Hit at One of Tampa’s Most Dangerous Intersections? Here’s What A Tampa Car Accident Attorney Recommends You Do Next

If you live in Tampa, then you already know that traffic is getting a whole lot heavier by the day. More people are moving here, more tourists are visiting, and our roads are struggling to keep up. Unfortunately, with all that growth comes something else…more crashes at intersections.

In fact, Tampa car accident data shows just how serious the problem is. According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Florida recorded 702,162 total crashes, 97,902 hit-and-runs, and 3,495 fatalities in 2024 alone. That’s a staggering number, and a big portion of those happened at intersections right here in Hillsborough County.

Intersections are where everything comes together…cars, lights, turns, speed, distractions, and they’re where things often go wrong. If you were injured at one of these busy, dangerous intersections, we are here to give you the help that you need.

A Tampa car accident attorney can help you understand what happened, protect your rights, and guide you toward recovery. And that starts with knowing what to do next. Let’s take a look at this together.

Why Tampa Intersections Are So Dangerous

Intersections are where everything comes together, and that’s exactly why things go wrong. You’ve got cars turning left, drivers rushing to beat yellow lights, others that are distracted by their phones or GPS, and some people that are just flat-out confused about who has the right of way. Add in some merging traffic and tight timing, and it’s no surprise these spots can be so risky.

In Tampa, the risk climbs even higher. We’re a growing city with a lot of tourists. That means we have a lot of drivers on our streets who don’t know our roads, miss their exits, make last-minute turns, or slow down trying to read street signs. When you combine that with already congested areas, it becomes a recipe for rear-end crashes, T-bone collisions, and some very serious injuries.

The Federal Highway Administration reports that about 50% of all crashes and 25% of traffic fatalities happen at or near intersections. That’s half of all accidents happening in places you drive through every single day.

A Florida car accident lawyer understands just how complicated intersection crashes are, and why proving what really happened is often the key to winning your claim.

Tampa’s Most Dangerous Intersections

Some intersections in our area are consistently ranked among the most dangerous in Florida because of high-speed traffic, confusing layouts, and constant congestion. These are the places where crashes happen again and again.

Here are just a few of the intersections where we see the most accidents, and where we’ve helped many clients recover after serious collisions:

Hillsborough Ave & Sheldon Rd (Town ’N’ Country)

This intersection is a high-speed zone that handles both local and through traffic. Drivers often misjudge left turns, and the limited visibility during rush hour makes things worse.

Waters Ave & Himes Ave

Congested and aggressive, this area is packed with drivers cutting across lanes and trying to beat lights. Left turns are tricky here, and rear-end crashes happen often.

Dale Mabry Hwy & Columbus Drive

One of the busiest intersections in central Tampa. Heavy commercial traffic, multiple turning lanes, and stop-and-go patterns lead to frequent side-impact and rear-end collisions.

Bruce B. Downs Blvd & Fletcher Ave (near USF)

This area sees a constant flow of students, locals, and out-of-towners. Heavy volume and multiple crosswalks increase the chances of both vehicle and pedestrian accidents.

Bloomingdale Ave & Bell Shoals Rd (Brandon)

A high-volume suburban intersection with complicated traffic patterns and lots of turning vehicles. It’s especially dangerous during morning and evening commutes.

Kennedy Blvd & Westshore Blvd

Tourist traffic, airport access, and business traffic all converge here. Drivers are often unfamiliar with the area, which leads to hesitation, sudden stops, and unsafe lane changes.

I-4/I-275 Downtown Interchange (aka “Malfunction Junction”)

Technically a highway interchange, but it functions like an enormous intersection. Merging confusion, speed differentials, and design flaws make this one of the most crash-prone spots in the state.

Each of these intersections has been flagged in local crash reports, police logs, and traffic safety data. If you were injured at one of these (or any other dangerous intersection) a car accident lawyer in Tampa can help you understand your options and gather the proof you need.

At Mickey Keenan, we’ve helped clients recover after crashes at these exact spots. We know what causes them, where evidence can be found, and how to hold the right party accountable.

What to Do If You’re Hit at a Dangerous Intersection

Getting hit at a Tampa intersection can feel like everything stops and speeds up at the same time. It’s confusing, scary, and very overwhelming, but what you do in the first few hours and days after the crash can make a big difference in your recovery and your case.

Here’s what we recommend:

Step 1: Call 911 Immediately

Make sure the police are called to the scene. Their report will document who was there, what they saw, and what traffic violations occurred. This report is a very important piece of evidence, especially in intersection crashes where both sides may argue over who had the right of way.

Step 2: Get Medical Treatment Right Away

If you have been injured, it’s important to get checked by a medical professional right away. Some injuries (like whiplash, concussions, or internal damage) can take time to show symptoms. Delaying care can not only worsen your condition, but it can also delay your claim.

Step 3: Take Photos and Videos of Everything

• Use your phone to document:
• Where the cars ended up
• The traffic signals
• Skid marks or road debris
• Weather conditions
• Any damage to the vehicles

Intersections change quickly, and capturing the scene right away helps accurately document your version of what happened.

Step 4: Get Witness Contact Info

People at red lights, nearby sidewalks, or even in other cars often see what happened. Get their names and phone numbers if you can. Independent witnesses are often key in proving who had the right of way.

Step 5: Notify Your Insurance Company – But Do Not Give a Recorded Statement

You do need to report the crash to your insurer, but you’re not required to give a recorded statement right away. Insurance companies often use these statements to twist your words or try to shift the blame onto you.

Florida now follows the 51% comparative fault rule, which means if you’re found to be more than 50% at fault, you can’t recover any compensation. That’s why early mistakes, delays, or poor documentation can seriously hurt your case.

Before you speak with the insurance company, it’s always smart to talk to a Tampa car accident attorney who knows how intersection crashes work and how fault is determined.

At Mickey Keenan, our team includes experienced auto accident attorney in Tampa who can help guide you through the process and protect you from getting blamed for something that wasn’t your fault.

When You’re Hurt, Let a Local Attorney Handle the Heavy Lifting

After a crash at one of Tampa’s high-risk intersections, you shouldn’t have to fight through all of the legal red tape or insurance pushback on your own. A Tampa car accident attorney steps in right away to protect your rights, gather up the evidence, and keep things moving in the right direction while you focus on healing.

We collect everything, such as police reports, surveillance footage, medical records, and witness statements, in order to build a clear and powerful claim. When needed, we work with experts in accident reconstruction, black box data analysis, and roadway safety to show exactly what happened and why it wasn’t your fault.

We also make sure you’re protected from the traps of Florida’s 51% rule, where being blamed for even just over half of the accident means you may recover nothing. Insurance companies know how to use this rule against you, and we know how to stop them.

At Mickey Keenan, we’re your local Tampa team. We know these intersections (because we drive them every day), we know the tactics insurers use, and we know how to help you move forward.

If you were hit at one of Tampa’s most dangerous intersections, call Mickey Keenan today, your trusted Tampa car accident attorney. We’ll take it from here…so you can focus on getting your life back.