Over 3 million people live in the Tampa metropolitan area, with about 387,000 living in the city of Tampa. With this large population comes a lot of traffic congestion and car accidents.
Tampa has a reputation for its dangerous roads. Various surveys have named Tampa one of the most dangerous cities for drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Although Tampa has fewer accidents than larger cities, its accident rates are based on its population size compared to rival cities like Memphis, New York, and Miami.
Here are some of the most dangerous roads and intersections in Tampa, FL, and what you can do to recover compensation for a car accident in Tampa.
How Winters & Yonker, P.A. Can Help After an Accident in Tampa
Winters & Yonker, P.A., known as “The Aggressive Attorneys,” have been helping accident victims in Tampa for over 20 years. During this time, this trusted personal injury law firm has recovered millions of dollars in injury compensation for its clients.
The firm’s Tampa car accident attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience.
Our lawyers can help you by:
- Helping you understand your options after the accident
- Investigating your car accident and identifying liable parties
- Calculating your damages and losses
- Consulting with experts to strengthen your claim, if necessary
- Communicating and negotiating with insurance companies
- Representing you in court
A serious injury can leave you with mountains of bills and no way to pay them. Contact Winters & Yonker for a free consultation to discuss the compensation you can seek for your injuries.
How Common Are Accidents on the Most Dangerous Roads/Intersections in Tampa, FL?
Traffic accidents often happen in Tampa. According to the state’s Traffic Safety Dashboard, Tampa police responded to 16,991 traffic accidents in 2021. In addition, the Florida Highway Patrol responded to 10,570 car accidents on the highways running through the city.
According to statistics, the Tampa metropolitan area saw over 27,500 traffic accidents in 2021. Of these, 637 involved pedestrians and bicyclists, and 236 involved a motorcycle.
These numbers are shockingly high. According to Quote Wizard, an online insurance broker, Tampa had the 11th worst car accident rate among US cities. Tampa’s accident rate is worse than cities like New York and San Francisco.
But the bad news does not end there. Safer America ranked Tampa as the most dangerous large city for motorcyclists, with over 44 motorcycle accidents annually per 100,000 residents. Metromile, an insurer, listed Tampa as the third worst city for bike safety, with 11 cyclist deaths per million residents.
Smart Growth America named the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater metropolitan area is fourth on its list of most dangerous cities for pedestrians after Memphis, Albuquerque, and Daytona Beach. According to Smart Growth America, Tampa averages 3.55 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents every year.
Overview of the Most Dangerous Roads/Intersections in Tampa, FL
Traffic accidents in Tampa tend to cluster on specific roads and intersections. This happens for a few reasons, including:
- Poor or confusing road design
- Speed limits that are too high
- Traffic congestion
But these problems only create the conditions for an accident. Over 94% of accidents result from driver errors. In Florida, the most common causes of accidents include:
- Speeding
- Intoxicated driving
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Unsafe lane changes
- Distracted driving
Florida uses a no-fault insurance system. This means compensation for minor accidents comes from the injured person’s no-fault carrier. But when the no-fault benefits run out or the accident causes a significant, permanent injury, the accident victims can seek compensation from the driver who caused the crash.
Some of the roads and intersections where accidents happen most often include:
Licata Bridge
20th St. and 22nd St. come together to form an extremely busy intersection at the base of the Licata Bridge. This intersection has become a hot spot for traffic accidents as both roads back up during rush hour.
Traffic congestion at the foot of the bridge can lead to rear-end crashes. These accidents can cause whiplash, concussions, and other injuries to the head or neck.
FL-574/M.L.K. Blvd.
This road provides a major east-west route for traffic through Tampa. This road has accidents along its entire length, but the highest concentration of accidents happens at the interchange with I-275.
Interchange of FL-60 and FL-589
This interchange near Tampa International Airport is one of the busiest and most confusing interchanges. This interchange also sees a lot of tourist traffic to and from the airport, driving unfamiliar rental cars on unfamiliar roads. As a result, this area sees many accidents every year.
Accidents on the highways near the airport often result from unsafe lane changes. In these sideswipe accidents, you can suffer injuries ranging from bruises to brain injuries.
US-92/FL-580/Hillsborough Ave.
This road had 56 pedestrian fatalities between 2008 and 2020, making it the most dangerous road for pedestrians in the city. Speeding and traffic congestion contribute to the accidents on this road.
US-41/FL-685/Florida Ave. and Waters Ave.
Surprisingly, US-41/FL-685/Florida Ave. does not have many traffic accidents along most of its length. But car accidents and pedestrian accidents cluster around the intersection with Waters Ave.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Tampa, FL Auto Accident Attorneys
Regardless of where your accident happens, you may have the right to seek compensation from the at-fault driver. To discuss your rights under Florida law and the compensation you can seek, contact Winters & Yonker for a free consultation at (813) 223-6200.
