Serious crashes in Long Beach cluster at a small number of busy intersections, and the city tracks exactly which ones. The Safe Streets Long Beach Action Plan, adopted in July 2020, ranks intersections by how often crashes there kill or seriously injure someone, based on 2013 to 2017 collision data. Knowing where those crashes happen helps any driver, and it is information a Long Beach personal injury attorney works with every day. Below are six intersections from the city’s rankings where extra care pays off, followed by five local firms that handle crash cases.
Which Long Beach intersections have the most serious crashes?
The six intersections below all appear on the city’s top-20 high-injury lists. The plan defines a serious injury as one involving broken bones, dislocated limbs, severe cuts, head, spinal or abdominal injuries, unconsciousness or severe burns.
1. Why is Anaheim Street and Atlantic Avenue so dangerous?
It ranked first in the city for pedestrian and bicycle injuries, with 14 pedestrian crashes, 8 bicycle crashes and 5 people killed or seriously injured over five years. The same corner also logged 113 motor vehicle crashes. Both are busy commercial streets with heavy foot traffic, so check crosswalks carefully before turning, especially after dark.
2. What makes Pacific Coast Highway and 2nd Street risky?
It had more motor vehicle crashes than any other intersection on the city’s list: 127 over five years, plus 3 involving motorcycles. Traffic to and from Belmont Shore and Seal Beach converges here. Citywide, the plan found broadside and turning collisions behind 45 percent of serious crashes involving only cars, so wait for a clear gap before turning left.
3. Why does Ocean Boulevard and Pine Avenue top the vehicle list?
It ranked first among intersections for crashes involving cars and motorcycles, with 43 vehicle crashes, 3 motorcycle crashes and 6 people killed or seriously injured. This downtown corner near the Convention Center draws heavy foot traffic and visitors unfamiliar with the area.
4. What should drivers know about 7th Street and Ximeno Avenue?
It ranked second for vehicle crashes, with 70 motor vehicle crashes, 5 motorcycle crashes and 6 people killed or seriously injured. 7th Street is a wide, fast corridor through East Long Beach. The plan names driving too fast for conditions as the most common driver violation in serious crashes, and the city has since lowered speed limits on parts of 7th Street.
5. Why is Pacific Coast Highway and Pacific Avenue on the list?
It ranked third for pedestrian and bicycle injuries, with 7 pedestrian crashes, 9 bicycle crashes and 4 people killed or seriously injured. Both streets also appear on the city’s high-injury corridor lists. Check your mirror for cyclists before turning right, since the plan ties right-turning drivers to 20 percent of reported bicycle collisions.
6. Is Artesia Boulevard and Long Beach Boulevard dangerous?
It recorded 78 motor vehicle crashes and 3 motorcycle crashes over five years, making it one of North Long Beach’s riskiest intersections. It sits close to the 91 freeway, so expect drivers changing lanes to reach on-ramps. The city has lowered speed limits on Long Beach Boulevard in North Long Beach.
Which Long Beach law firms handle intersection crash cases?
These firms in and around Long Beach handle car accident and injury claims:
- Pulido Legal, LC
- BHL Accident Lawyers
- The May Firm
- Lawyer Vince
- Farahi Law Firm, APC
1. Pulido Legal, LC: Long Beach Personal Injury Attorney
Pulido Legal, LC is a Long Beach firm led by Jose Pulido, Esq. The firm handles car and truck accident claims, including crashes that injure pregnant mothers, for clients in Long Beach and nearby cities. Intersection crashes often turn on who had the right of way, and the firm helps clients gather the collision report, photos and witness accounts that answer that question. Jose Pulido is a veteran and also works with service members and military families. The firm handles family law and estate planning matters as well.
2. BHL Accident Lawyers
BHL Accident Lawyers is an accident law firm with an office on West Ocean Boulevard in downtown Long Beach.
3. The May Firm
The May Firm is a car accident and injury law firm in downtown Long Beach.
4. Lawyer Vince
Lawyer Vince is an accident and injury law office on East Anaheim Street in Long Beach.
5. Farahi Law Firm, APC
Farahi Law Firm, APC is a personal injury firm with an office in San Pedro.
How can Long Beach drivers lower their risk at these intersections?
The city’s data points to the same habits again and again: keep your speed down on wide arterials and look twice for people in the crosswalk before you turn. Crashes on city streets are handled by the Long Beach Police Department, and if a road defect played a part, a claim against a public agency generally must be filed within six months. If you were hurt at one of these intersections, a Long Beach personal injury attorney can explain your options while the evidence is still fresh, so schedule a consultation before giving a statement to any insurer.