With multiple vehicles converging from different directions, heavy foot traffic, and changing traffic signals, any intersection presents an increased risk of driver error and severe car accidents. However, in Atlanta, some intersections are significantly more dangerous than others.
Based on traffic crash statistics, some of Atlanta’s most dangerous intersections include the following:
- Moreland Avenue and Glenwood Road
- Peachtree Street and 14th Street
- Roswell Road and Abernathy Road
- Peachtree Street and Lenox Road
- Camp Creek Parkway and Old Fairburn Road
- Ponce de Leon Avenue and Juniper Street
- Covington Highway and South Hairston Road
- Covington Highway and Panola Road
- Tara Boulevard and Veterans Memorial Parkway
- Piedmont Avenue and Monroe Drive.
While it may be wise to avoid these intersections, that’s not always practical or even possible. Instead, the best way to protect yourself while driving in Atlanta is to learn what makes an intersection dangerous, what commonly causes accidents, and how to respond in the event of an accident.
What Makes an Atlanta Intersection Dangerous?
Serious car accidents can happen anywhere, whether you’re pulling out of your own driveway or motoring down I-285. However, that doesn’t mean the level of risk is the same wherever you drive. Some of the most common reasons why Atlanta’s most dangerous intersections have their reputation include the following:
- High traffic volume
- High number of pedestrians and cyclists
- Poor road design or visibility
- Faulty or poorly timed traffic signals.
While any intersection has an elevated risk of accidents, particularly busy and poorly designed intersections elevate that risk even further.
What Are Some Causes of Intersection Accidents?
While an intersection’s design and traffic volume play a significant role in determining its safety risks, other factors can be at play when a crash occurs. Some of the most common causes of intersection accidents include the following:
- Failure to yield — Following right-of-way rules is critical for intersection safety. When a driver fails to yield properly, a collision is likely.
- Distracted driving — It’s always important to avoid distractions while driving, such as texting. It’s even more critical when crossing an intersection. With traffic signals, crossing pedestrians, stopping and turning vehicles, and oncoming traffic, an intersection presents countless ways a distracted driver can cause serious injuries.
- Impaired driving — Driving while drunk or impaired by drugs causes delayed reaction times and affects judgment, which can be detrimental in a high-traffic intersection.
- Speeding — Driving too fast through an intersection can prevent a driver from stopping on time if they need to stop. It can also cause another driver to misjudge how much time they have to pull in front of the speeding driver.
- Running red lights or stop signs — Traffic signals and stop signs control the flow of traffic and prevent accidents. When drivers ignore them, the consequences can be severe.
What Are the Different Types of Atlanta Intersection Accidents?
Intersection accidents come in many forms. Some of the most common include the following:
- T-bone or broadside accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Sideswipes
- Pedestrian accidents.
With cars and people moving in all directions around intersections, just about every kind of accident is possible. These collisions can often be particularly severe because they frequently involve two vehicles moving in opposite directions, increasing the power of impact. Contact our Atlanta car crash attorney today.
What Are Common Injuries in Atlanta Intersection Accidents?
Given the wide range of accident types that occur in intersections, it follows that a vast array of injuries will occur in those accidents. Some of the most common injuries include the following:
- Whiplash
- Neck injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Spinal injuries
- Lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Death.
What Should You Do If You Have Been in an Intersection Accident in Atlanta?
Your actions in the days and weeks following an intersection accident can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of your car accident claim. In addition to seeking medical attention, you should do the following:
- Document the accident scene — Photos and videos of the accident can help establish liability and provide evidence of the harm the other party caused. Document vehicle damage, accident debris, road conditions, traffic signals and signs, and any visible injuries. You should also collect contact information for all the parties involved in the accident and any witnesses.
- Keep meticulous records — Hold on to all medical records, receipts, invoices, financial statements, and any other documents related to your car accident injuries. They will serve as valuable evidence of your damages.
- Be careful when speaking with insurance companies — Insurance companies will attempt to minimize your payout by offering a quick, unfavorable settlement or tricking you into providing more information than necessary. They will try to use those words against you. Never admit fault, don’t accept any quick settlements, avoid making recorded statements, and speak with a lawyer before speaking with the insurer.
- Consult with an experienced car accident lawyer — An experienced personal injury attorney can be tremendously beneficial as you pursue a car accident claim. They can review your case for free and inform you of your legal options. If the lawyer can take your case, they will then begin gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and consulting experts to build a strong case and seek maximum compensation.
Who Can Be Held Liable in an Atlanta Intersection Accident?
Establishing liability is essential for any car accident lawsuit. Sometimes, that’s relatively straightforward. Other times, it’s more challenging and involves multiple liable parties. Some of the most common liable parties include the following:
- Other drivers — The other driver may be liable due to distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, or violating other traffic laws.
- Vehicle or part manufacturers — If a mechanical failure contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of either the vehicle or the faulty or defective part may be liable for your injuries.
- Employers — If the at-fault driver was on the job at the time of the accident, their employer may also bear some responsibility. Reasons the employer may hold liability include irresponsible hiring practices and entrusting the operation of a vehicle to someone they know is incompetent or reckless.
- Government entities — When poor road design or malfunctioning traffic signals play a role in an intersection accident, the city or state may be liable.
Contact an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve suffered injuries in an intersection accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the experienced car accident attorneys at Bayuk Pratt can help. We have over 50 years of combined experience protecting the rights of injured clients in Atlanta and throughout Georgia.
Our extensive record of substantial settlements speaks for itself, and our many heartfelt client testimonials back it up. Learn more about how we can use our insider’s knowledge of how insurance companies operate to help you seek maximum compensation. Contact us today for your free case review.
