Detroit is the largest city in Michigan and the most heavily traveled. With many busy streets, intersections, and freeways, the city has the highest number of car crashes and collisions every year. For residents, commuters, and anyone passing through, knowing where these high-risk areas are is a key part of staying safe behind the wheel.
Below, we’ll highlight the most dangerous intersections in Detroit based on verified data, look at factors contributing to the crash rates, and explain why working with a Detroit auto accident attorney can make a difference if you’ve been injured at one of these locations.
Crash Trends in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit continues to rank as the most collision-prone city in Michigan. With a dense mix of commercial corridors, freeways, interchanges, and arterial roads, the city experiences a high volume of daily traffic and a high number of crashes. According to crash statistics from the Michigan Traffic Crash Facts database and reports from SEMCOG (Southeast Michigan Council of Governments), thousands of vehicle accidents occur in Detroit each year, ranging from minor fender-benders to severe multi-vehicle collisions.
In 2023, there were approximately 24,344 traffic accidents across Detroit, resulting in almost 8700 injuries and 130 fatalities. Over 6,600 of these crashes (more than 25%) were rear-end collisions.
While fatal collisions are relatively rare compared to the overall volume, injury-causing crashes make up a significant share, especially in areas with heavy congestion or complicated traffic flow. Intersection-related crashes account for a large portion of accident injuries, particularly where high-speed roads meet local streets with frequent stoplights.
Now let’s review the most dangerous intersections for auto accidents in Detroit over a five-year period.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Intersections in Detroit
1. Livernois Ave. and Davison St.
- Average Crashes per Year: 54.6
- Fatalities from 2019-2023: 4
This is Detroit’s most hazardous intersection. With three lanes of traffic heading in both directions, multiple gas stations, and retail plazas, and bending roads, this spot sees frequent rear-end and T-bone crashes. High traffic volumes during rush hours increase the intersection accident risk. Injury crashes here often involve left-turns and sudden stops during heavy traffic.
In July 2024, a man and his 15 year-old son were ejected from a food truck they occupied when a vehicle ran straight into them at full speed. Both individuals sustained injuries. Speeding is believed to be one of the causes of the crash.
2. Davison St. and Conant St.
- Average Crashes per Year: 49.2
- Fatalities from 2019-2023: 5
Another intersection on Davison Street is number two on the list. A few miles to the east of the top-ranked intersection, this one has many of the same hazards: multiple lanes heading in each direction, gas station and retail at each corner, and limited visibility for turning vehicles. Side-impact collisions and pedestrian accidents are common at this intersection. Fatal motor vehicle accidents are slightly higher here than at Livernois St.
In April 2015, a 27 year-old woman was killed while driving eastbound on Davison Street near Conant in the early morning hours when she lost control of her vehicle and struck a streetlight pole. The woman was not wearing a seatbelt, was speeding, and alcohol believed to be a factor in the crash as well.
3. Conner St. and Gratiot Ave.
- Average Crashes per Year: 48
- Fatalities from 2019-2023: 13
This intersection is super busy and comes at a sharp angle due to Gratiot Ave. There are 7 lanes on Gratiot in total heading in both directions, including a left-turn lane that forces drivers to pull far out onto Conner St. to successfully make the turn. Promenade Street bisects the intersection, causing more traffic and confusion for drivers. In addition, there is an island in the middle of the intersection to separate the right turn lane onto Conner from Gratiot. Tragically, this intersection is one of the deadly in Detroit.
On March 2, 2025, emergency personnel responded to a car collision at the intersection. Multiple injuries were reported at the scene, with ambulances taking victims to the hospital.
4. Telegraph Rd. and Grand River Ave.
- Average Crashes per Year: 40.8
- Fatalities from 2019-2023: 4
This Detroit intersection is especially dangerous to the wide boulevards that divide both streets and the multiple lanes of traffic. Both streets are major thoroughfares which seem to encourage speeding and quick lane changes. Traffic can get extremely heavy and people are anxious to beat the light to get to their destination. There is also a lot of pedestrian traffic crossing the street.
In February 2025, two people were injured in a crash when a police officer tried to pull over a sedan on Grand River for a traffic violation. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene and sped away from the officer. The sedan then ran a red light on EB Grand River at Telegraph Rd and crashed into a white Jeep Grand Cherokee.
5. Davison St. and Linwood St.
- Average Crashes per Year: 39.6
- Fatalities from 2019-2023: 6
Davison St. pops up for a third time, this time on Detroit’s west side. This is a busy, tightly packed intersection with gas stations and restaurants at every corner. In addition, there are left turn lanes on all four sides, leaving little room for passing cars. There is a high pedestrian area along with stop-and-go traffic throughout the day. This intersection leaves little room for vehicles making a right-hand turn, forcing the turning vehicle into the adjacent lane.
In October 2019, a car struck a SUV while turning to go north on Linwood St. from westbound Davison Street. The collision sent the SUV into a utility pole. The driver of the SUV died on impact with pole. The driver of the car was taken to the hospital.
Why These Intersections Are So Dangerous
Several recurring factors make these intersections in Detroit especially hazardous:
1. Intersections with Residential and Commercial Traffic
The above intersections all have something in common. They are high-traveled intersections that attract both residential and commercial traffic. Intersections like Telegraph and Grand River are especially busy during the morning and evening commute. And these streets, which are actually under the purview of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) attract a lot of speeding drivers.
The problem is that these fast-moving stretches are intersected by traffic lights, turn lanes, driveways, and local side roads, forcing sudden slowdowns or stops. Drivers moving at highway speeds don’t always anticipate these interruptions, leading to rear-end crashes, angle collisions, and dangerous turn conflicts.
2. Multiple Left Turn Lanes
Almost all the above intersections have multiple left turn signals. This means traffic is coming both from the left and the right, forcing drivers to check different viewpoints over a very short time. The left turn lanes also entice drivers into gaps during the short green lights, creating a risk for T-bone crashes. These types of collisions are often severe, especially when involving SUVs or trucks.
Locations like Northwestern Hwy and Lahser or Telegraph near 10 Mile demand quick decisions. Drivers are often expected to exit, merge, or switch lanes in under a quarter-mile, sometimes across four or more lanes of traffic. During peak hours, the result is a steady stream of side-swipes and forced cut-ins, especially when GPS delays or unfamiliarity play a role.
3. Narrow Lanes
Several key intersections, such as Davison St. and Conant St. have quite narrow lanes. These streets were initially built before Detroit’s population boomed in the early to mid-20th Century, when city planners focused on more land for houses and less room for car traffic. This created many city streets barely large enough to fit the SUVs and full-size trucks that many drivers prefer today. We now have a recipe for head-on collisions, crashes during turns and pedestrian accidents.
4. Distracted Driving in Risky Environments
With five-lane roads, multilane turn options, and sometimes two or more traffic signals in view, Detroit intersections require full attention. But distractions like texting, in-dash navigation, or even passenger interactions still pull focus. When drivers glance down at a phone while approaching a congested signal or misread a light pattern, even a split-second lapse can cause a crash. In intersections like Telegraph and Grand River, where hundreds of vehicles cross per hour, split focus becomes a serious liability.
What to Do if You’re Injured at One of These Intersections
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident at one of Detroit’s high-risk intersections, take the following steps:
- Call 911 and Get Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, get checked out. Some symptoms (especially from whiplash or concussions) don’t appear right away. Go to a local hospital or urgent care as quickly as possible.
- File a Police Report: This motor vehicle accident report creates an official record of the crash. The police will get all pertinent information and assign fault to a driver. In some instances, like uninsured motorist claims, a police report is required to pursue a case for pain and suffering compensation.
- Take Photos and Gather Information: If you can, take photos on your cell phone of your vehicle and the other vehicles involved in the crash. Document the scene and take video if necessary. Collect the contact info from witnesses.
- Contact Your Insurance Company: Start your no-fault claim and ask for a PIP application. Include medical records and lost wage information if applicable.
- Talk to a Detroit Car Accident Lawyer: Injury claims involving intersections like Livernois Ave. and Davison St. are not always clear cut. Auto insurance companies may try to shift blame to you and dispute liability. The car insurance carrier may also argue your injuries are not accident related and attempt to terminate or stop the payment of first-party no-fault benefits.
Work with a Trusted Detroit Personal Injury Law Firm
At The Lee Steinberg Law Firm, our auto accident attorneys have handled thousands of cases involving crashes at Detroit’s busiest intersections. Our experienced car accident attorneys know how to reconstruct the intersection accident using traffic data and video footage, prove the at-fault driver’s negligence, and demand big compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one has been injured at a high-risk location in Detroit, call 1-800-LEE-FREE or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury attorney. There’s no fee unless we win your case, so reach out today.