E 138th St & Alexander Ave | Dangerous Intersections

The intersection of E 138th St & Alexander Avenue is often considered the most dangerous intersection in the Bronx, and it’s often on lists of the most dangerous intersections in all of New York City.

Located just off I-87 (Major Deegan Expressway), this intersection has a lot of traffic coming and going from the high-speed expressway, and with nearby subway stations, there’s also heavy foot traffic present in this area. Adding to the chaos, the New York City Police Department and other facilities require access to this intersection for emergency purposes. Altogether, making this one of the most dangerous in New York.

What Makes E 138th St & Alexander Ave A Dangerous Intersection?

More than 100 crashes happen at the intersection of E 138th St and Alexander Avenue every year.

That’s about two accidents every week at this intersection alone; and there have been nearly 400 crashes here over the past four years.

The Barnes Firm’s best accident lawyers in the Bronx have determined some of the risks associated with this area:

Location

Just off the Major Deegan Expressway, 138th Street is heavily trafficked by vehicles of all types. Alexander Avenue intersects E 138th Street just west of the Madison Ave Bridge.

Adding to the traffic congestion, and perhaps just as important of a component, there are two nearby subway stations at the 3rd Avenue/138th Street Station and at the Brook Avenue station just blocks away.

The final component making this intersection’s location a hazard would be nearby emergency services. NYPD’s 40th Precinct is located on the corner of E 138th Street and Alexander Avenue; and the Lincoln Medical Center is not far away either. With so many emergency vehicles potentially using these surface streets, traffic must be more prepared for sudden stops.

Pedestrian Traffic

With multiple subway stations nearby, Alexander Avenue and E 138th St are some of the most heavily trafficked streets for pedestrians in the Bronx. Nearby businesses, residential areas, schools, and churches also increase the foot traffic in this area of NYC.

Additionally, while there are dedicated crosswalks for pedestrians, traffic often blocks these pathways, adding to the potential for an accident.

Parking Angles

Another one of the unique dangers about this intersection are its odd parking angles.

While some vehicles are parked traditionally (with the flow of traffic), other parking spaces are angled or perpendicular to the roadway. In some cases, these vehicles take up sidewalk space from pedestrians.

With the NYPD precinct located at this corner, many of the vehicles parked here have done so with permission of the NYPD, but removing these vehicles from the street can pose many risks and challenges. For example, vehicles exiting perpendicular parking spaces must take much more time in doing so.

Finally, double-parking can create risky situations for other drivers, who may need to cross the double-yellow line to get around double-parked vehicles.

Right Turns

Motorists at this intersection are not prohibited from making right turns on a red traffic light. At typical intersections, this can be done with little risk, but at this intersection there are several factors to consider:

1. Lines of sight make it difficult to see oncoming traffic
2. Parked vehicles can further obstruct the view of oncoming traffic
3. Pedestrians attempting to use the crosswalk may be blocked by a vehicle attempting a right-hand turn
4. There may be pedestrians using the crosswalk in the direction that motorists are going

All of these add to the risk of getting into a serious car accident. If that happens, you can count on The Barnes Firm’s best lawyers to get the job done right.

What to Do If You’re Involved In An Accident
If anyone has been injured at the intersection of E 138th St and Alexander Ave, have them call our best injury lawyers in the Bronx NOW. Our team of experienced lawyers can help gather the evidence you need to recover the best result possible.

Our top attorneys in NYC will work with the best experts in your area to make sure you’re recovering the maximum compensation you’re owed.

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

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