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Spanish According to federal safety data, intersections are involved in nearly one-quarter of all traffic fatalities in the United States and close to half of all injury crashes. At KJT Law Group, we know what lies behind these numbers: people who were suddenly hurt and left facing difficult physical and health challenges. Our Los Angeles car accident lawyers are ready to provide clarity, guidance, and support to Californians who need help understanding their rights and next steps.
Top 10 Most Dangerous Intersections of California
The methodology does not account for population, traffic volume, enforcement presence, or engineering controls because statewide standardized exposure data are unavailable.
California Intersection Danger Index (CIDI)
This 2026 California Intersection Danger Index is an original analysis by KJT Law Group based on raw crash data from the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Official statewide 2026 summary reports had not yet been published at the time of this analysis.
For each intersection, the following metrics were calculated:
- Crash count: The total number of reported crashes at the intersection in 2025.
- Injuries: The total number of individuals reported injured.
- Fatalities: The total number of individuals related to fatal accidents.
- Danger score: A weighted score based on the natural logarithm of crash volume.
- Formula = ln (Crash Count+1)×10
- Total danger score: The combined score of all crashes at the same intersection, reflecting both how often crashes occur and how serious they are.
- Formula = Danger Score + Injuries + Fatalities
- CIDI (California Intersection Danger Index): A normalized 0–100 index that allows fair comparison between intersections statewide.
- Formula =× 100Total Danger Scoremax(Total Danger Score)
This table provides a data-driven snapshot of where the most severe intersection-related incidents occur, helping highlight areas where drivers should exercise heightened caution and where local agencies may prioritize roadway safety improvements:
| Intersection | Crash Count | Injuries | Fatalities | Danger Score | California Intersection Danger Index (CIDI) |
| i-405 s/b (San Diego Fwy)/Burbank Blvd | 4096 | 38 | 0 | 83.18010278 | 85.17610919 |
| i-880 s/b/Stevenson Blvd | 4489 | 37 | 0 | 84.09607981 | 86.11406619 |
| i-10 w/b (San Bernardino Fwy)/Baldwin Park Blvd | 8100 | 43 | 0 | 89.9974279 | 92.15702422 |
| i-405 n/b/Seal Beach Blvd | 6241 | 30 | 0 | 87.39055923 | 89.4876006 |
| i-15 s/b/sr-138 | 3969 | 40 | 0 | 82.86521374 | 84.85366401 |
| sr-237 w/b/Mathilda Ave | 3364 | 26 | 0 | 81.21183242 | 83.16060783 |
| i-105 w/b (Glenn Anderson Fwy)/Long Beach Blvd. | 3969 | 28 | 0 | 82.86521374 | 84.85366401 |
| i-80 w/b/Ashby Ave | 3364 | 9 | 0 | 81.21183242 | 83.16060783 |
| i-80 w/b/Powell St | 7056 | 18 | 1 | 88.61775311 | 90.74424248 |
| sr-60 w/b (Pomona Fwy)/Grand Ave | 13924 | 44 | 0 | 95.41441065 | 97.70399397 |
Intersections on this list call for more patience and awareness. Small choices like slowing down, looking twice, and giving others space really matter. For those hurt in an intersection crash, KJT Law Group is here to help you understand your options and what to do next.
California’s Top 10 Cities with the Most Dangerous Intersections
California’s largest cities account for the overwhelming majority of reported crashes. Urban areas with dense traffic, complex intersections, and high commuter volume show the highest collision totals. The list below highlights the ten cities with the most recorded crashes statewide:
- Los Angeles: 23,727 crashes
- San Diego: 7,153 crashes
- Sacramento: 5,847 crashes
- San Francisco: 5,002 crashes
- San Jose: 4,995 crashes
- Riverside: 4,889 crashes
- Anaheim: 4,167 crashes
- Oakland: 4,136 crashes
- Santa Ana: 3,744 crashes
- Stockton: 3,180 crashes
These numbers reflect where roadway risks concentrate most heavily across the state. If someone is injured in a city with high crash volume, our California car accident lawyers can help them understand their options and pursue the support they need.
Shared Design Features of California’s Most Dangerous Intersections
Many intersections that repeatedly appear in statewide crash data share specific roadway characteristics. These features increase the number of conflict points and reduce reaction time.
- Wide multi-lane corridors: Create longer crossing distances and more complex turning movements.
- Unprotected or complex left turns: Increase collision frequency during peak traffic.
- High-speed transitions near freeway ramps: Lead to abrupt braking and sudden lane changes.
- Limited visibility: Parked vehicles, vegetation, or signage reduce sight distance.
- Long signal cycles: Can lead to rushed decisions or late entries into the intersection.
- Dense pedestrian and cyclist activity: Adds complexity during turning movements.
Understanding these shared characteristics helps explain why certain locations repeatedly appear in statewide collision data. It also underscores the role of roadway design in shaping travel behavior and crash outcomes.
How California Law Addresses Intersection Collisions
California’s traffic laws create clear expectations for anyone entering an intersection. The rules below summarize the legal standards most often connected to intersection crashes.
Driver Duties at Intersections
- Drivers must obey all traffic signals, stop signs, and lane controls.
- The basic speed rule requires driving at a speed that is safe for conditions.
- Right-of-way laws determine when drivers must yield during turns or when pedestrians and cyclists are present.
- Investigators use evidence such as the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) records, signal timing data, video footage, and witness statements to determine whether a driver exercised reasonable care.
When Public Agencies May Share Responsibility
- Cities and counties can be liable if unsafe roadway design contributed to the crash.
- Common issues include blocked visibility, improper signal timing, missing or damaged signs, and faded pavement markings.
- Claims involving government entities require a special process under the California Tort Claims Act and must be filed within six months.
Detailed Crash Causes in California’s Most Dangerous Intersections
Design influences risk, but driver behavior and environmental conditions determine how crashes occur. Statewide data shows that most intersection collisions stem from a small set of recurring causes.
- Unsafe speeds: Reduce stopping distance and increase crash severity.
- Failure to yield: Common during left turns or when entering crosswalks.
- Signal violations: Often linked to distraction or misjudged timing.
- Following too closely: Causes rear-end crashes in sudden slowdowns.
- Low-visibility conditions: Fog, glare, rain, or darkness reduce awareness.
- Multimodal conflicts: Increased interaction with cyclists and pedestrians adds risk.
Understanding these core causes helps clarify why certain intersections repeatedly appear in statewide injury records. It also reinforces the importance of visibility, protected turns, and speed management in reducing the severity of these incidents.
Common Crash Types Seen in High-Risk California Intersections
In addition to primary causes, California’s most dangerous intersections share several recurring collision types. These categories, commonly referenced in SWITRS and TIMS data, help explain how and why crashes occur.
- Broadside collisions: Often the result of signal violations or misjudged left turns. These are among the most severe types of intersection crashes because the impact occurs on the side of a vehicle where structural protection is limited.
- Rear-end collisions: Common in congested areas, especially where drivers stop unexpectedly for pedestrians, cyclists, or red-light cameras. Sudden lane changes or distracted driving often contribute to these crashes.
- Head-on collisions: Less frequent but more severe. These usually occur when drivers turn into the wrong lane or misjudge a gap in traffic during left turns.
- Pedestrian collisions: Frequently recorded in dense areas with high foot traffic. These crashes often happen during turning movements or when drivers accelerate through the intersection without scanning the crosswalk.
- Multi-vehicle chain collisions: These occur in busy corridors where fast-changing signals and multiple travel lanes increase the likelihood of secondary collisions after the initial impact.
Each collision type reflects a different combination of roadway design and human behavior. Together, they help illustrate why intersection safety is a central focus in statewide Vision Zero programs.
Need Help After an Intersection Accident in California?
If you or someone you care about was injured at a dangerous intersection in California, KJT Law Group can help you understand your options and protect your rights. Contact us today for guidance and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if the intersection where my crash occurred is considered high-risk?
You can check CHP SWITRS and TIMS reports to see whether your intersection appears in recurring injury or pedestrian-related crash clusters. Many major cities also publish High Injury Network maps that highlight intersections with a history of past incidents.
What should I document after an intersection crash in California?
Take clear photos of the intersection layout, signal positions, lane markings, debris fields, and any visual obstructions. If possible, note the timing of the lights, the presence of crosswalk users, and whether nearby cameras may have captured the incident.
Why are left-turn crashes so common at California intersections?
Left-turn crashes often occur when drivers misjudge the speed of oncoming traffic or struggle with limited visibility due to parked vehicles or landscaping. Intersections with permissive left turns also create more conflict because there is no dedicated protected phase.
What kind of evidence helps determine who is at fault in an intersection crash?
Evidence may include signal timing records, surveillance or traffic camera footage, witness statements, vehicle damage patterns, and skid distance analysis. In some cases, engineers may review whether the roadway design contributed to the collision.
Does California track intersection crashes involving rideshare vehicles?
Rideshare collisions are included in SWITRS records, but they are not always labeled separately. However, the data still shows higher risk in locations with dense pickup and drop-off activity, especially near nightlife districts, transit hubs, and event venues.