What Are the Most Dangerous Intersections in Los Angeles?
Almost anyone who’s ever sat behind the wheel in Los Angeles knows it: drivers in the City of Angels face some of the worst intersections in California. Between massive roadways with multiple lanes, heavy traffic, obstructive foliage, and crowds of pedestrians, a simple trip to the supermarket can quickly turn nerve-racking—or life-ending.
In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the most dangerous intersections in Los Angeles. We’ll also discuss what factors contribute to these deadly areas and offer tips for protecting yourself after a car accident.
What Makes the Most Dangerous Intersections in California?
Intersections are among the most fundamental parts of the modern roadway but also the most dangerous. The Federal Highway Administration estimates that around 25% of the deaths and 50% of the injuries that happen on U.S. roads every year take place at intersections.
So, why are intersections so dangerous? For one, they’re places that bring different types of road users together: not just drivers but bikers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and even scooter riders. Maintaining clear communication—who goes where and when—between so many vehicles of different sizes is challenging, no matter how fast you’re going.
This brings us to the following risk factor: navigating an intersection demands a lot of focus. For drivers, coming to an intersection means paying attention to several things at once, including:
- Who has the right of way,
- Information from traffic lights and signs,
- Pedestrians entering the crosswalk,
- How fast oncoming traffic is coming,
- Left-turning vehicles, and
- Cyclists around them or in the bike lane.
Even in ideal road conditions, making snap decisions based on all this information can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, the conditions on the roads today are rarely perfect. When drivers are careless or take outright risks, the built-in dangers of intersections become all the more threatening. Some specific behaviors that add to the risk of a collision include:
- Speeding,
- Distracted driving,
- Illegal turns,
- Aggressive driving,
- Ignoring obstructed views, and
- Underestimating speed or space.
These behaviors can have dangerous consequences wherever they occur on the road. However, driver error in an intersection increases the risk of side-impact collisions (e.g., “T-bone collisions”) between vehicles crossing at a right angle. These collisions can be especially deadly since a vehicle’s sides usually have fewer passenger crash protections.
What Are the Most Dangerous Intersections in Los Angeles?
To answer this question, we analyzed traffic collision data compiled by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) from 2010 to the present.
According to LAPD records, 14,916 traffic collisions took place on the streets of Los Angeles in the year 2023. Here is a breakdown of where these crashes occurred, grouped according to the LAPD’s neighborhood divisions.
| Area | Number of Collisions | Area | Number of Collisions |
| 77th Street | 1,203 | West LA | 681 |
| Newton | 1,019 | Foothill | 677 |
| Southwest | 884 | Van Nuys | 661 |
| Southeast | 878 | Pacific | 650 |
| Central | 876 | Rampart | 649 |
| Olympic | 746 | Hollywood | 623 |
| Wilshire | 741 | Northeast | 615 |
| West Valley | 732 | Hollenbeck | 598 |
| Devonshire | 719 | Harbor | 567 |
| Mission | 708 | Topanga | 509 |
| North Hollywood | 689 |
In 2023, adjacent south-central neighborhoods 77th Street and Newton led the rest of the divisions in total road collisions. Meanwhile, the Topanga division, located far northwest in the Santa Monica Mountains, won the title for the lowest number of crashes in the year.
As part of their traffic database, the LAPD also tracks which streets and intersections where these collisions occur. By analyzing the crash data to search for cross-street incidents, we isolated the intersections that saw the most collisions in 2023.
Here are the top 5 intersections with the most dangerous crashes across Los Angeles in 2023.
1. La Brea Avenue and Obama Boulevard: 18 collisions
The most collision-prone intersection of 2023 is in the south-central division of Los Angeles, known as Southwest. Southwest had the third-most crashes out of the LA divisions, behind 77th Street and Newton.
2. Roscoe Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard: 17 collisions
The intersection of major roadways Roscoe and Sepulveda, located in the Mission division, comes in second. With 17 collisions in 2023, this spot rivals La Brea and Obama for crash hazards.
3. Crenshaw Boulevard and West Pico Boulevard: 14 collisions
Next, we move back to central Los Angeles to Wilshire, where Crenshaw and W Pico saw 14 crashes in the past year.
4. Parthenia Street and Sepulveda Boulevard: 13 collisions
The Mission division earns another unfortunate spot in the rankings, this time with a juncture at Parthenia and Sepulveda.
5. Four-way tie: 12 collisions
There was a tie for the fifth most-crash-prone intersection, split between:
- Balboa Boulevard and Roscoe Boulevard,
- Imperial Highway and Main Street,
- West Vernon Avenue and South Western Avenue, and
- Lindley Avenue and Roscoe Boulevard.
Interestingly, the intersection between West Vernon Avenue and South Western Avenue was the only one located in the 77th Street division, which otherwise dominated in terms of collisions in 2023.
What to Do After a Car Accident at an Intersection
Whether or not your daily commute involves some of the most dangerous intersections in California, there are certain things all drivers should know in case of a collision. Here are some essential steps to take if you’re involved in a car accident:
- Get everyone to safety and call 911. Ensure you and your passengers are safe, and help get any injured people out of the roadway. Call the police, even if someone else says they already did.
- Exchange information. Get the contact and insurance information of any other cars involved. Note the vehicle’s make, model, color, and license plate number. If there are any witnesses, get their contact information, too.
- Avoid admitting fault. Fight the impulse to apologize or say “it’s nothing” to another driver or the police. Even simple statements like this can be used by insurance adjusters to assign you blame for the crash and the financial penalties that come with it.
- Document the scene. Take photos of the crash site, vehicles, property damage, and injuries. If another driver appears intoxicated or admits they were distracted, make a note. This information can be essential for resolving insurance claims.
- See a doctor. Even minor crashes can cause significant, life-altering harm. Plus, many serious conditions—e.g., whiplash and concussions—may not have immediate symptoms. It’s important to have a thorough examination by a medical professional to assess your injuries accurately.
- Report the crash to the DMV. You’re legally required to report a collision to the state DMV within 10 days if it causes someone’s death, injury (no matter how minor), or more than $1,000 of property damage. This is California’s way of ensuring drivers meet the state’s legal insurance requirements.
If anyone is injured, contacting a personal injury lawyer after an accident is also a good idea. While you might think you’re not at fault, another driver might disagree.
Under California law, negligent drivers can be held legally responsible for the damages they cause on the road. If there’s a dispute over the cause of the crash or another driver lacks insurance to pay for damages, it’s essential to have the support of a legal professional behind you.
Starpoint Law: Experienced Legal Support for Californians
At Starpoint Law, we’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact that traffic collisions can have on crash victims and their families. Nothing can undo the damage of a car accident. However, with the help of an attorney, victims and families may be able to get financial support for the economic impact of a crash.
Our lawyers have years of experience helping Angelenos navigate vehicle insurance claims and liability disputes. Contact our office today to learn how we can help you.
Where You Can Find Our Sherman Oaks Office
Starpoint Injury Law Staff
Starpoint Law was founded on a number of core principles that allow us to help our clients and develop deep and meaningful relationships. If you have suffered injuries or facing an issue with your employer, reach out to our legal team and we can sit down for a free consultation and start the process immediately.
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