Anyone who has driven on the highways in the Atlanta area knows that construction and changes in traffic patterns are never ending. Not only is there a maze of highways in the Atlanta area but the connecting points of the various highways are also always being shifted one way of another.
The interchange at interstate 285 and interstate 20 East is one of the busiest interchanges in the state, and has been a particularly dangerous one for motorists. It’s one of the deadliest junctions in Georgia, and responsible for causing hundreds of accidents every year. However, if plans to fix this particular piece of roadway are successful, the rate of deadly accidents at this interchange could soon be minimized.
The design of this junction creates a sort of optical illusion that does not warn drivers about the steep curve that lies ahead until it is possibly too late to stop. These hazards have been responsible for causing a large number of accidents over the years. In fact, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation between 2016 and 2021, there were a total of 3,000 motor vehicle accidents occurring at the interchange. These accidents resulted in more than 110 deaths.
According to law enforcement officials and experts, many of these accidents likely occurred due to the fact that drivers tend to pick up speed on the long straight road and do not notice the curve until it is too late. Georgia transportation safety authorities have tried to deal with the problem by placing safety and warning signs along the route, but to no avail. This is a high-speed junction and motorists are very unlikely to read the signs.
Now, the Georgia Department of Transportation is moving ahead with construction in the area that could minimize these safety risks. The new construction plans call for a flyover bridge that will help facilitate the smooth flow of traffic. The construction is part of a $2 billion initiative by the Georgia Department of Transportation in DeKalb County. The first phase of the construction of the flyover bridge is expected to begin in the early half of 2023. Construction is expected to be completed by 2026. Law enforcement officials and transportation safety advocates believe that these changes will go a long way in helping reduce the risk to motorists in this region.
If an accident has been caused by defective road design, you may be able to file a claim against city, local, state, county or federal agencies. However, these claims can be complicated to file. The burden of proof on the plaintiff for proving liability can be immense. The statute of limitations for filing these claims or the time limits within which claims should be filed can also be lower. For instance, if the claim is against a city or a county agency, the claim must be filed within a period of 6 months.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident caused as a result of a dangerous road or defective road design, talk to an Atlanta car accident lawyer at the Katz Personal Injury Lawyers and determine if you have legal options to a claim for damages. You may be eligible for compensation that includes medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and other forms of damages. Talk to an attorney at our firm, and determine your legal rights. Initial consultations are free.