Hampton Roads continues to face challenges in traffic safety. In 2024 alone, the region reported 160 fatalities and nearly 10,000 injuries due to car crashes, with a significant number occurring at high-risk intersections. These intersections, characterized by heavy traffic volumes, complex lane configurations, and frequent driver errors, have been identified as the 10 most dangerous in the Hampton Roads area. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, it is critical to consult with a Virginia Beach car accident lawyer from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to determine what legal recourse you may have for the injuries and losses you have suffered.
1. Mercury Boulevard & Power Plant Parkway (Hampton)
This intersection has been consistently identified as one of the most hazardous in the Hampton Roads area. Between 2017 and 2021, it experienced 267 crashes, including 17 fatalities. The high volume of traffic and complex lane configurations contribute to its danger.
2. Mercury Boulevard & Coliseum Drive (Hampton)
Another perilous intersection in Hampton, this junction saw 266 accidents over the same period, with 17 resulting in fatalities. The combination of shopping centers and heavy traffic flow makes this area particularly hazardous.
3. I-264 & Independence Boulevard (Virginia Beach)
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reports that the most dangerous crash area in Hampton Roads is located on I-264 at Independence Boulevard. Known for its high number of vehicle accidents, this area averages about 100 crashes each year, many of them resulting in serious injuries.
4. Copeland & Manning Road Intersection (Suffolk)
According to the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO), the Copeland and Manning Road intersection, located in Suffolk, has the second-highest crash rate resulting in fatal and severe injuries.
5. I-264 & Witchduck Road (Virginia Beach)
High-speed traffic, combined with merging lanes, makes this area one of the most dangerous intersections in Hampton Roads. The area averages approximately 75 crashes each year.
6. Indian River Road & Kempsville Road (Virginia Beach)
In Virginia Beach, this intersection was the most hazardous in 2021, with 49 reported auto accidents. The complex traffic patterns and high vehicle volumes contribute to its danger.
7. Dominion Boulevard & Great Bridge Boulevard (Chesapeake)
High traffic volume, commercial locations, and complex lane configurations at this intersection all add up to frequent – and often severe – accidents.
8. Military Highway, Northampton Boulevard, & Princess Anne Road (Norfolk)
This Norfolk intersection sees a high number of accidents due to its complex layout and heavy traffic. The convergence of multiple roads increases the likelihood of collisions.
9. Greenbrier Parkway & Volvo Parkway (Chesapeake)
Known for its high traffic volume, the intersection’s design often leads to driver confusion and multiple accidents. Combined with the high number of businesses and shopping centers, the number of crashes spikes during peak travel hours.
10. Battlefield Boulevard & Cedar Road (Chesapeake)
This intersection in Chesapeake is known for its high volume of traffic, as it accommodates a mix of local and through traffic. The complexity is heightened by the variety of vehicles, including large trucks and commercial traffic, which frequent this area. The frequent stopping and starting, along with complex turning patterns, increase the likelihood of accidents.
Pedestrian Accidents and Intersections
It’s not just motorists who are at risk of injury and death at these dangerous intersections. Pedestrians are also at high risk. Pedestrian accidents can result in life-altering injuries and significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges for victims. When a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle, the consequences can be severe due to the stark size and speed differences between a person on foot and a moving vehicle.
Our Virginia Beach personal injury law firm commissioned a study several years ago that identified The Most Dangerous Areas for Pedestrians in Virginia.
Victims of pedestrian accidents can file personal injury lawsuits against the at-fault parties, typically the drivers of the motor vehicles involved in the accident. To succeed in a personal injury claim, the injured pedestrian or their legal representative must prove that the driver’s negligence or wrongful actions were responsible for the accident and resulting injuries.
In tragic cases where a pedestrian accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death lawsuits against the responsible party. These lawsuits seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages resulting from the loss of a loved one.
In cases where the at-fault driver is uninsured or lacks sufficient insurance to cover the pedestrian’s injuries and damages, the injured pedestrian may turn to their own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage for compensation.
Call Our Virginia Beach Personal Injury Law Firm Today
Car and pedestrian accident cases can be complex, involving multiple legal considerations, insurance policies, and liability issues. Consulting with an experienced Virginia Beach personal injury attorney is highly advisable. An attorney can:
- Assess the strength of your case.
- Identify liable parties and potential sources of compensation.
- Gather evidence and build a strong legal strategy.
- Navigate the legal process, including negotiations with insurance companies or litigation if necessary.
- Advocate for your rights and seek fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to schedule a free case evaluation and find out what legal options you may have. We are highly experienced in accident cases and have the resources needed to gather all the evidence required to create a strong argument in your favor.
We can also negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf, as we did for one client who was driving to his job when a medical van T-boned him at an intersection. Our client suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result and had to undergo extensive rehabilitation. Our attorneys found evidence that the van driver was distracted at the time of the crash and, through arbitration, helped our client obtain $340,000 in damages.
For your convenience, we have offices in Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Hampton, Norfolk, and Chesapeake.
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Rick Shapiro has practiced personal injury law for over 30 years in Virginia, North Carolina, and throughout the Southeastern United States. He is a Board-Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (ABA Accredited) and has litigated injury cases throughout the eastern United States, including wrongful death, trucking, faulty products, railroad, and medical negligence claims. During his three-decade career, Shapiro has won client appeals before the VA Supreme Court, VA Court of Appeals, NC Supreme Court, SC Supreme Court, WV Supreme Court, TN Supreme Court, and three times before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, underscoring Shapiro’s trial achievements. In addition, he and his law firm have won settlements/verdicts in excess of $100 million. His success in and out of the courtroom is a big reason why he was named 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” in railroad law in U.S. News & World Report's Best Lawyers publication (Norfolk, VA area), and he has been named a “Best Lawyer” and “Super Lawyer” by those peer-reviewed organizations for multiple years. Rick was also named a “Leader in the Law, Class of 2022” by Virginia Lawyers Weekly (total of 33 statewide honorees consisting of lawyers and judges across Virginia). And in September 2023, Rick was selected as a recipient of the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) 2023 President’s Award. Although many nominations were submitted from across the country, Rick was just one of eight attorneys chosen by the prestigious National Board which certifies civil trial attorneys across the U.S. Rick was also recently named to Virginia Lawyers Weekly 2024 Virginia’s Go To Lawyers Medical Malpractice. The attorneys awarded this honor are nominated by their colleagues and chosen by a panel from the publication.
