Three people were taken to area hospitals after a two-motorcycle crash on Interstate 85 Northbound at Shallowford Road in DeKalb County, Georgia, on Wednesday, according to the DeKalb Fire Department. Two people were riding together on one motorcycle, while a third person was riding a second motorcycle. Emergency crews responded to the scene and transported two of the injured individuals to Gwinnett hospital. The third person was taken to Grady Hospital with serious injuries. Fire officials reported that one of the motorcycles caught fire during the collision, and the second motorcycle sustained visible damage. The crash occurred along a heavily traveled stretch of the interstate in the northern part of DeKalb County. Officials have not released the cause of the collision or the identities of the three people involved. The current condition of the injured riders has not been made public beyond the report that one person suffered serious injuries. Accident Data Center will update this report if additional confirmed information becomes available from local authorities.

Location and Infrastructure

Interstate 85 is a major north-south corridor running through metro Atlanta, carrying commuters, commercial trucks, and regional travelers between downtown Atlanta and the northeastern suburbs. The Shallowford Road interchange sits near the northern edge of DeKalb County, close to the Chamblee and Doraville areas and within a short distance of the Gwinnett County line. This portion of I-85 is known for dense traffic, frequent merging at interchange ramps, and speed variations during peak travel periods. Motorcyclists face added exposure in these conditions, since sudden braking, lane changes, and merging vehicles can leave little room for error. Multi-lane sections with high-speed traffic and heavy congestion can also make it difficult for riders to maintain safe spacing. The Georgia Department of Transportation maintains the interstate and its signage, lane markings, and interchange ramps. Specific road or weather conditions at the time of this crash have not been reported.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Georgia follows an at-fault system for motor vehicle collisions, meaning the party responsible for a crash may be liable for resulting damages. Georgia also applies a modified comparative negligence rule under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, which reduces recovery by an injured person's percentage of fault and bars recovery if that person is found 50 percent or more at fault. Georgia law requires motorists to carry minimum liability insurance, and injured parties may also have access to uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage or medical payments coverage, depending on their policies. Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in Georgia is generally two years from the date of injury, though exceptions may apply. Compensation in motor vehicle injury cases may include medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and, in wrongful death cases, damages available to eligible survivors. This information is general and is not legal advice.

Related Resources

Emergency Services

• DeKalb County Fire Rescue: dekalbcountyga.gov
• DeKalb County Police Department: dekalbcountyga.gov
• Georgia State Patrol: gsp.georgia.gov
• Grady Health System: gradyhealth.org
• Emergencies: dial 911

Traffic Safety Resources

• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: gahighwaysafety.org
• Georgia Department of Transportation (511 Georgia traffic conditions): 511ga.org
• Georgia Department of Driver Services (motorcycle licensing and safety information): dds.georgia.gov
• Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program: dds.georgia.gov

Support Services for Accident Victims

• Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program (Criminal Justice Coordinating Council): cjcc.georgia.gov
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Motorcycle Safety: nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycle-safety
• Georgia Department of Public Health: dph.georgia.gov
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) for emotional support

Georgia Traffic Laws and Regulations

• Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Title 40 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic): legis.ga.gov
• Georgia Department of Driver Services, Georgia Driver's Manual: dds.georgia.gov
• Georgia Department of Insurance, Auto Insurance Consumer Information: oci.georgia.gov