Atlanta Car Accident Statistics
Atlanta is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. It’s home to more than 498,000 people. Thousands more venture into the city every day to work, go to school, and enjoy all that it has to offer.
Major highways, including I-85 and I-75, run through the heart of the city, which means millions of people pass through Atlanta and Fulton County on their way to and from other parts of the country.
So, it’s no surprise that car accidents are fairly common in and around the city. If you’ve been hurt in auto accident, contact the Atlanta car accident lawyers from Hasner Law PC today for a free consultation at (678) 888-4878.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Atlanta?
Accident crash data published by the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety reveals that car accidents have become a huge problem in Fulton County.
Since 2014, the number of crashes on county roads has fluctuated a lot.
That year, there were 46,887 reported traffic accidents. By 2017, accidents had increased by 33 percent, for a total of 63,984. In 2018, the number of total collisions in Atlanta and Fulton County dropped, when the region saw 45,944 collisions.
Between 2014 and 2018, this means that, in Fulton County, there is an average of:
- 4,593 car accidents every month
- 151 car accidents every day, or
- 6 car accidents every hour.
Most of the crashes in Fulton County unfold within Atlanta’s city limits. According to Georgia Electronic Accident Reporting System (GEARS) data, there were a total of 30,875 collisions recorded by the Atlanta Police Department in 2018. That’s two-thirds (67 percent) of all accidents in Fulton County, Georgia.
In 2019, 34,446 car accidents were reported to the Atlanta PD. Despite the fact that the city, state, and nation were effectively under a lockdown for most of 2020, Atlanta still saw 21,478 auto accidents in 2020.
That’s a staggeringly high number for a city that’s home to less than 500,000 people. And, these figures don’t factor in accidents reported to or handled by different law enforcement agencies.
How Serious Are Car Accidents in Atlanta, GA?
On an average day in Atlanta, there’s an average of one car accident every four hours. So, accidents aren’t uncommon. Are those accidents serious, though? Crash data and statistics suggest that yes, they are.
Injury-Causing Traffic Accidents
In 2013, there were 43,775 motor vehicle crashes in Fulton County. Of those accidents, 14,078 resulted in an injury. That’s about one-third of all traffic accidents. In 2018, there were 45,944 car crashes in Fulton County. About 30 percent, or 17,947 accidents, resulted in an injury. So, generally speaking, about one out of every three collisions in Fulton County causes an injury of some sort.
Fatal Car Accidents
Not everyone who is involved in a car accident in or around Fulton County survives. Sadly, traffic accident fatalities have surged over the past few years:
- 2014: 77 fatalities
- 2015: 104 fatalities
- 2016: 130 fatalities
- 2017: 115 fatalities
- 2018: 131 fatalities
- 2019: 144 fatalities
As you can see, the number of car accident deaths increased by a whopping 52 percent between 2013 and 2016. While the number dropped slightly the following year, it’s clear that accidents in Fulton County are still a serious problem.
What Are the Leading Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in Atlanta?
Every three days, there’s a fatal car accident in or around Atlanta. These crashes happen for a lot of different reasons. Crash data suggests, however, that certain factors contribute to fatal collisions more than others. The two leading causes include alcohol and speeding.
Alcohol and Fatal Crashes
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is incredibly dangerous. It significantly increases the risk of an accident and serious injuries. Sadly, the number of fatal crashes caused by drunk drivers in Fulton County has increased since 2013.
- 2013: 21 crashes (24.7 percent)
- 2014: 19 crashes (24.6 percent)
- 2015: 31 crashes (29.8 percent)
- 2016: 36 crashes (27.6 percent)
- 2017: 28 crashes (24.3 percent)
- 2018: 37 crashes (28.2 percent)
- 2019: 42 crashes (29.1 percent)
So, roughly one-quarter of all fatal traffic accidents in and around Atlanta involve a drunk driver.
Speeding and Fatal Car Accidents
Everyone in Atlanta always seems to be in a rush. Unfortunately, this prompts many drivers to speed and engage in aggressive behaviors behind the wheel. These behaviors contribute to many fatal crashes every year.
- 2013: 17 crashes (20 percent)
- 2014: 22 crashes (28.5 percent)
- 2015: 29 crashes (27.8 percent)
- 2016: 26 crashes (20 percent)
- 2017: 21 crashes (18.2 percent)
- 2018: 27 crashes (20.6 percent)
- 2019: 30 crashes (20.8 percent)
As you can see, speeding is a factor in a significant number of car accident fatalities every year.
It appears that distracted driving is also contributing to a rising number of accidents, including deadly crashes, in Atlanta. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted drivers cause thousands of fatal accidents every year. Atlanta roads are certainly not an exception to the rule.
Who’s Involved in Fatal Crashes in Fulton County?
Occupants of cars and small passenger vehicles aren’t the only ones who can get hurt in an accident. In fact, others – including pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists – are actually much more likely to sustain severe and fatal injuries in a crash.
In 2019, there were 115 car accident fatalities in Fulton County.
Nearly half of those accidents involved non-motorists, including:
- Pedestrians (34, or 23.6 percent)
- Bicyclists (5, or 3.4 percent), and
- Motorcyclists (22, or 15.2 percent).
The remaining fatalities involved passenger vehicle occupants.
Fatal Car Accidents Are Problematic Across the State of Georgia
Fatal car accidents aren’t just limited to Fulton County and Atlanta. Other cities and many rural parts of the state are also home to dozens of fatal crashes every year. This means that Georgia, when compared to other states in the country, is fairly dangerous.
One study ranked Georgia as the 4th deadliest state in the nation in 2020. Why? Notable crash statistics include:
- There were 1,409 fatal accidents in Georgia in 2020. Only Florida, California, and Texas reported more.
- There are 14.04 road deaths per every 100,000 people living in the state (for context, the national fatality rate is 11.00 deaths per 100,000 people).
About 34 percent of fatal crashes occur in rural parts of the state. That means that cities like Atlanta are actually home to the majority of all severe and fatal motor vehicle accidents.
Which Intersections in Atlanta Have the Most Accidents?
National statistics published by the Federal Highway Administration suggest that roughly 2 out of every 5 car accidents occur at or near an intersection. Worse, 20 percent of fatal crashes involve an intersection. Atlanta roads are no exception. Many of the accidents in the city happen at a crossroads.
So, which intersections in Atlanta are the most dangerous? Studies suggest that the following intersections might be among those that you should try to avoid:
- Memorial Drive and North Hairston Road
- East Park Place and Stone Mountain Highway
- Covington Highway and Panola Road
- Covington Highway and Lithonia Road
- Cobb Place Blvd and Earnest Barrett Pkwy
- Jimmy Carter Blvd and Peachtree Industrial Blvd
- Bolton Road and Marietta Road
- Collier Road and Peachtree Road
- 14th Street and Peachtree Road
- Delmar Ave. and Delmoor Court
- State Bridge Road and Medlock Bridge Road
- Howell Mill Road and Chattahoochee Road
- North Druid Hills Road and Briarcliff Road
- Piedmont Road and Peachtree Road, and
- Habersham Road and West Paces Ferry Road.
Knowing where auto accidents tend to happen most might help to keep you safe. You can try to revise your route so that you use as few of these intersections as possible.
Contact A Car Wreck Lawyer in Atlanta For Help
Have you been involved in a car accident in Fulton County? Did you suffer an injury or lose someone you love in a fatal crash? You might be entitled to compensation for things like medical bills, lost wages, and chronic pain. Contact Hasner Law PC and find out how our Atlanta car accident attorneys can help you fight to maximize your recovery. Our law firm offers a free initial consultation, so don’t hesitate to call today.
Related Articles
- Do I Need A Lawyer After A Hit And Run Accident?
- Car Color And Crash Risk
- Common Car Accident Scenarios: Causes & Determining Fault
- What Are Car Seat Laws In Georgia?
- What If The Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
- Can I Be Compensated For Pre-Existing Conditions After A Car Accident?
- Car Inspection Laws
