I-20 Is Deadliest Highway in Georgia | Why Is It So Dangerous?

More As they traverse traffic-clogged highways and congested intersections each day, Georgia’s 7 million drivers know all too well that car accidents are an unfortunate reality. But some stretches of roadway seem to be more dangerous than others. Careful crash analysis (2013-2015 data) has shown that I-20 is the most riskiest road to travel, with […]

Published: March 28, 2022

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As they traverse traffic-clogged highways and congested intersections each day,

Georgia’s 7 million drivers know all too well that car accidents are an unfortunate reality. But some stretches of roadway seem to be more dangerous than others. Careful crash analysis (2013-2015 data) has shown that I-20 is the most riskiest road to travel, with the area around mile marker 44 in Atlanta proving to be particularly deadly.

Why Is I-20 So Dangerous?

Many locals are familiar with I-20’s reputation for wrecks, citing the following as potential reasons for the high number of accidents:

Driver impatience/road rage
Inadequate signage that is easy for drivers to miss
High volume of commercial trucks
Lack of alternate routes
Poor visibility/insufficient lightning at night

5 Cities With Most Dangerous Highways In Georgia Area

These 5 cities are regarded as our state’s most dangerous for drivers, based on the number of fatal crashes per mile.

Atlanta

Of the 57 most stretches of highway identified, 13 are in Atlanta – a statistic that is not especially shocking considering that the capital city is by far the state’s largest. The 13 stretches of highway include almost 40 miles, where 97 fatal car crashes occurred.

Kennesaw

While only including a small portion of I-75, one mile-long stretch of highway in Kennesaw reported the most fatalities per mile, with 5.59.

Augusta

Augusta ranks second in population, but seems to have significantly safer roadways. Only 2 stretches of highway made the list: a 1.29-mile portion of Mike Padgett Highway and a 2.4-mile span of Gordon Highway – each with 6 fatal crashes.

Decatur

While Decatur proper is home to fewer Georgians, several zip codes surrounding the city claim its name. Of the 7 most dangerous stretches of roadway found there, all can be found in unincorporated Decatur. The 7 stretches span just over 37 miles, and were the site of 47 fatal car accidents.

Macon

With 5 dangerous stretches of roadway to its name, Macon reported 31 fatal car wrecks. To put it into perspective, Augusta boasts twice the population and less than half the number of deadly accidents.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Highways In Georgia

Our car accident attorneys recommend using extra caution while driving on these top 10 most dangerous stretches of highway:

I -20 (Mile marker 44) in Atlanta; 5.1 fatal crashes/mile
I-75 (Mile marker 157) in Kennesaw; 4.67 fatal crashes/mile
Mike Padgett Highway (Mile marker 52) in Augusta; 4.65 fatal crashes/mile
Lee St. SW (Mile marker 158) in Atlanta; 4.27 fatal crashes/mile
I-85 in Atlanta; 4.07 fatal crashes/mile
Wesley Chapel Road (Mile marker 68) in Decatur; 3.52 fatal crashes/mile
I-85 (Mile marker 18.5) in Atlanta; 3.47 fatal crashes/mile
Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW (Mile marker 126.5) in Atlanta; 3.33 fatal crashes/mile
Old National Highway (Mile marker 312) in Atlanta; 3.22 fatal crashes/mile
Houston Road (Mile marker 40.5) in Macon; 2.94 fatal crashes/mile

5 Things To To Do After A Car Accident in Georgia

After your car accident, remember to follow these steps:

STEP 1: CALL FOR HELP.

Call 911 and wait for emergency responders to arrive. If possible, move to a safe spot away from traffic.

STEP 2: EXCHANGE CONTACT INFO.

Swap contact details with the other driver as well as any eyewitnesses. Be sure to get their name, phone number, driver’s license number, insurance company and policy number, license plate number and car make/model.

STEP 3: DOCUMENT THE ACCIDENT SCENE.

Take photos or a video of the crash scene, including vehicle damage and your injuries.

STEP 4: GET MEDICAL TREATMENT.

Even if you did not require emergency medical attention and do not think you are injured, be sure to see your doctor as soon as possible. In many cases, a seemingly minor ache or pain can become a much more serious concern if left untreated.

STEP 5: HIRE A CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER.

Contact a qualified car crash lawyer as soon as possible for legal advice. Do not give a statement to the insurance company without first speaking to your attorney.

Common Causes For Car Accident in Georgia

Locals know that many of our state’s car crashes are caused by the following:

Speeding
Distracted driving
Running stop signs and red lights
Failure to yield
Driving without headlights
Ignoring the rules of the road

More Questions? Discover A Car Accident Lawyer Near Me

If you have been injured in a Georgia car accident, The Mike Hostilo Law Firm is here to help! Our experienced accident attorneys are equipped to handle your case from start to finish, offering legal advice and representation along your road to recovery.

You can find us serving car crash victims in the following areas we serve:

GEORGIA LAWYERS

Albany, GA
Atlanta, GA
Augusta, GA
Columbus, GA
Macon, GA
(Park of Commerce) Savannah, GA
(Abercorn) Savannah, GA
Statesboro, GA
Warner Robins, GA

SOUTH CAROLINA LAWYERS

Aiken, SC
Beaufort, SC
North Charleston, SC