2nd Avenue & E 59th Street | Dangerous Intersections

The intersection of 2nd Avenue and E 59th Street is one of the most dangerous intersections in Manhattan – and it’s often on the list of most dangerous intersections in New York City.

Located just off the Queensboro Bridge, this intersection is heavily trafficked with vehicles entering and exiting the bridge that connects Manhattan to Queens. Surface streets meet bridge traffic at this intersection. With nearby parks and businesses, there’s also a lot of foot traffic around 2nd Avenue and E 59th Street, making it very dangerous for pedestrians and drivers alike.

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What Makes 2nd Avenue & E 59th Street a Dangerous Intersection?

More than 150 car crashes occur at the intersection of E 59th Street and 2nd Avenue every year.

That’s almost three accidents each week at this intersection alone. This has long been a nightmare intersection for pedestrians, who are often put at risk by drivers coming to and leaving the Queensboro Bridge.

The Barnes Firm’s best accident lawyers in Manhattan have assembled some of the reasons that make this crossing so dangerous:

Location

Perhaps most importantly, what makes the intersection at 2nd Avenue and E 59th Street so dangerous is its proximity to the Queensboro Bridge.

The Queensboro Bridge hosts an average of over 145,000 vehicles per day; and most of these vehicles will need to pass through the intersection at 2nd Avenue and E 59th Street.

It’s one of just three traffic routes directing drivers from Queens to Manhattan and back. With so much traffic running through this intersection, accidents are destined to happen.

Merging Traffic Patterns

While most intersections are built at 90-degree angles, that’s not the case at 2nd Avenue and E 59th Street in Manhattan. With so much traffic heading to the Queensboro Bridge, drivers are often required to merge into other lanes that may have oncoming traffic from both vehicles and pedestrians.

Since traffic is heavy in this area, it’s common for vehicles to block lanes trying to merge onto the surface streets.

This creates many issues – not only does it impede the flow of traffic; it also creates dangerous situations and odd blind spots for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Merging Traffic Patterns

While most intersections are built at 90-degree angles, that’s not the case at 2nd Avenue and E 59th Street in Manhattan. With so much traffic heading to the Queensboro Bridge, drivers are often required to merge into other lanes that may have oncoming traffic from both vehicles and pedestrians.

Since traffic is heavy in this area, it’s common for vehicles to block lanes trying to merge onto the surface streets.

This creates many issues – not only does it impede the flow of traffic; it also creates dangerous situations and odd blind spots for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Pedestrian Traffic

Drivers have a huge responsibility to maintain control of their vehicle at all times. This becomes more complicated in areas where a lot is going on.

That’s the case at the corner of 2nd Avenue and E 59th Street. Not only do drivers have heavy traffic to contend with; they also have pedestrians and bicyclists using the streets too.

The combination of heavy foot traffic and vehicular traffic make this intersection particularly dangerous.

Left Turns

Left-hand turns are the most dangerous maneuver a driver can execute. At the corner of E 59th Street and 2nd Avenue, One-Way streets often prohibit some left turns, but some drivers are directed by left-turn lights.

Unfortunately, some of these left-turn lights may direct traffic into crosswalks and bike lanes, who may also have a green light.

Laws require drivers to yield the right of way to pedestrians and bicyclists, but when traffic lights are helping direct, some drivers may not be fully aware of the traffic on the road ahead of them.

Left Turns

Left-hand turns are the most dangerous maneuver a driver can execute. At the corner of E 59th Street and 2nd Avenue, One-Way streets often prohibit some left turns, but some drivers are directed by left-turn lights.

Unfortunately, some of these left-turn lights may direct traffic into crosswalks and bike lanes, who may also have a green light.

Laws require drivers to yield the right of way to pedestrians and bicyclists, but when traffic lights are helping direct, some drivers may not be fully aware of the traffic on the road ahead of them.

What to Do If You’re Involved In An Accident

If you know someone who’s been hurt in a traffic accident at 2nd Avenue and E 59th Street, our best accident lawyers in NYC can help you get compensation to cover things like repairs, medical bills, lost time at work, transportation costs, and more.

Our best attorneys in New York will work with the best experts in your area to make sure you’ll recover the best result possible.

Have a question for our top lawyers? Call now. Our help is free.

The Barnes Firm (800) 800-0000