Car accidents in Los Angeles often happen where traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists converge in busy urban areas. Los Angeles’s most dangerous intersections continue to record some of the highest crash rates in California, leaving residents and visitors dealing with painful injuries, medical bills, and the stress of recovery.
When another driver causes a collision, the injured person deserves accountability and fair compensation for losses. A knowledgeable Los Angeles car accident attorney can help you pursue justice and handle the insurance process while you focus on healing.
Key Takeaways: Most Dangerous Intersections in LA
- Figueroa Street and Slauson Avenue consistently report some of the highest crash rates in Los Angeles.
- Intersections with poor design and heavy traffic often increase the risk of severe or fatal accidents.
- Drivers who ignore traffic laws, speed, or drive under the influence often cause devastating intersection crashes.
- Accident victims may pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain through an insurance claim or lawsuit.
- Greenberg Gross helps injured individuals hold negligent drivers and other responsible parties accountable.
Los Angeles’s 7 Most Dangerous Intersections
Busy intersections across Los Angeles create constant movement between vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Each of these high-risk locations has its own challenges that make collisions more likely.
1. Figueroa Street and Slauson Avenue
Located in South Los Angeles, this intersection sees thousands of vehicles daily. Frequent lane changes, red-light running, and distracted driving have led to numerous crashes. Pedestrians trying to cross during short light cycles often face danger from impatient drivers turning quickly through crosswalks.
2. Sepulveda Boulevard and Roscoe Boulevard
In the San Fernando Valley, this intersection experiences heavy traffic during morning and evening commutes. The large number of turning lanes, along with nearby businesses, often leads to rear-end accidents and sideswipes from drivers trying to merge into traffic quickly.
3. Figueroa Street and Manchester Avenue
Drivers often speed through this intersection to beat the light, creating a high risk of T-bone collisions. The area also sees a large volume of pedestrians, which increases the chance of pedestrian-related crashes when drivers fail to yield.
4. Roscoe Boulevard and Van Nuys
This intersection combines heavy traffic from nearby schools and retail areas. Frequent congestion and aggressive driving behavior contribute to multiple-vehicle accidents, especially during peak travel times.
5. Western Avenue and Slauson Avenue
Located near several local businesses and bus stops, this intersection often has limited visibility. Cars turning left across multiple lanes of traffic pose serious risks to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians.
6. Broadway and Manchester Avenue
Drivers traveling through this South Los Angeles intersection often encounter confusing light patterns and limited turning space. Side-impact collisions and rear-end crashes happen regularly, especially when drivers misjudge the flow of traffic.
7. Figueroa Street and Florence Avenue
This intersection ranks among the most dangerous in the city. Speeding, distracted driving, and illegal turns create hazardous conditions. Many crashes here involve pedestrians and cyclists, especially during evening hours when visibility drops.
What Makes These Intersections So Dangerous?
Some intersections in Los Angeles pose more risk because of design issues, driver behavior, and congestion. Several common factors contribute to the high number of accidents in these areas.
High Traffic Volume
Los Angeles has one of the highest concentrations of vehicles in the country. Intersections like those along Figueroa Street and Sepulveda Boulevard handle thousands of vehicles daily. The sheer number of cars increases the chances of collisions, especially when drivers rush to make lights.
Poor Intersection Design
Some intersections have outdated layouts that no longer match modern traffic needs. Poor sightlines, short turning lanes, and limited pedestrian visibility make it harder for drivers to react in time. Complex intersections that combine multiple entry points can confuse even experienced drivers.
Inadequate Signage and Traffic Signals
Malfunctioning or poorly timed signals contribute to confusion and dangerous decision-making. When lights change too quickly or signs are obscured, drivers may make unsafe maneuvers, leading to serious crashes.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Conflicts
Los Angeles’s commitment to walkability and bike lanes adds more people to already busy roads. While positive for mobility, it also creates conflicts when drivers fail to yield or check for pedestrians and cyclists in crosswalks or bike lanes.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Drivers who tailgate, change lanes abruptly, or accelerate through yellow lights often cause violent collisions. Speeding reduces reaction time, especially in areas with heavy cross traffic and pedestrians.
DUI Incidents
Driving under the influence remains a major cause of intersection crashes in Los Angeles. Impaired drivers struggle to judge distances and react to signals, creating extreme danger at high-traffic crossings.
What Types of Accidents Occur at Dangerous Intersections?
Intersections create multiple points of conflict where vehicles cross paths, merge, or stop. The following accident types occur most frequently at these locations.
T-Bone Collisions (Side-Impact Crashes)
These happen when one vehicle runs a red light or fails to yield, striking the side of another car. Side-impact collisions often cause serious injuries because the sides of vehicles offer less protection than the front or rear.
Rear-End Accidents
Heavy stop-and-go traffic and distracted driving lead to rear-end collisions. Even low-speed impacts can cause neck, back, and soft tissue injuries.
Left-Turn Accidents
When drivers misjudge oncoming traffic or turn without a green arrow, they often collide with vehicles traveling straight through the intersection. These crashes can result in significant damage due to the angle of impact.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians remain highly vulnerable in intersection crashes. Drivers making right or left turns without checking crosswalks frequently strike people crossing legally at signals.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists face high risks at intersections when other drivers fail to see them. Many motorcycle crashes happen when vehicles make sudden turns or lane changes without signaling—situations where a motorcycle accident lawyer can help establish fault.
Who Is Liable for Intersection Accidents in California?
Determining who holds responsibility for a Los Angeles intersection accident often requires a detailed investigation. Multiple parties may share liability depending on the facts of the case.
Driver Negligence Under California Vehicle Code
California law requires all drivers to follow traffic signals, yield to pedestrians, and maintain safe speeds. Violating these rules, through distracted driving, speeding, or running red lights, for instance, often establishes liability.
Government Liability for Dangerous Road Conditions
The city or state may share responsibility if poor road design, missing signs, or defective traffic lights contribute to the accident. Claims against government entities involve strict notice deadlines and procedures.
Multiple Party Liability
In some crashes, more than one person or entity contributes to the collision. For example, a distracted driver might hit another car after a city maintenance crew failed to fix a malfunctioning signal. Each responsible party can be held accountable for their share of the damages.
Comparative Negligence in California (Pure Comparative Fault)
California follows a system called pure comparative negligence. This means you can still recover compensation even if you share some fault, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
What Should You Do After an Intersection Accident?
Your actions after a car crash can protect your health and strengthen your case. Following these steps can help preserve valuable evidence.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, injuries like concussions or internal bleeding might not appear right away. A medical evaluation documents your condition and connects it to the accident.
Document the Scene
Take photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, traffic lights, and any visible injuries. This evidence helps show what happened and who caused it.
Exchange Information and Gather Witness Statements
Collect contact and insurance information from the other driver and get statements from witnesses if possible. Their accounts often provide crucial details that support your claim.
Report the Accident to Police and Insurance
Always contact law enforcement so an official report is filed. Notify your insurance company promptly, but avoid giving detailed statements until you speak with an attorney.
Avoid Admitting Fault
Stay calm and polite, but don’t say anything that suggests blame. Even simple apologies can be misinterpreted as an admission of fault.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
A car accident attorney can handle insurance communications, gather evidence, and help you pursue compensation while you focus on recovery.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Los Angeles Intersection Accident Case?
Victims of intersection accidents often face significant financial and emotional hardship. Compensation typically covers both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic Damages
These include measurable financial losses such as medical bills, physical therapy, lost wages, and vehicle repair costs. Documentation like receipts and pay stubs helps establish these expenses.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages account for the impact on your quality of life, such as pain, anxiety, or loss of enjoyment of normal activities. While harder to quantify, these losses are an essential part of recovery.
Punitive Damages (When Applicable)
Courts may award punitive damages in rare cases involving extreme misconduct, such as a driver intentionally running a red light or driving while heavily intoxicated.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in California?
Most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. Waiting longer may result in losing the right to pursue compensation, which is why speaking with a personal injury attorney early can be critical.
Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations
Some situations extend or pause this deadline, such as when the injured person is a minor or mentally incapacitated. Consulting with an attorney helps determine if an exception applies.
Claims Against Government Entities (Six-Month Notice Requirement)
If a government agency is responsible for unsafe road conditions, you must file an administrative claim within six months of the incident. Failing to do so can bar further legal action.
How Our Attorneys at Greenberg Gross Can Help
Handling the aftermath of a serious intersection accident takes time, persistence, and legal knowledge. Our team at Greenberg Gross provides strong advocacy for injured clients across Los Angeles.
Thorough Investigation of Your Accident
We gather police reports, witness statements, and expert analysis to build a clear picture of what happened and identify all liable parties.
Proving Liability and Negligence
Our attorneys review traffic camera footage, phone records, and vehicle data to demonstrate how another party’s actions caused the crash.
Handling Insurance Companies
Insurance carriers often attempt to reduce payouts or deny claims. We negotiate firmly to hold them accountable for fair compensation.
Calculating Full Compensation
We assess both short- and long-term losses, including ongoing medical care, reduced earning capacity, and emotional harm.
Litigation Experience
When an insurer refuses to act responsibly, we’re prepared to take your case to court to seek justice on your behalf.
No Upfront Costs
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay attorney fees unless we recover funds for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About LA Car Accident Claims
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the intersection accident?
Yes. California’s comparative negligence rule allows injured individuals to recover damages even when partially at fault. The recovery amount is reduced according to your percentage of responsibility.
What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?
You may still recover damages through your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Your attorney can help file this type of claim and ensure the insurer honors its policy obligations.
How much is my intersection accident case worth?
Each case differs depending on medical costs, lost income, and the extent of injuries. The more evidence you provide, the stronger your case becomes.
Can I sue the City of Los Angeles if poor intersection design caused my accident?
Yes, if evidence shows that negligent design or maintenance contributed to the crash. However, government claims require specific procedures and short filing deadlines.
What if my accident happened in a construction zone near one of these intersections?
Construction zones create additional hazards like missing signage or unclear lanes. Liability may involve the construction company, government entity, or another driver—situations where understanding how construction workers can protect their rights becomes especially important.
Contact Our Los Angeles Car Accident Attorneys Today
Accidents at dangerous intersections in Los Angeles often leave people dealing with significant injuries, medical expenses, and disruption to their lives. The attorneys at Greenberg Gross help injured individuals hold negligent drivers and other responsible parties accountable.
Contact our team today for a free, no-obligation consultation and learn how we can help you move forward after a serious accident.
