Last year, approximately 7,500 traffic crashes were reported in Savannah. These wrecks killed 14 people and injured more than 2,200 others. Between 2019 and 2023, 87 fatal crashes have occurred in Savannah, with 21 recorded in 2022 and another 21 fatal wrecks in 2023. These numbers offer a sharp contrast to the 13 fatal crashes reported in 2019.
Why Do Traffic Crashes Happen in Savannah?
There are several reasons why car accidents in Savannah, GA are common. Millions of people visit Savannah each year, resulting in high traffic volume. Car accidents on congested roads can frequently occur because of:
Distracted Driving
Tourists unfamiliar with Savannah’s roads and how to get to certain locations tend to pay more attention to landmarks, navigation devices, and other passengers than to the road. In doing so, they take their eyes off the road and other traffic around them, increasing the likelihood of a crash.
Drunk Driving
People come to Savannah every year to unwind and enjoy themselves, which for some means consuming alcohol. Getting buzzed or drunk and then trying to drive can lead to crashes because the driver is often unable to quickly comprehend and react to their surroundings. They are also more likely to engage in reckless driving.
Ignoring Traffic Laws
Georgia’s traffic laws are not so unique that drivers from other states cannot know and follow them. Instead, these laws often get ignored because out-of-town drivers are more focused on reaching their destinations than driving safely and following the law. Disregarding right-of-way laws, failing to signal, and speeding can all increase the likelihood of a wreck.
Of course, out-of-town drivers can also wear on Savannah residents’ patience, leading them to drive aggressively, follow other motorists too closely, or speed. Each of these behaviors is also negligent and can increase the likelihood of a collision.
Where Are Savannah’s Accident “Hot Spots?”
No street in Savannah is completely safe; accidents, including ones causing injuries, can happen anywhere and under various conditions. However, if you find yourself needing to travel any of the following roads, exercise extra caution. Each of these has been the location for multiple fatality crashes since 2019:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
This major, divided road runs north-south through Savannah and intersects with several major streets along its route. Some of the most dangerous intersections include those with Victory Drive, West 37th Street, and Gwinnett Street.
Lynes Parkway
Between GA 204 and Ogeechee Road, a handful of fatal crashes have happened along Lynes Parkway in recent years. Elevated speed limits and major interchanges are just two factors that make this road particularly dangerous.
Interstate 95
Interstate 95, northwest of downtown Savannah, is not just a major highway in town. It is one of the nation’s largest and most dangerous interstates. Between GA-17 and Pooler Parkway alone, five fatal accidents occurred between 2019 and 2023.
Ogeechee Road
Ogeechee Road is itself dangerous and a hotspot for fatal crashes, due in part to its length and the major roads with which it intersects. From where it meets Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to the intersection with Chatham Parkway, seven fatal wrecks have occurred over the last few years.
Other Potential Traffic Hotspots in Savannah
Aside from these roads and highways with a history of fatal crashes, be alert whenever you are traveling on major roads that carry a significant amount of traffic. These tend to be streets that tourists must use to reach hotels, attractions, and eating establishments, which makes driving on them even riskier.
For more information, please contact our experienced Savannah personal injury lawyer at Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have a convenient location in Savannah, GA.
We proudly serve Chatham County, Georgia, and its surrounding areas.
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About The Author
Attorney Andrew Bowen is a founding partner of Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers based in Savannah, GA. He earned his law degree from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law in 1998, after completing his undergraduate studies at Washington and Lee University. Licensed to practice in Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, Andrew is also admitted to the federal courts in Georgia and South Carolina, the Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. With over 25 years of legal experience focusing exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death cases since 2001, ranging from medical malpractice and automobile wrecks to commercial truck and motorcycle accidents. Andrew has established himself as a formidable advocate attorney in the Georgia community; his dedication to personally overseeing each case ensures that clients receive individualized attention and aggressive representation. Click here to view some of the exceptional case results Andrew has helped secure on behalf of injured clients.
Location: Savannah, GA
