end collisions. Driving behind a slow vehicle might be frustrating if you’re in a rush. But tailgating won’t get you to your destination faster.
- Follow all traffic laws – Traffic laws exist to keep drivers and other road users safe. You should obey all traffic laws while behind the wheel. That means traveling at the posted speed limit, using your turn signals when changing lanes, and pulling off to the side for emergency vehicles.
What Types of Accidents Occur on These Roads?
Highway crashes are some of the most catastrophic. This is due to the large volume of cars on the road and the high speeds they travel at, which can lead to life-threatening and fatal injuries.
The types of accidents that often occur on these roads include the following:
- Truck accidents
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
What Should I Do If I Am Hit on One of These Roads in Georgia?
If you’re injured in an accident on one of Georgia’s most dangerous highways, you should take the following steps to protect yourself and your rights:
- Seek medical treatment and attend all follow-up appointments
- Keep records related to the collision, such as doctor’s bills, vehicle repair receipts, and your medical records
- Start a pain journal to document your symptoms, pain levels, and how your injuries affect your daily life
- Hire an attorney to represent you during an injury claim or lawsuit
Does Georgia Have a “Move Over Law?”
State law requires drivers to move over under specific circumstances. They must be careful when an emergency, recovery, towing, or highway maintenance vehicle with flashing lights is parked on the side of the highway. Unless they’re directed by a peace officer, they must take one of these actions:
- If the existing traffic and safety conditions allow, move into a lane away from the vehicle.
- If changing lanes is impossible, unsafe, or illegal, slow down below the speed limit and prepare to stop if necessary.
Contact a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Georgia, Spiva Law Group can help you pursue the compensation and accountability you deserve. Contact our office today for a free consultation with a Georgia car accident lawyer. Savannah personal injury lawyer.