The 10 Most Dangerous Intersections in Connecticut: A Driver’s Guide to Staying Safe

The great state of Connecticut sees its share of traffic accidents, and this includes intersection accidents, which are some of the most dangerous accidents out there. Intersections are the spots where traffic converges from all different directions and continues to travel in all different directions at all different speeds, including those vehicles that are slowing down and preparing to stop and those vehicles that are picking up speed.

Intersections, in other words, are breeding grounds for dangerous accidents. Some intersections, however, are more dangerous than others, and knowing which Connecticut intersections to bypass or be more attentive to can help you stay safe out there. If you’ve been injured by another driver’s negligence in an intersection accident, you need the professional legal counsel of an experienced Connecticut personal injury lawyer.

Connecticut’s Most Dangerous Intersections: Driver Beware

Intersections seem to invite accidents, but knowing the ten most dangerous intersections (which includes on-ramp and off-ramp access) in Connecticut can help you avoid becoming an accident statistic:

1. Merritt Parkway Mile Marker 46.42-47.03 in New Haven, Connecticut

Top billing goes to this Merritt Parkway intersection, which hosted 561 total crashes that included 125 injury-causing accidents. Fortunately, none of these 561 crashes resulted in fatalities. The Connecticut Department of Transportation has identified this stretch as a priority area for safety improvements.

2. Route 17 Mile Marker 21.55-22.14 in Middletown, Connecticut

This Route 17 intersection saw 372 total crashes, including 107 accidents that caused injury. Again, this dangerous intersection fortunately did not lead to any fatal accidents.

3. Route 44 Mile Marker 53.63 (Route 44 & Main Street) in Hartford, Connecticut

Connecticut’s third most dangerous intersection is right here in Hartford, and its accident-experience rate is 129 crashes with 38 of which caused injury. Thankfully, there were no deaths involved.

4. Route 5 Mile Marker 9.35-9.36 in Wallingford, Connecticut

This Route 5 intersection made fourth billing by being the site of 51 total intersection accidents (22 caused injury). Again, this Wallingford intersection was able to avoid any fatal accidents.

5. Route 69 Mile Marker 18.39-18.49 in Waterbury, Connecticut

Though this Route 69 intersection saw fewer overall accidents than the Wallingford intersection above, it is weighted by the fact that far fewer of those accidents caused injury: 55 accidents overall, 14 injury-causing accidents, and 0 fatalities.

6. Route 127 Mile Marker .64 (Route 127 & Barnum Avenue) in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Route 127 was home to 31 total crashes and 12 of those led to injuries. Thankfully, there were no fatal accidents.

7. Route 127 Mile Marker 1.02 (Route 127 & Stillman Street) in Bridgeport, Connecticut

Bridgeport and Route 127 once again make the cut. This intersection saw 18 crashes overall, and 11 of these 18 accidents caused injury. In keeping with the previous six statistics, this intersection also avoided fatal crashes.

8. Route 83 Mile Marker 11.80-11.89 (Route 83 & Route 30) in South Windsor, Connecticut

This stretch of Route 83 was the location of 25 total crashes, and 7 of them caused injury. Fortunately, there were no deaths involved.

9. Route 287 Mile Marker 1.58 (near Route 287 & Merritt Parkway) in Wethersfield, Connecticut

With 22 total intersection accidents with 6 of which caused injury, this intersection in Wethersfield makes it into spot nine. In continuance of a streak of fortuitousness, there were no traffic fatalities at this location.

10. Route 8 Mile Marker 18.58-18.81 in Seymour, Connecticut

This stretch of Route 8 in Seymour makes it to the final Top-Ten spot. It is the location of 11 intersection crashes with five of which led to injuries.

We end this list on the happy note that none of the ten most dangerous intersections in Connecticut led to fatal crashes (within the parameters of the noted study).

Intersection Accidents: The National Statistics

The fact is that intersections are dangerous, and national statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) back this up:

• Although intersections account for only a small percentage of our total roadways, they see far more than their share of accidents
• The primary cause of intersection accidents is drivers who fail to pay adequate attention to the traffic that is converging all around them
• The second leading cause of intersection crashes is drivers who blindly trust other drivers to do what they are meant to do (unfortunately these other drivers have minds of their own and often steer off course)
• The third-most leading cause of accidents in intersections is drivers who make turns in spite of obstructed views
• Engaging in illegal driving maneuvers and driving while distracted are awarded fourth and fifth place respectively in the dangerous intersection-driving countdown

According to the Federal Highway Administration, intersection crashes account for approximately 40% of all traffic accidents nationwide. While driving safely should always be your guide, keep in mind that intersections demand extra care.

Most Common Types of Intersection Accidents

Intersection accidents are dangerous accidents that result in serious injuries. There are, however, two instances that are most likely to cause serious injuries:

Side-Impact Accidents (T-Bone Crashes)

Side-impact accidents are common to intersections exactly because intersections represent the spot where traffic traveling in all different directions converges. As such, T-bone accidents (or side-impact accidents) happen frequently. Because the side of your car is less well protected than the front or the back, serious injuries are likely to ensue. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that side-impact crashes are among the deadliest types of accidents.

Rear-End Accidents

Rear-end accidents in which one vehicle hits another from behind are part and parcel to intersection traffic. Drivers entering and exiting intersections are often attempting to cheat time, which means they’re interested in beating yellow lights and jumping green lights, both of which can easily spell disaster.

Safety Tips for Navigating Connecticut’s Dangerous Intersections

The Connecticut State Police recommend these safety practices when approaching any intersection:

• Slow down as you approach intersections, even when you have the right of way
• Look both ways before proceeding through green lights
• Avoid distractions like cell phones when navigating intersections
• Maintain proper following distance to avoid rear-end collisions
• Use turn signals well in advance of making turns

What to Do After an Intersection Accident in Connecticut

If you’ve been involved in an intersection accident in Connecticut, the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles requires that you:

1. Stop at the scene and check for injuries
2. Call 911 if anyone is injured or if there’s significant property damage
3. Exchange insurance and contact information with other drivers
4. Document the scene with photos if it’s safe to do so
5. File an accident report within 5 days if damage exceeds $1,000

When You Need Legal Help

If another driver’s negligence leaves you injured in an intersection accident, you need experienced legal counsel. Understanding Connecticut’s comparative negligence laws can be complex, and insurance companies often try to minimize payouts.

Intersections demand every driver’s complete attention. After all, intersections represent that small section of roadway where drivers with very different intentions converge upon one another. Connecticut has its own Top Ten when it comes to intersection accidents, but if you’ve been injured by someone else’s negligence in an intersection accident, you need experienced legal counsel.

The dedicated personal injury attorneys at Leighton, Katz & Drapeau have the experience, skill, and knowledge to aggressively advocate for your claim’s most positive resolution. Our legal team has been serving Connecticut proudly for nearly thirty years, and we’re here for you. For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact or call us at (860) 875-7000 today.