Louisville’s intersections are hotspots for severe accidents, posing serious risks for drivers and pedestrians alike. Here are some of the top trouble spots—plus safety tips and how legal support can help if you are the victim of a motor vehicle collision.
1. 2nd Street & Broadway (Downtown)
- Ranked Kentucky’s most dangerous intersection in Time’s 2019 study. There were 35 crashes at this intersection in a single year.
- High pedestrian and right-turn-on-red traffic make this spot tricky for drivers.
2. Preston Highway & Outer Loop
- A key area in Louisville’s “dangerous corridor” initiatives: There have been about 715 crashes per year along Preston, with 13 fatalities and 33 serious injuries since 2021
3. Bardstown Road & Grinstead Drive (Highlands)
- High pedestrian and vehicle traffic near bars and restaurants cause dangerous driving conditions; poor lighting and confusing lanes contribute to frequent accidents.
4. Dixie Highway & Pendleton Road
- Dixie Highway’s fatality rate is three times higher than comparable roads. This is due in part to the lack of medians and left-turn lanes and areas that are poorly lit.
5. Eastern Parkway & Barret Avenue / Preston / Shelby Streets
- These intersections are dangerous due to blind curves, right-on-red confusion, and speeding vehicles
6. Shelbyville Road & Willis Avenue (St. Matthews area)
- Heavy traffic, short merge lanes, pedestrian traffic, and speeding make this a local hazard
7. Kennedy Interchange (“Spaghetti Junction”)
- The complex junction of I‑64, I‑65, and I‑71 near downtown.
This area has undergone construction changes in an effort to make it more safe, but it remains a site of frequent accidents due driver confusion, rush hour traffic and speeding.
Safety Tips for Navigating Dangerous Intersections
- Stay alert – Avoid distractions and watch for slowing traffic
- Obey signs and traffic signals – No running reds or rolling through stop signs, and note changes in speed limits.
- Watch for pedestrians and cyclists – Especially near bars, restaurants or school zones.
- Yield in confusion – When in doubt, yet others proceed in traffic and obey traffic lanes.
- Adjust speed – Slow down when you are approaching complex or poorly lit intersections, construction zones or school zones.
What to Do If You're in an Automobile Accident
- Document everything – Take photos with your phone if you are able to do so, collect witness contact information, and write down police report numbers or police officer contact information
- Get away from intersections if you have been in an accident. You do not want to risk further injury.
- Seek medical help if you are injured – Call 911 or have a bystander call 911. Many people do not realize the full extent of their injuries after an accident due to the chaos and adrenaline associated with being involved in a car crash.
- Protect your rights and hire an experienced attorney if you have been injured. An attorney will help you with lost wages, medical bills, and simplify the process of dealing with multiple insurance companies.
How We Can Help
At Brett Oppenheimer, PLLC, we specialize in accidents in Louisville and the surrounding areas. We will deal with the insurance companies, collect medical records and bills to document your injuries and your medical costs, assist you with lost wages payments if you are unable to return to work, and give you time to focus on your recovery. Contact us for a free consultation—we're here to help you get justice after a collision.