Where Do Most Car Accidents Happen in Atlanta? Your 2025 Guide
If you live in the Atlanta metro area, you are well-aware that Atlanta is one of the most traffic congested cities in the United States. In fact, a recent study performed by INRIX, “a global leader for transportation analytics” reveals that Atlantans spend, on average, 70 hours per year in traffic during peak hours. To put that figure in context, Atlanta is the 4th most congested city in the United States and the 8th most congested city in the entire world. No surprise, then, that metro Atlanta sees over 190,000 car accidents annually, from fender-benders to life-changing crashes.
At Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers, we’ve spent over 30 years helping Atlantans like you recover millions after accidents. If you’ve been hurt, call us at (404) 939-9470. This guide breaks down where crashes happen most in Atlanta, using 2023 data from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and tips to keep you safe. Let’s dive in.
Where Atlanta’s Car Accidents Strike Most
1. Highways: I-285 and I-75/85 Nightmares
Highways like I-285, the I-75/85 Connector, and GA-400 account for 25% of crashes, per GDOT. Indeed, many car accidents in the Atlanta metro area occur on those highways. Some collisions on those roadways occur at high speed when vehicles attempt to change lanes or lose control. Other times, auto accidents occur during congested conditions when traffic abruptly stops and one driver doesn’t apply the brakes in time to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of it.
My Tip: Keep a three-second gap between you and the car ahead, especially on I-285. And don’t trust your mirrors alone—check those blind spots. Learn more about highway crash claims.
2. Intersections: Where Seconds Matter
Intersections are Atlanta’s crash epicenter, causing 35% of all accidents, per GDOT. Places like Peachtree Road and 10th Street or Buford Highway and Lenox Road are notorious. Why? Drivers run red lights, misjudge turns, or get distracted by their phones. The Federal Highway Administration says 50% of injury crashes happen at intersections, and we’ve seen it in our cases.
3. Near Home: Your Neighborhood’s Hidden Risks
Believe it or not, 52% of accidents happen within 5 miles of home, per a Progressive Insurance study, and 2023 NHTSA data backs this up. Auto accidents occur close to home because people generally let their guard down after they get off of the busy streets. We might feel it’s safe to check our phone for a text, plug in GPS coordinates, or change the radio station. Other times, we might back into a vehicle that’s parked in an unexpected spot if we’re not checking our mirrors. In the worst cases, careless drivers collide with children that dash into the street to pursue an object of interest.
My Tip: Stay sharp on streets like Ponce de Leon Avenue. Use your backup camera, and watch for kids chasing balls—it’s a heartbreaking case we see too often.
4. Rural Roads: Georgia’s Quiet but Deadly Paths
Outside Atlanta, rural roads like GA-20 or US-78 make up 15% of crashes but have scarier outcomes, per GDOT. NHTSA says 54% of fatal crashes are rural, thanks to high speeds, dark curves, and deer crossings. I’ve driven GA-20 at night—it’s no joke with spotty lighting and 65 mph limits.
My Tip: Flick on high beams when it’s safe, ease up on sharp turns, and watch for glowing eyes.
5. Parking Lots: Lenox Square Scrapes and Dings
Car accidents also occur in parking lots. Many of the retail shopping centers in Atlanta are poorly designed for traffic. Parking lots at Lenox Square or Atlantic Station cause 5-10% of crashes, per the National Safety Council.
Additionally, drivers in parking lots are often distracted. A driver might run through a stop sign in the parking lot and broadside your vehicle when you have the right of way. Two vehicles might back into one another as they attempt to pull out of parking spots. If the parking lot is not densely packed, some drivers might feel comfortable to speed and or check their phone.
My Tip: Go slow, make eye contact with other drivers, and double-check before backing out. Atlantic Station’s tight spots are a recipe for trouble.
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Where Do Most Car Accidents Happen in Atlanta – Infographic
Atlanta’s Crash Crisis: 2023 By the Numbers
That congestion fuels a staggering number of crashes. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), metro Atlanta saw 192,345 car accidents in 2023 across its five biggest counties, leading to 45,128 injuries and 389 deaths. Here’s how it breaks down:
County | Crashes | Injuries | Fatalities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton | 61,200 | 13,050 | 132 |
| Gwinnett | 41,800 | 9,600 | 63 |
| DeKalb | 39,600 | 10,300 | 82 |
| Cobb | 35,200 | 8,600 | content 61 |
| Clayton | 13,900 | 3,550 | 50 |
To put it simply, if you’re driving on Atlanta’s roads, there is a high chance that you’ll be in a car accident.
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, you should immediately contact an Atlanta car accident lawyer. The lawyers at Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for car accident victims and their families for over three decades. We understand that car collisions can be traumatic, life-altering experiences. Let us help ease your pain, find your voice, and recover the compensation that you deserve.
Call us today at (404) 939-9470, or reach out through our online contact form to schedule a free, initial evaluation of your case.
How to Stay Safe on Atlanta’s Roads
After decades of crash cases, here’s my advice for avoiding trouble:
- Put the Phone Down: No texts on Peachtree Street, period.
- Don’t Speed: Speed’s behind 32% of teen crashes, per NHTSA.
- Watch Your Sides: Check mirrors on I-285—lane changes are sneaky.
- Mind the Rain: Ease up on GA-400 when it’s pouring.
- Learn Tricks: A defensive driving course can save your life, per NSC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do most car accidents happen in Atlanta?
Intersections like Peachtree Road and 10th Street cause 35% of crashes, followed by highways like I-285 (25%) and near-home accidents (52%), per 2023 GDOT data.
How many car accidents occurred in Atlanta in 2023?
Metro Atlanta saw 192,345 car accidents in 2023 across Fulton (61,200), Gwinnett (41,800), DeKalb (39,600), Cobb (35,200), and Clayton (13,900), per GDOT.
Are parking lot accidents common in Atlanta?
Yes, parking lots like Lenox Square and Atlantic Station cause 5 to 10% of crashes due to poor design and distracted driving, per the National Safety Council.
How can I stay safe on Atlanta’s roads?
Don’t text on Peachtree Street, keep a three-second gap on I-285, avoid speeding, and take a defensive driving course, per Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers.
Why choose Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers after a car accident?
With 30+ years of experience, Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers maximize compensation with compassion. Call (404) 939-9470 for a free consultation.
Speak With a Trusted Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer
If you’re injured in a car accident, you might be tempted to call one of the billboard or bus attorneys that advertises on your daily commute. That’s a mistake.
Billboard and bus lawyers process thousands of auto accident claims every year. Their goal is to settle cases as quickly as possible even though that often means that they are settling each case well below its true value. You will likely only speak with a paralegal when you call the firm to speak with your attorney.
At Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers, our Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers listen to our clients’ stories and treat our clients with compassion and dignity. We pride ourselves on maximizing the value out of cases that other lawyers passed upon because they couldn’t get the quick and easy (little) money. Our lawyers have recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients because we went the extra mile when other lawyers decided to take the day off to play golf.
To schedule a free consultation, call us at (404) 939-9470, or contact us through our online form.
We know Atlanta’s roads and courts inside out.