Most Dangerous Roads/Intersections in Syracuse

Despite their name, car accidents are often not accidental. Instead, they tend to result from a predictable combination of factors, and their locations follow patterns that develop over time. The most dangerous roads/intersections in Syracuse, NY, arise where environmental factors and risky driving behaviors combine to increase the likelihood of crashes.

Here’s what you need to know about crash hotspots in the city and how a Syracuse car accident lawyer can help if you were hurt in a collision. Call Passalacqua & Associates, LLC at (315) 500-6425 to schedule a free consultation if you need legal help after a wreck. 

How Passalacqua & Associates, LLC, Can Help After a Car Accident in Syracuse, NY

After a car crash, you need a seasoned advocate on your side to handle the legal side while you focus on healing. Our attorneys have 50 years of combined experience representing car accident victims in Syracuse, New York, and have recovered millions in compensation. We guide our clients through every stage of litigation, from investigation to trial.

When a client suffers a serious injury in a car accident, our Syracuse personal injury lawyers can help by:

• Reviewing your case and identifying your claims under New York law
• Preparing your insurance claim using medical records, crash reports, and other evidence
• Negotiating for a settlement with the other driver’s liability carrier
• Filing an injury lawsuit against the negligent driver if we cannot resolve your insurance claim

Car accidents typically result from driver negligence, even in crash hotspots. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Syracuse car accident attorney if a negligent driver caused you to suffer injuries.

Dangerous Locations for Syracuse Drivers

Syracuse recently adopted a Vision Zero initiative. The goal of these policies is to eliminate traffic deaths through road design and regulations directed at crash hotspots. To identify where to direct these countermeasures, the city developed a high-injury network showing where crashes cluster.

According to the city’s analysis, the following locations are of most concern for drivers.

Risky Road Corridors in Syracuse

Crashes on dangerous roads often involve rear-end collisions. These crashes can happen when road congestion combines with risky driving behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, and distracted driving. For example, a driver might ram into the vehicle ahead of them on a busy road with high-speed traffic when they follow another vehicle too closely.

Some road corridors in Syracuse with high crash numbers include:

• Bear Street between Spring Street and Lodi Street
• Colvin Street between Midland Avenue and Benedict Avenue
• Court Street between Hood Avenue and Bear Street
• Erie Boulevard between Crouse Avenue and Cherry Street, and between Warren Street and Catherine Street
• Genesee Street between Milton Avenue and Lakeview Avenue, and between Walnut Avenue and Allen Street
• Onondaga Street between the city limits and Geddes Street
• West Street between Fabius Street and Onondaga Street

Keep in mind that these road segments are often heavily traveled and might not be avoidable when driving in the city.

Hazardous Syracuse Intersections

According to the city’s high-injury network analysis, 82% of serious injury crashes occurred at intersections. These dangerous intersections often develop due to risky behaviors such as turning without waiting for a gap in traffic and disobeying traffic control signs and signals.

Here’s a closer look at some dangerous intersections identified in the high-injury network:

• Butternut Street, Lodi Street, and Catherine Street
• Genesee Street and Geddes Street
• Genesee Street and Salina Street
• Tallman Street and South Avenue
• James Street and Midler Avenue
• Erie Boulevard and Devine Street
• Almond Street and Harrison Street

Pedestrian accidents can also occur at intersections when drivers fail to yield at crosswalks.

Tips for Driving Safely in Syracuse

Driving in Syracuse requires extra caution, particularly during fall and winter months. Snow, black ice, and reduced daylight hours make defensive driving essential. The following tips can help reduce your risk of a crash:

• Slow down in bad weather. Ice and snow significantly increase stopping distances. Reduce your speed well below the posted limit when conditions are slippery.
• Leave extra following distance. Allow more space between your vehicle and the one ahead of you, especially on highways like I-81 and I-690.
• Avoid sudden movements. Hard braking, sharp turns, or rapid acceleration can cause your vehicle to skid.
• Stay alert at busy intersections. Look carefully for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly downtown and near Syracuse University.
• Be cautious in construction zones. Follow posted signs and be prepared for lane shifts or sudden slowdowns.
• Keep your headlights on. Reduced visibility from lake-effect snow or early sunsets makes it harder for other drivers to see you.
• Maintain your vehicle. Proper tire tread, functioning brakes, and a fully charged battery are especially important during Syracuse winters.

Practicing defensive driving habits and preparing your vehicle for seasonal conditions can make a meaningful difference in your safety. Even on familiar routes, conditions can change quickly, so staying attentive and cautious is key to avoiding preventable accidents in Syracuse.

Contact Our Syracuse Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation

No matter where a car accident happens, the results can be devastating and long-lasting. If you were involved in a Syracuse crash, contact Passalacqua & Associates, LLC to schedule a free consultation. Our Syracuse car accident attorneys can help you understand your options for seeking compensation under New York law today.