San Bernardino’s Top 10 Most Hazardous Intersections This Year

The intersection of Sterling Avenue and 5th Street is considered one of the most hazardous intersections in San Bernardino, with Del Rosa Avenue at Date Street and Arrowhead Avenue at Baseline Street also frequently cited as dangerous locations.

These intersections combine high traffic volumes, complex lane configurations, and proximity to freeways or commercial districts, creating ideal conditions for serious accidents.

Understanding these high-risk locations helps you make informed decisions about route planning and defensive driving strategies. Each intersection presents unique hazards, from aggressive left-turn violations near freeway on-ramps to distracted driving in busy commercial areas.

When crashes do occur at these intersections, they often result in severe injuries due to high-speed impacts and T-bone collisions.

Why These San Bernardino Intersections Matter This Year

Knowing where crashes happen most often can save your life and protect your family.

The city’s intersection crash rate is 42.12%, which is 13.35% higher than the average for California cities. Additionally, San Bernardino’s fatal injury rate in intersection crashes is 3.07%, a figure that is 31.20% higher than the cross-city average.

These intersections create a perfect storm of heavy traffic, confusing lane designs, and rushed driver behavior. Understanding these hotspots allows you to plan safer routes, use extra caution, and know your legal rights if a San Bernardino intersection crash occurs.

How We Rank San Bernardino’s Most Dangerous Intersections

We analyze official crash data to give each location a “danger score.” This score considers both how often crashes happen and how severe the resulting injuries are.

Our analysis uses verified data from California’s crash reporting systems. We review five years of all reported injury crashes within San Bernardino city limits to ensure the patterns we identify are consistent and reliable.

The ranking factors include:

• Crash frequency: Total number of reported injury crashes at each intersection
• Injury severity: Fatal, serious, minor, and possible injury classifications
• Time period: Five-year analysis provides reliable patterns versus single-year anomalies
• Geographic scope: City limits of San Bernardino only

San Bernardino’s Top 10 Most Hazardous Intersections

The following list highlights the most dangerous intersections based on patterns of serious crashes, rather than minor accidents. Each intersection presents unique risk factors that every San Bernardino driver should know about.

Sterling Avenue At 5th Street Crash Trends And Safety Tips

North Sterling Avenue and East 5th Street is the most dangerous intersection in the city. Its proximity to the I-215 on-ramp creates chaotic mixing of local and freeway traffic.

The most common collisions here are aggressive left-turn accidents and high-speed T-bone crashes from drivers running red lights. Always assume someone will run the red light and look both ways before proceeding on green.

Del Rosa Avenue At Date Street Crash Trends And Safety Tips

This intersection sits in a dense residential area with poor visibility. Parked cars block sightlines, and high local traffic volume leads to frequent rear-end and failure-to-yield accidents.

Many drivers make short, familiar trips and become less attentive to their surroundings. Double-check for cross-traffic and expect sudden stops from vehicles turning into driveways.

Arrowhead Avenue At Baseline Street Crash Trends And Safety Tips

This major thoroughfare intersection sees frequent unsafe lane changes and side-swipe collisions. Drivers constantly compete for position, especially during rush hours.

Be extra vigilant for vehicles suddenly veering into your lane without signaling. Maintain extra following distance to give yourself reaction time.

Waterman Avenue At Baseline Street Crash Trends And Safety Tips

The high concentration of retail stores and business driveways makes this intersection uniquely hazardous. Drivers frequently make sudden turns or stops without warning.

T-bone and rear-end collisions are common as vehicles enter and exit shopping centers. Expect unpredictable movements and cover your brake pedal when approaching.

Orange Show Road At E Street Crash Trends And Safety Tips

Proximity to the San Bernardino Convention Center causes unpredictable traffic surges. Out-of-town drivers unfamiliar with the area often make sudden navigational decisions.

This leads to sideswipes and left-turn accidents during major events. Exercise additional caution during conventions, concerts, or sporting events.

Tippecanoe Avenue At Hospitality Lane Crash Trends And Safety Tips

This intersection is the heart of a major commercial and dining district. Congestion peaks during evening and weekend rush hours when people head to restaurants and entertainment.

Distracted driving is a significant factor here, with many crashes caused by drivers looking at phones for directions. Put your phone away completely when approaching this area.

University Parkway At I‑215 Ramps Crash Trends And Safety Tips

The complex design of freeway on-ramps and off-ramps often creates major confusion. Drivers merging onto the freeway frequently cut across multiple lanes without checking their blind spots.

Those exiting may not yield to oncoming traffic, leading to high-speed rear-end collisions. Give extra space to vehicles with out-of-state plates who may be unfamiliar with the interchange.

Mount Vernon Avenue At 5th Street Crash Trends And Safety Tips

This area mixes commuter traffic with heavy trucks from nearby industrial zones. The wide lanes encourage speeding, and large commercial vehicles create significant blind spots.

Be particularly cautious of trucks making wide turns that may swing into your lane. Never try to pass a turning truck on the right side.

Highland Avenue At Del Rosa Avenue Crash Trends And Safety Tips

Long stretches of road leading into this intersection encourage drivers to accelerate and try beating yellow lights. This behavior causes dangerous red-light-running T-bone crashes.

Start slowing down well before the intersection and be prepared to stop when you see yellow. Assume other drivers will try to race through changing lights.

Baseline Street At Tippecanoe Avenue Crash Trends And Safety Tips

This intersection suffers from heavy volume and multiple dedicated turn lanes that confuse non-local drivers. Complex signaling and lane markings lead to unsafe lane changes and failure-to-yield incidents.

Get in the correct lane early and avoid last-minute lane changes. If you miss your turn, continue straight and find a safe place to turn around.

Common Crash Factors At San Bernardino Intersections

While each intersection has unique dangers, car accidents at these locations share common causes. Understanding these factors helps you protect yourself and your passengers.

The primary crash factors include:

Red-light violations:

Drivers accelerating through yellow lights or ignoring red signals

Unsafe left turns:

Misjudging the speed and distance of oncoming traffic

Distracted driving:

Phone use, GPS adjustments, or passenger interactions

Speeding:

Exceeding speed limits reduces reaction time and stopping ability

Poor visibility:

Sun glare, inadequate lighting, or obstructed views

These factors often combine at high-volume intersections, creating multiple hazards simultaneously.

How To Drive Safer At High-Risk Intersections

Defensive driving habits can significantly improve your safety at dangerous intersections. Your awareness and preparation are your best defenses against other drivers’ mistakes.

When approaching any intersection, especially those on our list, always scan left, right, and left again before proceeding. Pause for a full second after your light turns green to ensure cross-traffic has completely stopped.

Additional safety strategies include:

• Cover your brake: Keep your foot positioned over the brake pedal when entering intersections
• Eliminate distractions: Put your phone away and set navigation before driving
• Maintain following distance: Leave extra space between you and the vehicle ahead
• Expect the unexpected: Assume other drivers will make poor decisions

These habits become second nature with practice and can prevent serious accidents.

What To Do After An Intersection Crash In San Bernardino

The moments after a crash are chaotic, but your actions can protect your health and legal rights. Stay as calm as possible and follow these critical steps in order.

A San Bernardino personal injury lawyer can handle legal complexities while you focus on recovery and healing.

Call 911 And Get Medical Care

Your first priority is safety for everyone involved. California law requires reporting any accident involving injury or death, and police reports create official records vital for insurance claims.

Always seek medical evaluation, even if you feel fine initially. Many serious injuries like concussions or whiplash don’t show immediate symptoms but can cause long-term problems.

Document The Scene Vehicles And Injuries

If you’re physically able, use your phone to photograph everything before vehicles are moved. This evidence can prove what happened when insurance companies dispute fault.

Essential photos include:

• Vehicle positions: Final resting spots of all cars involved
• Damage angles: Multiple views of all vehicle damage
• Road evidence: Skid marks, debris, or fluid spills
• Traffic controls: Signals, signs, and lane markings
• Visible injuries: Any cuts, bruises, or obvious trauma

Preserve Signal Timing Camera Footage And Dashcam Data

Evidence specific to intersection crashes disappears quickly. Traffic signal timing records and surveillance camera footage are often deleted within thirty to ninety days.

Ask nearby businesses if their security cameras captured the accident and request preservation of footage. Many intersections have red-light cameras or city surveillance that could prove fault.

Avoid Recorded Statements Before Legal Advice

The other driver’s insurance company will likely call requesting a recorded statement. You’re not legally obligated to provide one, and doing so can hurt your case.

Insurance adjusters are trained to ask leading questions that shift blame onto you. Politely decline and refer them to your attorney once you’ve hired one.

Who May Be Liable After An Intersection Crash

Determining fault in intersection crashes can involve multiple parties. While one driver is often clearly negligent, sometimes responsibility is shared among several parties.

When a driver breaks traffic laws like running red lights, they’re often considered “negligent per se,” making fault determination more straightforward.

Potentially liable parties include:

• Other drivers: Most common scenario involving speeding, distracted driving, or failure to yield
• City of San Bernardino: When malfunctioning signals, poor road design, or obscured signage contribute
• Commercial entities: If the at-fault driver operated a company vehicle during work hours
• Multiple parties: Complex accidents often involve shared responsibility percentages

Don’t let the insurance companies determine your future. If you’ve been injured in an intersection crash, you deserve justice. At Krasney Law Accident Attorneys, we have a long history of fighting for the rights of accident victims and holding negligent parties accountable.

What Damages You Can Recover After A San Bernardino Intersection Crash

If you’re injured by a negligent driver, you’re entitled to seek compensation for all your losses. An experienced auto accident lawyer ensures all damages are properly calculated and claimed.

California law allows victims to recover two main damage types. Economic damages cover measurable financial losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and vehicle repair costs.

Non-economic damages compensate for non-financial losses including:

Physical pain and suffering:

Ongoing discomfort and limitations

Emotional distress:

Anxiety, depression, and trauma from the accident

Loss of enjoyment:

Inability to participate in activities you previously loved

Scarring or disfigurement:

Permanent physical changes affecting your appearance

California follows pure comparative negligence, meaning you can recover damages even if partially at fault.

Deadlines That Can Shorten Your Intersection Claim

Critical deadlines beyond the standard two-year personal injury statute of limitations can affect your case. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to compensation.

The six-month government claim requirement applies when city property like signals or road design contributes to crashes. You must file a written claim with the City of San Bernardino within six months of your accident date.

Missing the government claim deadline usually prevents recovery against the city forever, even if they were partially responsible.

Injured At A San Bernardino Intersection Get Legal Help Today

Intersection crashes require immediate investigation because critical evidence disappears quickly. Signal timing records, surveillance footage, and witness memories fade within days or weeks.

Insurance companies often dispute fault at intersections, making experienced legal representation crucial for fair compensation. At Krasney Law Accident Attorneys, our personal approach ensures your case receives direct attention from experienced attorneys, not just staff members.

We have decades of experience handling complex intersection crashes from our offices in San Bernardino, Ontario, and Riverside. Our contingency fee structure means you pay nothing unless we successfully recover money for you.

The sooner you call, the stronger your case becomes. Contact us at (909) 380-7200 for a free consultation about your intersection accident.

Common Questions About San Bernardino Intersection Accidents

What Makes Sterling Avenue And 5th Street So Dangerous For Drivers

The intersection’s proximity to I-215 on-ramps creates chaotic mixing of local traffic with drivers accelerating toward freeway speeds. This combination leads to aggressive left-turn accidents and high-speed T-bone crashes when drivers run red lights.

How Long Do Traffic Signal Records Stay Available After San Bernardino Crashes

Traffic signal timing data and red-light camera footage are typically stored for only 30 to 90 days before being automatically deleted. This makes immediate legal action crucial for preserving this critical evidence.

Can You Sue San Bernardino If Poor Road Design Caused Your Crash

Yes, but you must file a written government claim within six months of your accident date. If poor intersection design, malfunctioning signals, or inadequate signage contributed to your crash, the city may share liability.

What Happens If You Were Speeding During Your Intersection Accident

Under California’s pure comparative negligence law, you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. Your assigned percentage of fault will reduce your final award, but you won’t be completely barred from recovery.

How Much Time Do You Have To File Intersection Accident Lawsuits

You have two years from your injury date to file personal injury lawsuits against other drivers. However, government claims against the city must be filed within six months, and critical evidence like camera footage may be deleted much sooner.

Why Do Insurance Companies Always Dispute Fault At Intersection Crashes

Intersection accidents often involve complex right-of-way rules and multiple potential violations, giving insurers opportunities to shift blame. They may argue you had time to avoid the collision or claim you violated traffic laws, making experienced legal representation essential.