Founder and Managing Partner
Welcome to our essential guide on the “Dangerous Places in Los Angeles for Pedestrians,” brought to you by J&Y Law Firm, a beacon of support and advocacy for personal injury victims throughout California. Based in Los Angeles, CA, we understand the unique challenges and hazards that our city presents to pedestrians every day.
Los Angeles is known for its vibrant streets, bustling crosswalks, and sprawling urban landscapes. However, this bustling metropolis also contains zones that pose significant risks to pedestrians. Every year, countless individuals face injuries, or worse, due to poorly designed intersections, inadequate pedestrian infrastructure, and negligent drivers.
In this article, we will identify and discuss the most hazardous areas in Los Angeles for pedestrians. Our aim is to arm you with knowledge, heightening awareness and promoting safer practices whether you’re walking to work, school, or enjoying the scenic beauty of our city.
At J&Y Law Firm, we believe in the power of prevention and the right of every individual to navigate their city safely. But should the worst occur, we are here to ensure that victims receive the compensation they deserve for their medical bills, suffering, and loss of quality of life.
Stay with us as we walk you through Los Angeles’s most dangerous locales for pedestrians. Your safety and well-being are paramount, and through this guide, we hope to contribute to a safer, more pedestrian-friendly Los Angeles.
Downtown LA
Downtown LA’s revitalization has meant an upswing in foot traffic throughout the Historic Core, South Park, and everywhere in between.
Unfortunately, that’s also made its intersections into collision magnets.
Los Angeles Walks put out a map earlier this year identifying a handful of DTLA crossings as some of the most dangerous in LA; the LAT found the neighborhood has the “highest concentrations of dangerous intersections” in the city.
In all, 659 people were hit crossing 48 intersections in Downtown from 2002 to 2013; 11 of those people died.Â
Fifth Street from Broadway to Main Street is a standout, with 24 crashes at Broadway and Fifth (one was fatal), 23 at Spring and Fifth (one fatality here, too), and 25 collisions at Main and Fifth. (source)
Hollywood
Hooray for Hollywood? Not if you’re walking. A clump of the ‘hood’s most unsafe intersections runs along Sunset and Hollywood Boulevards, not surprisingly.
Even less surprising is that busy crossings at Hollywood and Highland and Hollywood and Vine are hubs of pedestrian/car crashes, with Highland seeing 38 collisions and Vine seeing 30.
Third-runner-up Sunset and La Brea was the site of 26 car/walker incidents. (source)
Western and Slauson Avenues
The single worst intersection in Los Angeles wasn’t in any of these neighborhoods though. That award goes to Western and Slauson Avenues, where 41 people trying to cross the street have been hit by cars.
Two of those people died. Possible factors in the intersection’s dangerousness are its width (pedestrians have to cross five lanes of traffic) and the speed at which cars travel the road.
As an expert told the Times, “Pedestrians face a 25% chance of severe injury if they are hit by a car driving 23 mph … The risk rises to 75% if the car is going just 16 mph faster.” (source)
East Hollywood
Two major arteries in East Hollywood are singled out as long, terrifying stretches for pedestrians.
Vermont from Prospect Avenue to Lockwood Avenue had seven intersections that together accounted for 115 pedestrian-car collisions.
Thirteen intersections along or close to Western Avenue between Hollywood and Romaine accounted for 212 collisions and 10 fatalities.
At Sunset and Western, there were 31 crashes and two deaths between 2002 and 2013. Normandie and Santa Monica was another major crash point, with 19 crashes and one fatality. (source)
Westlake
Many of Westlake’s worst intersections cluster around the main drag, Alvarado, where the blocks between Sixth Street and Olympic are big red dots of pedestrian danger on the map.Â
Eighth Street and Alvarado, previously pegged as very dangerous by a Los Angeles Walks map, appears here again, accounting for 25 car/walker crashes between 2002 and 2013.
Union Avenue is also a hotspot for unhappy meetings of cars and pedestrians; 59 crashes took place between Sixth Street and Olympic. (source)
Dangerous intersections in L.A.
- LA has 86 intersections that were the site of 10 or more crashes that caused injury or death in 2023. These intersections are scattered throughout the city, but the five most dangerous are concentrated in South Central LA.
- The intersection of S. Vermont Avenue and W. Florence Avenue is the most dangerous in LA; 19 accidents involving injury or death occurred there in 2023.
- Downtown LA has the most intersection crashes of any neighborhood in the city, with 937 deadly or injurious crashes in 2023.
- Other dangerous intersections include:
- E. Manchester Avenue and Avalon Boulevard
- W. Manchester Avenue and S. Vermont Avenue
- Victory Boulevard and Lindley Avenue
- W. Manchester Avenue and S. Normandie Avenue
- S. Vermont Avenue and W. Florence Avenue
Call A California Pedestrian Injury Lawyer Now
As we wrap up our exploration of the most perilous spots for pedestrians in Los Angeles, it’s crucial to remember that navigating these areas requires heightened vigilance and an unwavering commitment to personal safety. Despite our best efforts, accidents can happen, and the consequences can be severe, leaving individuals and their families to navigate the complex aftermath alone.
If you or someone you know has been injured while walking in any of these dangerous zones—or anywhere else in Los Angeles, for that matter—it’s important to know that help is available. The J&Y Law Firm specializes in pedestrian accident cases, offering expert legal advice and support to ensure that victims receive the compensation and care they deserve. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by pedestrians in our city, the team at J&Y Law Firm is prepared to advocate on your behalf, helping you to navigate the legal system with confidence.
Remember, seeking professional legal advice can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. If you’ve been injured, don’t hesitate to reach out to J&Y Law Firm at (323) 202-2305. Your initial consultation is free, and it’s a critical step towards ensuring your rights are protected and your recovery is supported. Stay safe, and remember, you’re not alone.