10 Dangerous Intersections in Richardson, Texas for Car Accidents

March 17, 2024

Richardson, Texas, sadly saw a total of 845 car accidents at intersections in 2023. These crashes involved 1,763 vehicles and impacted the lives of 2,425 individuals.

This article is based on data in TXDOT’s CRIS system. Here’s an overview:

The below heat map illustrates the car accident hotspots at intersections across Richardson, Texas in 2023:

The following cluster map offers a detailed view of high-incident intersections and interchanges throughout the City:

10. I-75 & Belt Line Rd./Main St.: Car Crash Hotspot

In 2023, I saw 12 car wrecks at I-75 and Belt Line Rd./Main St. This busy spot is near Richardson Heights Shopping Center, old downtown Richardson, and Richardson Junior High School. The mix of a big highway (I-75), busy roads, and nearby spots makes for tough driving.

Why are there so many wrecks here?

• Lots of cars, even more during rush hour.
• Drivers merge from all sides, which can get messy.
• People who don’t know the area might make bad choices.

The worst kinds of wrecks I see here are:

• Rear-end crashes from sudden stops.
• Sideswipes when people change lanes poorly.
• Drivers lost in the area cause trouble.

9. Abrams Rd. & Centennial Blvd.: A Busy East Richardson Intersection

In 2023, this intersection saw 13 car crashes. It’s a major crossroads in East Richardson. Nearby spots like parks, shops, and homes make traffic tricky.

Here’s why I think wrecks are common here:

• Abrams Rd. gets lots of fast traffic.
• Drivers might rush to beat the traffic lights.
• Turning left across traffic can be dangerous.

Common types of crashes at this spot include:

• T-bone crashes from turning mistakes.
• Red-light runners hitting other cars.
• Accidents involving cars turning into traffic.

Injuries here can range from whiplash to broken bones, depending on how bad the crash is.

8. I-75 & W. Campbell Rd.: High Risks on the Highway

This highway intersection saw 15 car crashes in 2023. I’m not surprised – highways always see lots of traffic and fast speeds. Drivers getting on or off the highway need to merge quickly, which gets risky.

Here’s what I think leads to so many crashes:

• People changing lanes without care.
• Drivers misjudging how fast others are going when they merge.
• Rear-end crashes when traffic slows down suddenly.

With those highway speeds, injuries from crashes at this spot can be really bad.

7. N. Plano Rd. & Arapaho Rd.: Richardson’s Riskiest Intersection

The intersection of North Plano Road and Arapaho Road had a concerning 15 car crashes in 2023. Located in East Richardson, it’s near busy Huffhines Park. This mix of recreational traffic and regular commuters creates a recipe for trouble.

Here’s why I think this intersection is dangerous:

• Extremely heavy traffic, especially on weekends and during park events.
• Distracted drivers focused on the park or looking for parking.
• Confusing intersection layout with multiple lanes and turning options.

The most common types of crashes I see at this location are:

• Rear-end collisions due to sudden stops near the park entrance.
• T-bone collisions caused by drivers misjudging turns across busy traffic.
• Sideswipes from impatient lane changes and distracted driving.

With high traffic volume and potential for distracted drivers, injuries at this intersection could range from minor to severe. It’s crucial to exercise extra caution when approaching this area.

6. Coit Rd. & W. Belt Line Rd.: Trouble Near Richardson High School

This intersection had 16 car crashes in 2023. It’s close to Richardson High School, the big Eagle-Mustang Stadium, parks, stores, and neighborhoods. With all that nearby, traffic gets messy.

Here’s why I think this spot is dangerous:

• Teen drivers from the high school might lack experience.
• Shoppers coming and going can cause unexpected traffic flow.
• Distractions are everywhere, from stores to games at the stadium.

Common types of crashes I see here include:

• Rear-end collisions due to sudden stops and distracted drivers.
• Sideswipes from people making sudden lane changes on busy roads.
• Accidents involving teen drivers turning or merging into traffic.

Injuries can range from minor to more serious, depending on the speed and type of the crash.

5. Spring Valley Rd. & S. Sherman St.: East Richardson Risks

This intersection, located in East Richardson, saw 17 car crashes in 2023. It’s close to Spring Valley Station, Richardson Heights Shopping Center, and even a Texas Instruments campus off of I-635 and I-75. This mix of businesses and residential areas creates a lot of traffic.

Here’s why I think this spot sees so many wrecks:

• Heavy traffic, especially during rush hour and shopping times.
• Confusing traffic lights and street patterns can frustrate drivers.
• Drivers rushing to get to work or nearby shops might make risky choices.

The most common types of crashes here are:

• Rear-end crashes from sudden braking in heavy traffic.
• T-bone collisions from people misjudging turns or running red lights.
• Sideswipes caused by impatient lane changes.

Injuries depend on the severity of the crash, but with busy roads, anything from whiplash to serious injuries is possible.

4. Coit Rd. & Campbell Rd.: Accidents Near Richardson Schools & Stores

In 2023, this intersection had 17 car crashes. It’s close to JJ Pearce High School, a big Texas A&M research center, parks, and stores like Target and Tom Thumb. All these spots bring in lots of traffic.

Here’s why I think this intersection is a problem:

• Students going to and from high school can add to traffic congestion.
• People visiting the college campus might not know the area well.
• Shoppers distracted by their errands could make driving errors.

Common types of crashes at this intersection include:

• Rear-end collisions due to sudden stops near busy stores.
• Sideswipes from drivers changing lanes to get into shopping center entrances.
• Accidents involving students or visitors unfamiliar with the area.

Injuries here could range from minor to more serious depending on the type of crash and the speeds involved.

3. Greenville Ave. & Centennial Blvd: East Richardson Trouble Spot

The intersection of Greenville Avenue and Centennial Boulevard, located just east of I-75 in Richardson, saw 18 car crashes in 2023. It’s close to a big neighborhood, Restland Memorial Park, and even a Dallas College campus. This mix makes for tricky driving.

Here’s why I think this spot sees so many wrecks:

• Heavy traffic coming to and from the college campus.
• Drivers going to the cemetery might not be familiar with the area.
• The intersection’s layout near an I-75 off-ramp can be confusing.

Common crashes at this location include:

• Rear-end collisions caused by sudden stops and traffic congestion.
• Sideswipes from drivers merging or turning without caution.
• Accidents involving drivers who misjudge traffic flow near the highway exit.

Injuries here could be anything from minor whiplash to more severe, depending on the nature of the crash.

2. President George Bush Turnpike & E. Renner Rd.: Trouble near the Trails

This intersection saw a worrying 19 car crashes in 2023. It’s located near the Spring Creek Forest Preserve Nature Trail and a big neighborhood. The mix of nature lovers and people heading home creates a lot of unpredictable traffic.

Reasons for crashes at this spot likely include:

• Heavy traffic during peak hours, especially with people going to the nature trail.
• Distracted drivers focused on finding trail entrances or enjoying the scenery.
• Unexpected turns and lane changes by drivers unfamiliar with the area.

Common types of crashes I see here are:

• Rear-end collisions due to sudden stops near the nature preserve.
• Sideswipes caused by distracted drivers changing lanes.
• Accidents involving hikers or visitors misjudging traffic flow.

Injuries could range in severity, depending on the speed of the vehicles involved and the type of collision.

1. Arapaho Rd. & N. Jupiter Rd.: Richardson’s Riskiest Intersection

Clocking in at a worrying 21 car crashes in 2023, Arapaho Rd. and N. Jupiter Rd. takes the unfortunate top spot as Richardson’s most dangerous intersection. Located in East Richardson, it sits near popular destinations like Huffhines Park and the Spring Creek Forest Preserve Nature Trail. This mix of park-goers, residents, and regular traffic creates a recipe for trouble.

Here’s a breakdown of why this intersection sees so many accidents:

• High Traffic Volume: Especially during peak hours and on weekends when people flock to the park, this intersection experiences a surge in traffic flow that can overwhelm drivers.
• Distracted Drivers: With the allure of Huffhines Park nearby, motorists might be looking for park entrances or enjoying the scenery, distracted from the road.
• Confusing Layout: The intersection’s design can be tricky to navigate, especially for those unfamiliar with the area.

Common crash types at this intersection include:

• Rear-End Collisions: Sudden braking as drivers approach the park entrance often leads to rear-end crashes.
• T-Bone Accidents: Misjudging turns, especially when crossing busy Arapaho Rd., can cause these serious side-impact collisions.
• Sideswipe Crashes: Distracted drivers or those making risky lane changes to get to the park can cause sideswipe accidents.

Since this area attracts park visitors and people enjoying the outdoors, injuries from crashes here could range from minor whiplash to more severe depending on the impact of the collision.

Extra Caution is Crucial:

Due to the high volume of traffic and potential for distracted drivers, it’s vital to exercise extra caution when approaching this intersection.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

If you’ve been hurt in a car crash at one of Richardson’s dangerous intersections, I know it can be overwhelming. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you navigate the aftermath. Here’s how:

• Determine fault: A lawyer will investigate your accident to figure out who was at fault. This is key for getting fair compensation.
• Negotiate with insurance: Insurance companies can be tricky. A lawyer will handle all the talks and paperwork, fighting for the best possible outcome.
• Protect your rights: I’ll make sure your rights are protected throughout the process and that you understand all the legal options available to you.