Roswell Road & Abernathy Road: Why This Sandy Springs Intersection Ranks Among the City’s Most Crash-Prone

Quick answer: The intersection of Roswell Road and Abernathy Road is one of the highest-crash locations in Sandy Springs — the city ranked it among its most dangerous intersections in its 2025 High-Injury Network analysis, and it carried the 4th-highest crash rate in the city based on earlier data. Heavy traffic, limited visibility, and a difficult right-turn movement drove a pattern of right-angle and pedestrian crashes serious enough that the city and GDOT rebuilt parts of it.

If you’ve been hurt here, document the scene, get medical care, and talk to a Georgia injury attorney before dealing with any insurer. Buckhead Law: 770-GET-PAID.

Where is this intersection?

Roswell Road (State Route 9) is Sandy Springs’ central north–south spine, running from the Chattahoochee River down toward Buckhead. Abernathy Road crosses it in the heart of the city, near Abernathy Square and a dense cluster of shopping, dining, and offices, not far from the I-285/GA-400 interchange.

It’s one of the busiest surface junctions in Sandy Springs, carrying a constant mix of commuters, shoppers, and pedestrians.

Why is Roswell & Abernathy so dangerous?

The city’s own data flags it. Sandy Springs completed a High-Injury Network analysis in 2025 and listed Roswell Road & Abernathy Road among the most dangerous intersections in the city. Earlier city data ranked it as the 4th-highest crash location in Sandy Springs based on crashes and traffic volume. For context, city statistics have found that just three roads account for over 80% of Sandy Springs’ fatal crashes — and Roswell Road is one of them.

A specific turning movement was the problem. Before recent safety work, the right turn from Roswell onto Abernathy had the highest crash pattern at the intersection. Heavy traffic, limited sightlines, and drivers rushing the turn produced repeated collisions.

Cars and pedestrians both get hurt here. Studies of the intersection documented a mix of right-angle (T-bone) crashes and pedestrian crashes. The surrounding area has heavy foot traffic between shopping centers, and pedestrian safety along Roswell Road has been an ongoing community concern.

The city rebuilt parts of it — which tells you how bad it was. In a joint project with GDOT, the city signalized right-turn movements, added barrier separation between through traffic and left-turn lanes, and shortened medians to make turns safer. Infrastructure fixes like these get prioritized where the crash history justifies the cost.

What types of crashes happen here most?

• Right-angle (T-bone) crashes at the signal, historically tied to the right-turn movement
• Rear-end collisions in heavy stop-and-go traffic
• Pedestrian crashes, given the dense retail foot traffic
• Turning and lane-change crashes among drivers competing through a busy junction

What should you do after a crash at Roswell & Abernathy?

1. Get to safety and call 911 so there’s an official record.
2. Document the scene — vehicle positions, damage, signals, and the other driver’s details. The surrounding shopping centers often have cameras worth identifying quickly.
3. See a doctor promptly, even if you feel okay; adrenaline masks injuries, and an early medical record helps.
4. Be careful with insurers — you’re not required to give the other driver’s insurer a recorded statement.
5. Talk to a Georgia injury attorney before settling, especially if you were injured or fault is disputed.

How long do you have to file a claim in Georgia?

Georgia’s statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of injury (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). Exceptions can shorten that window — including claims involving a government entity — so confirm your specific deadline with an attorney.