Sepulveda Blvd. & Sherman Way | Los Angeles

The intersection of Sepulveda Boulevard and Sherman Way is historically one of the most dangerous intersections in Los Angeles. Located a city block east of Interstate 405, this intersection is the site of dozens of auto accidents each year.

Sepulveda Boulevard’s six lanes of north/south traffic become eight lanes, with two left turn lanes onto Sherman Way in both directions. Sherman Way’s six lanes also become eight at this intersection with two left turn lanes for traffic heading north or south onto Sepulveda.

What Makes Sepulveda Blvd and Sherman Way A Dangerous Intersection?

In 2020, more than 45 serious accidents happened at this intersection, and it’s accumulated almost 500 accidents over the past ten years. That’s about one accident per week at this dangerous Los Angeles intersection alone.

There are no intersections in the City of Los Angeles with more accidents since 2010 than Sepulveda Boulevard and Sherman Way.

Here are some of the reasons that make this intersection one of the most dangerous places in Los Angeles.

Location

Located just off the Sherman Way exit from the San Diego Freeway (I-405), the intersection at Sepulveda is host to some of the closest gas stations and restaurants to the freeway.

In addition, Sepulveda Blvd is one of the most heavily trafficked streets in Los Angeles; and Sherman Way hosts even more vehicles per hour.

The amount of traffic and convenience stops combined already make this a very dangerous intersection; but other factors add to the risks.

Right Turn On Red

Most intersections in Los Angeles allow right turns on stop lights, so long as the turning driver has stopped and verified that they are clear to turn. However, drivers don’t always operate in the safest fashions.

The Barnes Firm’s best lawyers in Los Angeles have seen drivers inch-out into oncoming traffic, or not stop at all while attempting a right hand turn. Even if the vehicle is stopped, if the front end is in the oncoming at all, it could present a dangerous situation.

Our top Los Angeles lawyers have experience reconstructing these crash scenes to show exactly what happened and why. Our evidence will dictate what happened in a crash – not what the other driver says.

Left Turn Lanes

Making a left hand turn is often the most dangerous maneuver in a vehicle. At heavily trafficked intersections, city planners often install left turn lanes to help guide the flow of traffic. Some of the busiest intersections may host DOUBLE-turn lanes. These side-by-side turning lanes guide two rows of traffic through an intersection.

Here’s what makes the double turn lane dangerous at Sepulveda Blvd and Sherman Way: drivers making a right turn at a red light may not stop to notice those making a left turn. Since there are two turn lanes, it could put some of the turning traffic on a collision course with other drivers attempting to make a right hand turn.

Speed

One of the dangers of heavily trafficked intersections is that you don’t know what to expect.

There could be pedestrians crossing the road in any direction. They can often be hidden by other vehicles and difficult to see, so speed is an important factor to analyze after any crash at Sepulveda Blvd. and Sherman Way.

The speed limit on Sherman Way is 35 mph – but the speed limit on Sepulveda Blvd is 40 mph. This difference in speed may also be a factor, as vehicles coming from Sepulveda Blvd may be moving faster than vehicles coming from Sherman Way.

In addition, not all drivers follow the speed limit. Going faster than the posted speed can often have disastrous consequences when heading into an intersection. Let our best lawyers in Los Angeles analyze your accident for FREE so you can best decide how to proceed with your case.

What to Do If You’re Involved In An Accident

The hazardous intersections at Sepulveda and Sherman Way underscore the heightened risk of car accidents. A Los Angeles personal injury lawyer is essential in such cases, diligently advocating for victims to secure compensation for injuries and damages caused by these perilous traffic spots.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident at Sherman Way and Sepulveda Boulevard, or any other intersection in Los Angeles, The Barnes Firm’s best injury lawyers are here to help 24/7.

We’ll get the best experts in your area to help reconstruct your accident to show the other driver was at fault, and that the accident caused your injuries. This process has helped The Barnes Firm recover the best results possible.

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

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