As one of Metro Detroit’s busiest suburbs, Southfield is home to major business corridors, shopping centers, and heavily traveled roadways. With high traffic volume comes a higher risk for crashes, particularly at specific intersections and corridors that consistently report large numbers of car accidents. 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 Southfield based on verified data, look at factors contributing to the crash rates, and explain why working with a Southfield auto accident attorney can make a difference if you’ve been injured at one of these locations.
Crash Trends in Southfield, Michigan
Southfield continues to rank among the most collision-prone cities in Oakland County. With a dense mix of commercial corridors, freeway interchanges, and arterial roads, the city sees a high volume of daily traffic and a high number of crashes to match. According to crash statistics from the Michigan Traffic Crash Facts database and reports from SEMCOG (Southeast Michigan Council of Governments), several motor vehicle accidents occur here each year, ranging from minor fender-benders to severe multi-vehicle collisions.
In 2023, there were approximately 3,100 traffic accidents across Southfield, 746 of which caused varying degrees of injury and four of which were fatal. Nearly 800 of these motor vehicle collisions (or 25% of the total for the year) happened at intersections.
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.
Understanding when and where crashes at intersections are most likely to occur helps prudent drivers make safer choices and reveals why certain locations consistently rank among the most dangerous in the state. Now let’s review the most dangerous intersections for auto accidents in Southfield over a five-year period.
1. Telegraph Road and 12 Mile Road
- Average Crashes per Year: 61.6
- Average Injury Crashes per Year: 13.2
- Average Fatal Crashes per Year: 0.2
This is Southfield’s most hazardous intersection. With five lanes of traffic in each direction, high speeds, and complicated turning movements, this spot sees frequent rear-end and angle crashes. Short signal cycles and high traffic volumes during peak hours increase the intersection accident risk. Injury crashes here often involve left-turn conflicts and sudden stops during heavy traffic. The road geometry and timing leave little room for error in this high-traffic area.
In July 2024, a 41-year-old Clarkston man died after being hit while riding his motorcycle on Telegraph Road near 12 Mile in Southfield. The crash happened around 6:30 p.m. when another vehicle entered the southbound lanes of Telegraph from a turnaround and struck the motorcycle. Despite emergency efforts, the rider later died at the hospital.
2. Telegraph Road and 10 Mile Road
- Average Crashes per Year: 54.8
- Average Injury Crashes per Year: 10.4
- Average Fatal Crashes per Year: 0.4
Just two miles south of the top-ranked intersection, this one shares the same potential hazards: heavy lane-switching, fast-moving traffic, and limited visibility for turning vehicles. That’s why it has such a high accident rate. It’s also a common location for high-impact side collisions due to drivers misjudging gaps or making late turns. Fatal motor vehicle accidents are slightly higher here than at 12 Mile, likely due to northbound drivers traveling at higher speeds in non-congested conditions.
In September 2017, a teenage girl was struck and killed by a vehicle on Telegraph Road at 10 Mile. The crash occurred while she was reportedly running back to Bradford Academy from Burger King. Southfield officials confirmed the girl died from her injuries, and southbound Telegraph was closed between 9 and 10 Mile during rush hour as emergency crews responded.
3. Northwestern Highway and Lahser Road
- Average Crashes per Year: 49.6
- Average Injury Crashes per Year: 9.2
- Average Fatal Crashes per Year: 0.2
This intersection is not just busy – it’s confusing. Traffic from multiple ramps, service drives, and the Northwestern access lanes all converge here, creating a chaotic traffic pattern. Drivers unfamiliar with the layout are prone to last-second lane changes and missed signals, leading to side-impact and rear-end crashes. During rush hour, aggressive merging behavior spikes, especially on westbound Northwestern.
In September 2024, two men were killed in a wrong-way crash on M-10 at Lahser Road. According to Michigan State Police, the crash happened just after 5:00 p.m. when a 79-year-old man driving the wrong way on the northbound side of the freeway struck a 74-year-old driver head-on. The wrong-way driver died at the scene, while the second man was transported to the hospital and later pronounced dead. Multiple 911 calls had been made shortly before the crash, reporting the wrong-way vehicle near Evergreen Road.
4. Greenfield Road and 10 Mile Road
- Average Crashes per Year: 46.4
- Average Injury Crashes per Year: 10
- Average Fatal Crashes per Year: 0
This Oakland County intersection is especially risky due to its dense retail development and constant cross-traffic. Many of the crashes here happen during left turns, when drivers rush through yellow lights or misjudge oncoming speeds. The lack of dedicated turn lanes on some approaches only makes it worse. Although fatal crashes weren’t recorded during these five years, injury numbers remain consistently high, mostly due to driver error.
In December 2021, a two-vehicle crash occurred on a stretch of road at the intersection of 10 Mile Road and Greenfield Road in Southfield. A 38-year-old man attempted to turn right from the left lane, colliding with a 16-year-old girl in the right lane. After the initial impact, her vehicle struck a utility pole. The teen sustained a non-serious injury but refused hospital transport.
5. Evergreen Road and 12 Mile Road
- Average Crashes per Year: 42.8
- Average Injury Crashes per Year: 8
- Average Fatal Crashes per Year: 0.2
Tucked near University High School Academy (Southfield-Lathrup) and local businesses, this intersection suffers from poor lane visibility, limited turning space, and inconsistent flow control. Drivers often make quick turns across opposing traffic, leading to angle and T-bone collisions. Congestion builds quickly during school drop-off and pickup times. Though not the busiest, its mix of vehicle and pedestrian traffic adds risk.
In April 2021, a three-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of 12 Mile Road and Greenfield Road. A 25-year-old driver attempted a left turn from northbound Greenfield onto westbound 12 Mile and failed to yield to a 24-year-old driver heading south through the intersection on a green light. The collision caused the second vehicle to spin and strike a third vehicle that was stopped on eastbound 12 Mile. One driver was transported to Beaumont Hospital with injuries.
Why These Intersections Are So Dangerous
Several recurring factors make these intersections in Southfield especially hazardous:
1. High-Speed Traffic Meets Sudden Stops
Corridors like Telegraph Road and M-10 (The Lodge) have posted limits of 40 to 50 mph, and actual travel speeds often exceed that. 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. Abrupt Merges
Southfield’s grid includes a mix of freeways, service drives, and surface roads that converge within tight stretches. 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. Unprotected Left Turns
Several key intersections, such as Greenfield and 9 Mile or Evergreen and 12 Mile, lack dedicated left-turn arrows or protected turn phases. This forces drivers to judge gaps in oncoming traffic during short green cycles. In high-volume settings, this creates a no-win scenario: wait too long and block the intersection, or turn too early and risk a T-bone crash. These types of collisions are often severe, especially when involving SUVs or trucks.
4. Distracted Driving in Risky Environments
With five-lane roads, multilane turn options, and sometimes two or more traffic signals in view, Southfield 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 12 Mile, where hundreds of vehicles cross per hour, split focus becomes a serious liability.
Safety Tips for Drivers in Southfield
Whether you live in Southfield or commute through it, here are steps you can take to reduce your risk.
1. Eliminate Distractions, Especially Near Major Roads
Southfield’s high-crash zones, like Telegraph, Northwestern, and Greenfield, require quick decisions and constant awareness. Silence your phone, set your GPS before moving, and keep your hands off the screen while driving. A glance at a text or app in a five-lane intersection can cost you the reaction time you need to avoid a sudden stop or lane drift from another driver.
2. Expect the Unexpected
This is where defensive driving saves you. Assume other drivers may change lanes without signaling, brake aggressively, or turn from the wrong lane because it happens here daily. Keep your speed controlled, your mirrors in use, and your escape route clear. Southfield’s roads have volume, speed, and unpredictability, so your best move is to stay one step ahead and even use alternative routes when advisable.
3. Don’t Gamble with Yellow Lights
Many of Southfield’s most serious crashes happen when drivers try to “make the light.” Intersections like Telegraph and 12 Mile or 10 Mile and Greenfield have short cycles and long queues. If you’re hitting yellow while still accelerating, stop if it’s safe. Pushing through risks running a red or colliding with a vehicle turning across your path.
4. Be Extra Cautious with Left Turns
Left turns without arrows are a recurring hazard, especially on busy roads like Telegraph, 8 Mile, and Evergreen. Oncoming traffic often appears further away than it is, especially when it’s moving at 45+ mph. Wait for a clear gap, or don’t turn until you have a protected green arrow. Rushing a left turn is one of the fastest ways to cause a T-bone crash.
5. Build a Buffer: Rear-End Crashes Are #1
Across all of Southfield’s top intersections, rear-end collisions lead in frequency. If you’re approaching a light or already stopped, leave extra space between you and the vehicle ahead. That distance gives you time to react if traffic slows suddenly and protects you if the driver behind you isn’t paying attention.
What to Do if You’re Injured at One of These Intersections
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident at one of Southfield’s high-risk intersections, take the following steps:
- Call 911 and Seek Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, get checked out. Some symptoms (especially from whiplash or concussions) don’t appear right away.
- File a Police Report: This motor vehicle accident report creates an official record of the crash and helps assign fault if another driver caused it.
- Take Photos and Gather Information: Document the scene, your vehicle, visible injuries, and the location of traffic signs or signals. Collect contact info from witnesses if possible.
- Notify 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 Southfield Car Accident Lawyer: Injury claims involving intersections like Telegraph and 8 Mile often come with liability disputes. Auto insurance companies may try to shift blame or undervalue your case. An experienced car accident attorney knows how to reconstruct the intersection accident using traffic data and video footage, prove the at-fault driver’s negligence, and demand fair compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Work with a Trusted Southfield Personal Injury Law Firm
At The Lee Steinberg Law Firm, our auto accident attorneys have handled hundreds of cases involving crashes at Southfield’s busiest intersections. We know the more dangerous roads, the traffic patterns, and the strategies insurance companies use to deny or delay claims. We also build strong cases using expert analysis, crash data, and firsthand evidence.
If you or a loved one has been injured at a high-risk location in Southfield, 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.