10 Dangerous Intersections in McKinney, TX for Car Accidents

March 19, 2024

In 2023, McKinney experienced a concerning number of car accidents at intersections. A total of 889 crashes involved 1854 vehicles and 2516 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 McKinney, Texas in 2023:

The following cluster map of 2023 car wrecks at intersections in McKinney offers a detailed view of high-incident intersections and interchanges throughout the city:

10. TX-121 & S. Lake Forest Dr.: A Hotspot for Auto Accidents

This intersection experienced 10 car accidents in 2023. Located in northern McKinney, TX-121 & S. Lake Forest Dr. sits right by popular destinations like the Allen Premium Outlets, LifeTime Fitness, Cinemark Allen 16, and the Eldorado Heights neighborhood. This busy intersection is a major route for shoppers and residents, featuring multiple lanes and frequent turns into and out of nearby businesses.

Here’s why this intersection sees a higher accident rate:

• Heavy traffic: The constant flow of shoppers and residents creates congestion and potential bottlenecks.
• Merging lanes: Drivers merging onto and off of TX-121 must navigate sudden lane changes.
• Distractions: Shoppers may be focused on finding their destination rather than road conditions.
• Negligence This could include distracted driving, speeding, or failure to yield the right-of-way.

Given these factors, this intersection is likely to see sideswipes, rear-end collisions, and accidents involving turning vehicles. Injuries could range from minor whiplash to more severe, particularly since TX-121 is a higher-speed roadway.

9. US 380 & TX-5 (N. McDonald St.): A High-Risk Intersection for McKinney Drivers

US 380 & TX-5 experienced 11 car accidents in 2023. Located on the eastern edge of McKinney, this intersection is a major crossroads for both highway traffic and local drivers accessing nearby businesses. US 380 is a multi-lane highway, while TX-5 connects to various stores and neighborhoods.

Factors that likely contribute to accidents here include:

• Traffic mix: The intersection handles fast-moving highway traffic alongside slower local traffic turning into businesses, leading to potential speed misjudgments.
• Congestion: Peak times see heavy traffic volume, creating a greater chance for sudden stops and lane changes.
• Potential confusion: Drivers unfamiliar with the area might be unsure of lane designations and traffic flow.
• Negligence: Common issues include tailgating, running red lights, and failing to signal properly.

The types of accidents likely at this intersection are T-bone collisions, rear-end crashes, and sideswipes. Given the speeds common on US 380, injuries in collisions here have the potential to be severe.

8. US 380 & Community Ave.: Beware of Bottlenecks

The intersection of US 380 and Community Avenue had 11 car accidents in 2023.

Located in eastern McKinney, US 380 & Community Ave sees a significant mix of traffic volumes due to a blend of commercial areas and residential neighborhoods. This intersection includes multiple turn lanes and access points for local businesses.

Here’s why accident rates are higher at this spot:

• Sudden bottlenecks: Traffic flow can be unpredictable, leading to abrupt stops and lane changes.
• Misjudging speeds: Drivers on the highway may not anticipate slower traffic turning into businesses.
• Distracted driving: Motorists might be focused on navigating businesses rather than the road itself.
• Negligence: Potential issues could include aggressive lane changes, distracted driving, and misjudging traffic speeds.

The most likely accidents at this intersection are rear-end collisions and sideswipes. While speeds on US 380 can be higher, the potential for severe injuries varies depending on the specific circumstances of a crash.

7. S. Custer Rd. & Stacy Rd.: Navigating a Busy Intersection

S. Custer Road and Stacy Road saw 11 car accidents in 2023. Situated close to TPC Craig Ranch and the surrounding neighborhoods, this intersection experiences heavy volumes of local traffic, It features multiple turn lanes and access roads for both residential and commercial areas.

Here’s what makes this a dangerous intersection:

• High traffic volume: Local residents and those heading to TPC Craig Ranch create a steady flow of vehicles, increasing the chance of collisions.
• Potential misjudgments: Drivers may misjudge the flow of traffic when turning across multiple lanes.
• Impatience: Drivers in a rush might make risky maneuvers like improper lane changes or running red lights.
• Negligence: Common issues include failing to yield the right-of-way, improper lane changes, and misjudging traffic speeds.

The types of accidents likely to occur here include sideswipes, T-bone collisions, and rear-end accidents. The severity of injuries will depend on the speed of the vehicles, the angle of impact, and other factors.

6. US 380 & Woodland Rd.: A Risky Crossroads

US 380 & Woodland Rd. witnessed 13 car accidents in 2023. Located east of central McKinney near Wattley Park, this intersection handles a mix of high-speed highway traffic and local drivers turning into or out of the park area. This intersection includes access lanes for drivers entering or exiting US 380.

Here’s why this intersection sees a higher accident risk:

• Speed differentials: Fast-moving traffic on US 380 combined with slower vehicles turning into the park creates the potential for misjudgments and collisions.
• Negligence Potential problem behaviors include speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield when entering or exiting the highway.

Given these factors, the most likely accident types at this intersection include rear-end collisions, side-impact accidents, and crashes involving turning vehicles. Due to the potential for higher speeds on US 380, injuries in accidents at this location could be severe.

5. W. Eldorado Pkwy. & Orchid Dr.: Hazards Near Retail Centers

W. Eldorado Pkwy. & Orchid Dr. experienced 13 car accidents in 2023. Located near Eldorado Plaza, this intersection likely sees heavy traffic from shoppers and individuals accessing businesses in the area. The intersection layout likely includes multiple lanes, dedicated turning lanes, and entry/exit points for the shopping center.

Here’s why this intersection has a higher accident risk:

• Heavy shopping traffic: Shoppers might be focused on entering or exiting the plaza, increasing the potential for collisions with other vehicles.
• Distracted driving: Drivers might be preoccupied with navigating store locations or finding parking spaces.
• Negligence: Common issues include failure to yield, improper turns, and distracted driving.

Likely accidents at this intersection include sideswipes, rear-end collisions, and crashes involving vehicles entering or exiting the plaza area. Injuries will vary depending on the speed of the vehicles and the type of collision, but the potential for injury always exists.

4. US 380 & Hardin Blvd.: Congestion and Commuters

US 380 & Hardin Blvd. saw 17 car accidents in 2023. This major intersection lies close to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center at McKinney, a university campus, and a Raytheon campus. The result is a significant mix of commuter traffic, hospital visitors, and students, all navigating multiple lanes and turn signals.

The following factors contribute to the higher risk of accidents:

• Heavy traffic volume: Peak hours bring a surge of vehicles, increasing the chances of collisions due to congestion and impatient drivers.
• Lane changes: Drivers may make sudden lane changes to access the hospital, university, or businesses near the intersection.
• Negligence Potential problem behaviors include speeding, running red lights, distracted driving, and aggressive maneuvers.

This location might see various types of accidents, including T-bone collisions, rear-end crashes, and sideswipes. Given the higher speeds possible on US 380, there’s a potential for severe injuries in a crash at this intersection.

3. Harry McKillop Blvd. & S. McDonald St.: Mixed Traffic and Hazards

Harry McKillop Blvd. & S. McDonald St. witnessed 19 car accidents in 2023. Located close to Pecan Grove Cemetery, the Greens of McKinney, and the Collin County Regional Airport, this intersection sees a mix of local traffic and drivers heading to or from the airport. The area likely has multiple lanes, turn lanes, and dedicated airport access roadways.

Here’s why this intersection has a higher accident risk:

• Diverse traffic flow: The combination of local residents, those visiting the cemetery, and airport-bound traffic creates a potentially unpredictable mix of speeds and driving patterns.
• Merging lanes: Drivers merging to access the airport or nearby destinations may have to navigate sudden lane changes.
• Negligence: Potential issues could include running red lights, unsafe lane changes, failure to yield, and distractions related to navigating the airport area.

This intersection is likely to experience side-impact collisions, rear-end accidents, and crashes involving turning vehicles. There’s a potential for a range of injuries, depending on the speed of the vehicles and the specific circumstances of the crash.

2. I-75 & Virginia St.: Challenges near Downtown McKinney

I-75 & Virginia St. experienced a concerning 26 car accidents in 2023. This major intersection serves as a gateway to historic downtown McKinney and sits near the West Hill Shopping Center, Westgate Shopping Center, and McKinney High School. It features multiple lanes on Virginia St. along with entry and exit ramps for I-75 traffic.

Here’s a breakdown of why it’s a dangerous spot:

• Heavy traffic volumes: Traffic heading to downtown, the shopping centers, and the high school all converge here, creating congestion and potential bottlenecks.
• Sudden lane changes: Drivers entering or exiting I-75 might switch lanes abruptly, contributing to the risk of accidents.
• Negligence Potential issues include speeding on I-75, unsafe lane changes, running red lights, and failing to yield.

This intersection is likely to see a variety of accidents, including sideswipes, rear-end collisions, and crashes involving merging vehicles. Due to the potential for higher speeds on I-75, injuries at this location could, unfortunately, be severe.

1. I-75 & US 380 (University Dr.): McKinney’s Most Dangerous Intersection

The intersection of I-75 & US 380 (University Dr.) takes the unfortunate title of the most dangerous in McKinney, with a concerning 67 car accidents in 2023.

This highly trafficked area includes Cameron Crossing, Collin College Central Park, Cameron Crossing Shopping, and McKinney North High School. It’s a complex intersection with Interstate traffic, highway traffic, commercial traffic, and numerous turn lanes.

Here’s why this intersection tops the list:

• Extremely high traffic volume: The sheer number of vehicles from the Interstate, the highway, shoppers, and students creates a constant flow of traffic and increased collision potential.
• Complex traffic patterns: Merging lanes, sudden turns, and multiple traffic lights add to the difficulty of navigating this area safely.
• Potential distractions: Drivers might be focused on finding businesses or navigating the college campus.
• Negligence: Likely issues here include speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and failure to follow traffic signals.

This intersection has the potential for a wide range of accidents, including severe T-bones, rear-end collisions, sideswipes, and crashes involving merging or turning vehicles. Due to the high speeds common on both I-75 and US 380, there’s a significant risk of major injuries in crashes at this location.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help After a McKinney Car Accident

If you’ve been injured in a crash at one of these intersections – or anywhere in McKinney – an experienced car accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve. A lawyer can assist with:

• Investigating the accident: Determining fault and gathering evidence to support your claim.
• Handling insurance companies: Negotiating with insurers to secure a fair settlement.
• Filing a lawsuit (if necessary): Taking your case to court if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation.
• Seeking compensation: This may include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to your injury.