The growing population in Wilmington has meant increased traffic on the road. Now, the city possesses some of the most dangerous intersections in North Carolina.
Drivers, on average, will suffer more serious injuries in an intersection accident. However, proving liability is not a certainty because each driver may blame the other for the crash. If you have been injured in an intersection accident in Wilmington, the car accident attorneys at Horton & Mendez can help you fight for the financial compensation that you deserve.
The Eight Most Dangerous Intersections in Wilmington Ranked by Number of Accidents
Judged by the number of crashes, the most hazardous intersection in the Wilmington area is College Road and New Center Drive. There were 171 crashes here between 2018–2021, and T-bone accidents were the most common type of collision.
In general, College Road turns up on lists of the most dangerous intersections in several news articles due to the high volume of traffic on the road.
Here are some other dangerous intersections in Wilmington:
- Kerr Avenue and Market Street
- College Road and Oleander Drive
- Market Street and New Center Drive
- College Road and Martin Luther King Parkway
- College Road and Randall
- College Road and Gordon Road
- Ginger Road and Market Street
Each of these intersections sees traffic volumes of 50,000-70,000 vehicles per day. Local authorities in Wilmington are in the process of making traffic changes on Market Street that should alleviate some of the dangers.
The increase in the number of accidents at these intersections is far outpacing the growth in Wilmington’s population. There is no relief to safety hazards at these intersections absent major investments and changes.
Common Types of Intersection Car Accidents
Intersection crashes are among the most dangerous types of car accidents. T-bone accidents are the most common form of intersection accidents. T-bone crashes will occur when one driver fails to yield the right-of-way when they are required to do so by law. For one car, the crash is akin to a head-on accident. The other car is hit on their broadside. If the impact occurs on the driver’s side, the motorist can be seriously injured. The same goes for a passenger if the impact occurs on the passenger’s side.
The second most common type of intersection crash is a rear-end accident. In this situation, a driver either does not see a car in front of them or they are not able to slow down in time. Rear-end crashes are dangerous because the front car driver could suffer whiplash from the force that is unleashed in the accident. The driver of the rear car is usually the one presumed to be at fault for the accident unless they can prove that the front car driver stopped suddenly in front of them.
Angle crashes are also a common type of intersection accident seen in Wilmington crash reports. In this scenario, one car hits another at an angle, usually between 90 degrees and 180 degrees. In other words, an angle crash is somewhere between a T-bone crash and a rear-end car accident.
Causes of Intersection Car Accidents
Your car accident attorney can investigate your accident and help you determine the cause of your crash. They will gather evidence to help prove your case to the insurance company or a jury.
An at-fault driver may have been:
- Speeding
- Driving distracted
- Misjudging the speed of an oncoming vehicle
- Driving recklessly
- Running a red light or stop sign
How State and Local Government Can Improve Intersection Safety
While much of the blame for an intersection accident rests with the individual driver who was responsible for it, local authorities can also make investments that can help improve traffic safety in the Wilmington area.
One of the major problems with four-way intersections is that drivers can approach the intersection from all directions.
One potential solution that has been vetted in local studies is a reduced conflict intersection. This solution keeps cars from approaching the intersection in four different directions. There is a median in the middle of the intersection that reduces the number of directions that cars approach to two. In other words, a reduced conflict intersection takes a four-ways intersection and makes it into two two-way intersections.
Other solutions can reduce some of the instances of intersection crashes, including:
- Increased use of red light cameras: these cameras are currently legal in Wilmington pursuant to recent legislation. Red light cameras reduce instances of red light running by approximately 20%
- Roundabouts at major intersections: roundabouts can reduce the severity of crashes. Instead of a T-bone crash, a roundabout accident would more likely be a sideswipe crash
- More stop lights: putting stop lights at more intersections could provide more order to traffic and reduce the number of intersection crashes.
- Turning roads into a “superstreet”: This limits a driver’s ability to make a left turn.
Of course, investments in traffic safety require money that a state or municipal government may not have. One of the primary sources of road funding throughout the state is the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), but there is heavy competition for funding from this source. North Carolina has additional roadway funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Alternatively, Wilmington could use revenues from traffic camera tickets to invest in road safety.
However, most safety projects remain unfunded, even though they can prevent injuries and save lives. For example, local officials want to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Dallie Futch and Island Creek roads. At present, there is simply no funding for this project.
Contact a Wilmington Intersection Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one have been injured in an intersection car accident, you need immediate legal representation. The attorneys at Horton & Mendez can get to work on your case right away. Your first step, which you should take right after your accident, is to reach out to schedule your free initial consultation. You can send us a message online, or you can call us today at (910) 668-8067.
