A serious multiple-vehicle collision brought all northbound lanes of Interstate 75 in Henry County, Georgia, to a complete standstill, causing significant travel disruptions during the busy holiday season. According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, the multi-vehicle accident occurred at mile marker 213 on I-75 North, forcing authorities to implement a complete closure of the highway. Emergency responders worked diligently at the scene while traffic was diverted off the interstate at Exit 205. The Georgia Department of Transportation's 511GA system initially projected the incident would be cleared by 1:30 p.m., and lanes have since reopened, though residual traffic congestion persists in the area. The crash created extensive delays affecting northbound I-75 traffic from the upper portions of Monroe County all the way toward the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Georgia Department of Public Safety urged motorists to seek alternative routes during the closure, particularly given the increased holiday travel volumes on this major corridor.

Location and Infrastructure

Interstate 75 at mile marker 213 in Henry County represents a critical segment of one of Georgia's busiest north-south transportation corridors, serving as a primary route connecting central Georgia to the Atlanta metropolitan area. This section of I-75 experiences particularly heavy traffic volumes during holiday periods as travelers head toward Atlanta and points north. The highway in this area is a multi-lane interstate with high speed limits, where traffic flow can change rapidly from free-flowing to congested conditions. Henry County sits approximately 30 miles south of downtown Atlanta, making this stretch of highway a major commuter and commercial trucking route. The proximity to Exit 205, which served as the diversion point, provided authorities with a nearby exit to redirect traffic, though the closure still resulted in significant backup conditions extending into neighboring Monroe County.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Georgia law provides specific protections and remedies for individuals involved in multi-vehicle accidents on interstate highways. Under Georgia Code § 51-1-6, parties injured in motor vehicle collisions may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering when another driver's negligence caused or contributed to the crash. Georgia operates under a modified comparative negligence system (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33), meaning injured parties can recover damages as long as they are less than 50% at fault for the accident. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Georgia is generally two years from the date of the accident (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). Multi-vehicle accidents often present complex liability questions, as multiple insurance companies and parties may be involved. Georgia requires minimum liability insurance coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. Accident victims should document the scene, obtain a copy of the official accident report from the Georgia Department of Public Safety, and preserve all medical records related to injuries sustained in the collision.

Related Resources

Emergency Services:

• Henry County Police Department: Non-emergency (770) 288-8000
• Henry County Fire Department
• Georgia State Patrol Post 35 (McDonough): (770) 957-3660

Traffic and Safety Resources:

• Georgia Department of Transportation 511GA: www.511ga.org or dial 511
• Georgia Department of Public Safety: www.dps.ga.gov
• Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety: www.gahighwaysafety.org
• Henry County Emergency Management Agency

Support Services:

• Henry Medical Center: (678) 604-4000
• Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Resources

Legal and Regulatory Information:

• Official Code of Georgia Annotated (Traffic Laws): www.legis.ga.gov
• Georgia Department of Driver Services: www.dds.ga.gov
• Georgia Insurance Commissioner: www.oci.ga.gov