Where Do Most Car Accidents Happen?
When you think about where car accidents happen, you know that they are not limited to specific places or times. Still, at some locations and times of day, collisions are more frequent and severe. What’s consistent in nearly every crash is the human element; accidents happen when drivers let their guards down and exercise less care than they should, especially when driving in accident-prone zones.
Where Do Car Accidents Happen Most in Birmingham?
There are places in Birmingham where you’re more likely to be involved in an accident than others. Where do most crashes happen? Here are some statistics and must-know information.
Intersections
Crashes are more frequent — and more dangerous — when vehicles cross paths from multiple directions. In fact, the Federal Highway Administration reports that around 50% of all traffic injuries nationwide occur at intersections.
In Birmingham, the following intersections see frequent crashes:
- Highway 280 and Lakeshore Drive
- University Boulevard and 11th Avenue South
- Montclair Road and Montevallo Road
At these intersections, cars approach from different directions, speeds change suddenly, and drivers have to pay attention to traffic lights, other cars, and pedestrians all at once.
Crashes Happening Near Home
You might have heard that crashes tend to happen within five miles of the driver’s home, and this is consistently true across cities. When you’re in your own neighborhood, your brain shifts to autopilot. It’s easy to let your mind wander to your dinner plans or problems at work and lose your focus on the road ahead.
Parking Lots
Parking lots and garages experience tens of thousands of minor accidents yearly. Pedestrians and distracted drivers coming together in tiny spaces creates the perfect conditions for fender benders. Birmingham shopping centers like The Summit see many preventable low-speed collisions. While these crashes don’t usually cause serious injuries, parking lots remain among the most common accident sites.
When Do Most Car Accidents Happen?
Traffic accidents tend to follow familiar patterns, happening more frequently during rush hour and on weekend evenings.
Rush Hour
Birmingham car accidents increase during morning and evening rush hour. There is a spike in crashes around 7 a.m., but the worst time for crashes is between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. During these hours, crowded roads and impatient drivers create ideal crash conditions.
Weekends
Fridays had the most crashes, while weekends recorded the lowest number of crashes. This is probably due to fewer people commuting to school and work and less chaotic schedules on weekends. However, Saturdays and Sundays posted the highest number of fatalities of any day of the week.
Which Birmingham Roads Have The Most Crashes?
Some roads in Birmingham experience more road incidents than others.
Highway 280
Highway 280, especially between The Summit and Interstate 459, is usually among Birmingham’s most crash-prone roads. The mix of high speeds, frequent lane changes, and numerous entry and exit points creates perfect conditions for accidents.
Interstate 20/59
The downtown section of I-20/59 experiences many crashes, especially during construction periods. Sudden slowdowns, merging traffic, and driver confusion all contribute to the high collision rates.
Lakeshore Parkway
This business area has gotten more dangerous as new stores and offices have opened, bringing an influx of cars — even though the roads weren’t made to handle heavy traffic.
Where Do Most Crashes Occur Based On Crash Type?
Road design and a few other factors affect what types of crashes are more common.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end crashes are most common on busy roads with frequent stopping. University Boulevard near UAB, Highway 31 through Homewood, and Highway 280 may see frequent rear-end crashes, especially during rush hour.
T-Bone Accidents
Side-impact or T-bone crashes happen most frequently at intersections. In Birmingham, unprotected left turns at busy intersections are the location of many of these potentially serious accidents.
Sideswipe Collisions
Sideswipe collisions tend to occur on multilane roads with heavy traffic. I-459 and Highway 280 see high numbers of sideswipe collisions, typically during lane changes when drivers fail to check their blind spots.
What Makes Some Areas More Dangerous Than Others?
Physical location is not the only factor that leads to increased accidents. The following factors play into whether or not an area is considered dangerous.
Construction Zones
Work zones create confusion, lane shifts, and sudden slowdowns. Birmingham’s ongoing road projects, particularly on the interstates and Highway 280, create temporary high-risk areas where drivers must adjust to changing conditions.
Weather
In the U.S., about 21% of all car crashes happen because of bad weather or slippery roads. Alabama’s heavy rain and occasional ice create hazardous driving conditions. The hilly terrain in Birmingham makes these risks worse, especially on roads like Montclair Road and Rocky Ridge Road.
Special Events
Areas around major venues like Protective Stadium, Legacy Arena, and Regions Field see traffic disruptions and higher crash rates during events, especially as unfamiliar drivers navigate the streets of downtown Birmingham.
How Can You Avoid Accidents In High-Risk Locations?
Besides knowing where most collisions occur, drivers should also know how to avoid them.
Employ Safe Driving Techniques
Maintain a greater following distance in high-risk areas. On Highway 280 or I-20/59, try to keep at least a three-second cushion between you and the vehicle ahead.
Apply Route Planning
Sometimes the fastest route isn’t the safest. Consider alternative routes that avoid Birmingham’s most dangerous intersections and corridors, especially during peak crash hours.
Reduce Distractions
Put your phone away and keep your focus on the road, especially when approaching intersections or other high-risk areas. Distracted driving accidents often occur in the locations where you need maximum attention.
What Should You Do if You’re in an Accident?
If you do experience a crash in one of Birmingham’s high-risk areas:
- Move to safety if possible
- Check for injuries and call 911 if needed
- Document the scene with photos
- Exchange information with other drivers
- Report the accident to police and your insurance company
Birmingham police have specific procedures for handling accidents at known trouble spots.
What We Learn From Birmingham’s Crash Patterns
It is possible to reduce the frequency of road accidents, but drivers need to invest in learning where these accidents happen and what factors make such places more prone to vehicle crashes. In Birmingham, the data shows that intersections and highways report higher numbers of road incidents; therefore, drivers should be more careful when driving in these locations.
Contact the Alabama Car Accident Attorneys at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers.
Contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We serve Shelby County, Madison County, Montgomery County in Alabama, and its surrounding areas.
We are located in Birmingham, Huntsville & Montgomery.
Belt, Bruner & Barnett Personal Injury Lawyers – Birmingham Office
880 Montclair Road, Ste 300,
Birmingham, AL 35213
(205) 973-6417
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116 Jefferson St. Suite 207
Hunstville, AL, 35801
(256) 781-9242
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7 Clayton St, Suite 200,
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 518-6098
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