Where Do Most Gwinnett County Car Crashes Happen?
Most Gwinnett County crashes happen outside city limits, in the unincorporated areas patrolled by the Gwinnett County Police Department. From 2021 through 2025, Gwinnett County Police handled 100,858 of the roughly 152,300 crashes reported in the county, about two out of every three.
- Among Gwinnett’s cities, Lawrenceville reported the most crashes, followed by Suwanee and Snellville.
- Roughly half of all crashes were intersection-related.
- Crashes peaked in the 5 p.m. hour, the busiest hour of the day for wrecks.
The full breakdown by year, location, crash type, and time of day appears below.
Gwinnett County car accident statistics tell a story about growth. Police reported more than 152,000 crashes in Gwinnett from 2021 through 2025, an average of more than 80 every day. This report uses public data from the Georgia Department of Transportation to show where those crashes happened, what kinds of crashes were most common, and when the risk was highest.
McArthur Law Firm prepared this analysis to help Gwinnett residents, journalists, and community leaders understand local crash patterns. Our attorneys have represented injured Georgians for 44 years, and we see firsthand how a single crash can change a family’s life.
Call Us Now for a Free Consultation!
Key Takeaways about Metro Atlanta Accident Hotspots & Crash Data
- GDOT data shows 152,284 crashes coded to Gwinnett County from 2021 through 2025.
- Gwinnett County Police handled about 66% of those crashes, reflecting how much traffic moves through unincorporated Gwinnett.
- Rear-end collisions were the most common crash type, at roughly 44% of all crashes.
- Crashes built through the afternoon and peaked in the 5 p.m. hour.
- Pedestrian-related crashes rose from about 135 in 2021 to roughly 180 or more in each year from 2023 through 2025.
About This Data
This report draws on the Georgia Department of Transportation Crash Data Dashboard, which compiles police-reported crashes on Georgia’s public roads. We filtered the dashboard to Gwinnett County and reviewed crash reports from 2021 through 2025, as of September 2026.
Exact counts come directly from the dashboard’s tables. Figures described as “about” or “roughly” were read from dashboard charts and rounded. A small number of crashes, 28 in total, were coded to neighboring counties or had no county listed, so they are excluded from the county total.
A few limits apply to any crash dataset. Not every crash is reported to police, contributing factors reflect the reporting officer’s judgment, and 2025 figures may still change as reports are finalized.
How Many Crashes Happen in Gwinnett County Each Year?
Gwinnett averaged more than 30,000 reported crashes a year over the five-year period. Crash totals jumped sharply in 2023 and stayed high through 2025.
| Year | Reported Crashes (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 27,000 |
| 2022 | 26,500 |
| 2023 | 33,000 |
| 2024 | 34,000 |
| 2025 | 31,000 |
The increase from 2022 to 2023 amounted to roughly 6,500 more crashes in a single year. That level held through 2024, the highest year in the study period.
Where in Gwinnett Do Crashes Happen?
Most Gwinnett crashes happen in unincorporated areas rather than inside city limits. Crash reports identify which police agency responded, which offers a clear picture of where crashes occur.
| Responding Agency | Crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Gwinnett County Police Department | 100,858 | 66.2% |
| Lawrenceville Police Department | 10,061 | 6.6% |
| Snellville Police Department | 6,556 | 4.3% |
| Suwanee Police Department | 6,081 | 4.0% |
| Norcross Police Department | 5,686 | 3.7% |
| Lilburn Police Department | 5,165 | 3.4% |
| Duluth Police Department | 3,766 | 2.5% |
Gwinnett County Police patrol the county’s unincorporated areas, which include heavily traveled stretches of I-85, SR 316, Pleasant Hill Road, and Sugarloaf Parkway. About 63,000 crashes were tied to a named city. The rest, nearly 90,000, had no city listed, which generally means they happened in unincorporated Gwinnett.
Crashes by City
Among Gwinnett’s cities, these reported the most crashes during the study period:
| City | Crashes |
|---|---|
| Lawrenceville | 13,055 |
| Suwanee | 7,434 |
| Snellville | 7,171 |
| Norcross | 6,690 |
| Buford | 6,110 |
| Lilburn | 5,605 |
| Duluth | 5,526 |
| Peachtree Corners | 5,479 |
| Dacula | 1,498 |
| Sugar Hill | 1,495 |
Lawrenceville, the county seat, led every other city by a wide margin. Suwanee’s second-place total stands out for a city of its size. The city sits along I-85, with busy commercial roads near its interchanges.
Norcross, where Jimmy Carter Boulevard and Buford Highway meet heavy commuter traffic, also ranked high. Buford sits near the Mall of Georgia and I-985, both major traffic generators.
What Kinds of Crashes Are Most Common in Gwinnett?
Rear-end collisions were the most common type of crash in Gwinnett, followed by angle crashes, which often happen when one vehicle turns across another’s path.
| Manner of Collision | Crashes (approx.) | Share (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Rear end | 67,000 | 44% |
| Angle | 41,500 | 27% |
| Sideswipe, same direction | 22,500 | 15% |
| Not a collision with another vehicle | 12,000 | 8% |
| Head-on | 3,500 | 2% |
These patterns fit Gwinnett’s traffic. Stop-and-go congestion leads to rear-end crashes, while left turns into shopping centers and across multilane roads lead to angle crashes.
GDOT’s focus-area data points in the same direction. Roughly half of all Gwinnett crashes were intersection-related, and about 20,000, or roughly 13%, were hit-and-run crashes. More than 1,000 crashes involved deer, a reminder that wildlife remains a risk even in a largely suburban county.
What Vehicles Are Involved in Gwinnett Crashes?
Passenger cars and SUVs made up most vehicles involved in Gwinnett crashes. Because many crashes involve more than one vehicle, these figures count vehicles rather than crashes.
| Vehicle Type | Vehicles Involved |
|---|---|
| Passenger car | 108,142 |
| Sport utility vehicle | 62,116 |
| Pickup truck | 31,331 |
| Van | 13,037 |
| Tractor-trailer | 5,063 |
| Single-unit truck | 3,187 |
| Motorcycle | 1,084 |
More than 8,000 large trucks were involved in Gwinnett crashes over five years, including 5,063 tractor-trailers. Many of those crashes happen on I-85 and I-985, two of the busiest freight corridors in the Southeast.
When Do Gwinnett County Crashes Happen?
Gwinnett crashes follow the rhythm of the workday. Crash counts rise sharply after 5 a.m., reach a morning peak around 7 and 8 a.m., and then climb steadily through the afternoon.
The 5 p.m. hour saw the most crashes of any hour, with close to 14,000 over the five-year period. That is nearly twice the morning rush-hour peak, and injury crashes followed the same afternoon pattern.
Crashes dropped to their lowest levels between 2 and 4 a.m., at roughly 1,000 per hour over five years. The takeaway for drivers is simple: the evening commute carries the most risk.
Pedestrian Crashes Are Rising in Gwinnett
Pedestrian-related crashes increased over the study period. GDOT data shows about 135 in 2021, climbing to roughly 180 or more in each year from 2023 through 2025, an increase of about one-third.
Timing sets these crashes apart. While overall crashes peak at 5 p.m., pedestrian crashes cluster between 6 and 9 p.m., hours that are dark for much of the year, with another spike around 6 a.m.
Wide multilane roads with long distances between crosswalks make crossing especially difficult. Drivers can help by watching closely for people on foot near bus stops and shopping centers during evening hours.
Young Drivers and Distracted Driving
Teen drivers are involved in a significant share of Gwinnett crashes. Drivers ages 15 to 19 were involved in roughly 4,000 to 4,900 crashes each year, about 22,500 in total, or roughly one in seven crashes.
Confirmed distracted-driving crashes ranged from roughly 550 to 750 per year. These numbers almost certainly undercount the problem, because distraction is only confirmed when a driver admits it or clear evidence shows it.
Parents of teen drivers can use this data to start honest conversations about phones, speed, and following distance. Small habits make a real difference on busy roads.
Safer Driving on Gwinnett’s Busiest Roads
The data points to a handful of habits that address Gwinnett’s most common crashes. Drivers can lower their risk by:
- Leaving extra following distance in stop-and-go traffic to avoid rear-end crashes
- Taking extra care with left turns across multiple lanes, where angle crashes happen
- Staying especially alert during the late-afternoon commute
- Watching for pedestrians after dark near bus stops and shopping centers
- Putting phones away and setting GPS directions before driving
No driver can control what others do on the road. These habits still help reduce the chances of a crash and give drivers more time to react when someone else makes a mistake.
What This Data Means for People Hurt in Gwinnett Crashes
Crash data shows patterns, but every crash involves real people and real losses. If you were hurt in one of these crashes, the details of your case matter far more than any countywide trend.
Evidence such as traffic camera footage, police reports, and witness statements can show exactly what happened. Our Gwinnett County personal injury attorneys move quickly to preserve that evidence before it disappears, including in crashes involving Uber and Lyft drivers.
For crashes elsewhere in the metro area, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers can help. We serve families across Gwinnett, DeKalb, Fulton, and surrounding counties.
Call Us Now for a Free Consultation!
FAQs about Gwinnett County Car Accident Statistics
Here are answers to common questions about Gwinnett crash data and crash reports.
How can I get a copy of my Gwinnett County crash report?
Georgia crash reports can be requested through the online BuyCrash system linked from GDOT’s crash reporting page, or from the law enforcement agency that responded. Having your report number or crash date ready will speed up the request.
Which police agency handles most Gwinnett crashes?
The Gwinnett County Police Department handled about two-thirds of reported crashes from 2021 through 2025. City police departments handle crashes inside their own city limits.
Can crash data help my injury claim?
Countywide statistics rarely decide an individual case. Your own police report, photos, and witness statements are usually far more important.
Why do some cities have more crashes than others?
Traffic volume plays a large role, since cities with major highways and shopping districts see more vehicles. City size, road design, and the number of intersections also affect crash totals.
What should I do if I was hurt in a Gwinnett crash?
Get medical care, report the crash to police, and keep copies of your records and photos. Talking with an attorney early can help you understand your options before you speak with an insurance company.
Talk With McArthur Law Firm About a Gwinnett County Crash
Founding Partner
Behind every crash statistic is a person trying to recover. McArthur Law Firm has spent 44 years helping injured Georgians hold careless drivers accountable, and we are ready to help you understand your options.
Call our Atlanta office 24/7 at 404-565-1621 for a free consultation, or contact us online.
Call Us Now for a Free Consultation!
McArthur Law Firm, Atlanta Office
55 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Suite 840
Atlanta, GA 30308
Phone: 404-565-1621
