Injured in an I-285 Accident? Here’s Your Next Step
Take a quick look at the Georgia Department of Transportation’s list of major projects and one road in particular pops up more than most: I-285 in Atlanta. There’s the Transform 285/400 project, well known to most folks in Atlanta since it began in 2017. There’s the related I-285 Westbound Auxiliary Lane Extension project, the I-285/I-20 East Interchange (where many drivers will have spotted a flyover bridge under construction), and the I-285/I-20 West Interchange—approved in the summer of 2024 and meant to tackle the fifth-most-congested interchange in the country.
Georgia drivers can also expect to see work on numerous I-285 “advanced improvement projects” at any given time. Think interchange work, bridge widening, bridge replacement or lane extensions.
And while the construction projects can create hazards for drivers and the work crews, there’s a reason why so many jobs are on the docket and have been for years. I-285 has the unpleasant distinction of being one of the most dangerous highways, due partly to its combination of commuters, out-of-towners and truckers. Atlanta’s growth since the highway’s opening in 1969 is hard to comprehend, stretching a road once built as a convenient alternative to I-75 and I-85 to its max.
With congestion, construction and reckless drivers in abundance, how can you drive safely on I-285, and what should you do if you’re in an accident?
Staying safe if you pass an accident on I-285
Like many highways, I-285 is peppered with billboards for car accident attorneys (not really our style at Litner + Deganian). But the real deal is often right in front of drivers: fender-benders, major pileups, motor vehicle crashes, and truck accidents.
All drivers can take steps to make I-285 safer, mostly by following common-sense rules of the road and staying present while driving. This includes:
- Not exceeding the speed limit, which is 65 miles per hour, with some areas featuring variable speeds and construction zones affecting many stretches
- Never driving while under the influence of drugs of alcohol
- Never driving distracted
- Driving defensively by using signals, leaving space near trucks and avoiding cutting off drivers or tailgating
If you see an I-285 accident where first responders have already arrived, stay alert for disabled vehicles, road debris and emergency responders, as they may be providing medical treatment on-site. Slow your speed, leave plenty of room and be aware of drivers who may be distracted by the crash.
If you witness an accident on I-285, prioritize your safety and that of your passengers, then try to pull over if possible, leaving plenty of space between your car and the disabled vehicles. Turn on your hazards and call 911, sharing relevant details about what happened and where you are, giving landmarks like exits and direction of travel.
Unfortunately, conditions on large stretches of I-285 mean it’s likely unsafe for motorists to exit their vehicles to check on those involved in the crash. However, you can still provide important assistance by calling 911, then sharing your information and a statement with responding police.
What to do if you’re in a crash on I-285
After a car accident, adrenaline and potential injuries can make it difficult to think clearly, get help and not do anything that could worsen potential injuries. On a busy highway like I-285, it’s especially important to know which steps to take to avoid a potential secondary collision.
If you’re involved in a crash, especially on a large highway like I-285, here’s what to do:
- Call 911 and stay on the scene: If you’re able to do so, call 911, share your location and ask for medical help.
- Move your vehicle to the shoulder if you can: If your car is drivable and you’re able to navigate it safely to the shoulder, try to get out of the flow of traffic, then turn off the engine and turn on your hazards. If you have safety flares, you can consider placing them near the vehicle, but only if it feels safe to do so. If you can’t move your vehicle, turn off the ignition, turn on your hazards and remain inside.
- Get the medical attention you need: When you speak to first responders, trust their assessment if they believe you need immediate medical care. If you don’t require an ambulance, still get checked out as soon as possible after the crash. Soft tissue injuries, back injuries and even traumatic brain injuries may not be obvious at first, or adrenaline may mask symptoms. Waiting days or even week until pain worsens can make an eventual personal injury claim harder to argue with the insurance company.
- Ensure the responding officer creates a police report: If you don’t require immediate medical attention, the responding law enforcement officer will want to speak to you about the crash and ask questions. Answer questions calmly, note the officer’s name and badge number, and find out how you’ll get a copy of the police report—another important component of any potential personal injury claim. You can also easily access your accident report for free through the Litner + Deganian accident report tool.
- Exchange information with the other drivers involved: Be sure to exchange information such as your name, address, phone number, license plate number, tag information and insurance information with the other drivers. Be sure to collect the same information from them. Only do this after first responders ensure the accident scene is safe.
- Note details about the scene and speak to witnesses: While it’s a good idea to get contact information from any witnesses who’ve stopped, be careful trying to gather evidence at the scene. After a surface road crash or an accident on a less-traveled highway, it can be helpful to photograph the site, including the accident scene as a whole and close-ups of the damage. But dangerous conditions on I-285 make moving around the crash site potentially unsafe. Remember to never put yourself in harm’s way to secure photos or other crash site evidence.
- Move your vehicle off I-285: The logistics after a crash can get complicated, so consider keeping the name and address of your mechanic on hand, plus the contact information for a tow company. If you’re hurt and need to leave the scene before your car does, the police will call for a tow.
Steps to take after a car crash on I-285
Being involved in a car crash on I-285 can be traumatic. After you’ve gotten checked out for potential injuries, take some time to write down your recollections of what happened. While you don’t want to share accident details on social media, creating a private account of the crash, whether it’s written down or recorded in a voice memo, can help bring back key details as some memories fade.
Contact your insurance company to let them know you were in a crash on I-285, but politely decline to speak to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. They’ll be looking for accounts that don’t match what was recorded in the police report or even minor admissions of fault. You’ll also want to ask friends for personal injury lawyer recommendations and plan to speak to a few practices. If your accident is complicated (like a chain reaction crash on I-285 or an I-285 truck accident[S1] ), or if you’re facing a complex injury, be sure to choose an experienced attorney who is well-versed in handling cases like yours.
As you begin working through post-auto accident challenges like getting your car repaired, visiting medical specialists for medical care or arranging for childcare while you recover, be sure to give yourself some time to process what happened and get professional help if you need it.
Atlanta Personal Injury Attorneys
After an accident on I-285, you need an attorney who can help you navigate the personal injury claim process. At Litner + Deganian, we have experienced attorneys who specialize in personal injury cases and know how to reach fair settlements for our clients. We’re also a local law firm, based here in Atlanta, with plenty of miles logged on I-285 ourselves. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident on I-285, you can easily access your accident report for free with our police report tool. If you need additional assistance or have questions about your case, set up a free consultation with our team.
