At The Slocum Firm, we are dedicated to keeping Philadelphia safe. If you have been injured in an accident, call us for a free case review. You could be entitled to significant compensation.

Navigating Philadelphia’s bustling streets can be a daunting experience for pedestrians, and unfortunately, some areas in the city are more prone to accidents than others. With its vibrant neighborhoods, heavy traffic, and frequent construction, Philadelphia presents unique challenges for both drivers and pedestrians. Understanding where these hotspots are located is crucial for both preventing accidents and ensuring that victims know where to seek help if an unfortunate incident occurs. 

As leading Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyers from The Slocum Firm, we recognize the significant impact that these high-risk areas can have on pedestrian safety. Our goal is to raise awareness about these dangerous zones and provide valuable information on how to stay safe while walking in the city. By pinpointing these accident-prone areas, we aim to help pedestrians make more informed decisions about their routes and confidently navigate Philadelphia’s streets. 

In this guide, we will explore the common pedestrian accident hotspots across Philadelphia, analyzing the factors that contribute to their danger and offering practical advice on how to mitigate risks. 

We will also discuss the legal aspects of pedestrian accidents, including what to do if you find yourself in a dangerous situation and how a skilled Philadelphia pedestrian accident attorney can assist you in seeking justice and compensation. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities, and understanding these high-risk areas is an essential step toward achieving both.

Vision Zero in Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s Vision Zero Action Plan is an ambitious initiative aimed at eliminating traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries throughout the city. Launched in 2018, this comprehensive plan reflects a growing commitment to enhancing road safety and fostering a more pedestrian-friendly environment. The Vision Zero Action Plan is part of a broader global movement that seeks to reduce traffic deaths to zero, recognizing that every fatality and serious injury is preventable.

The plan encompasses a wide range of strategies designed to address various aspects of traffic safety. Key components include infrastructure improvements, such as the installation of safer crosswalks, enhanced street lighting, and the development of protected bike lanes. 

These measures are intended to create safer road environments for all users, particularly vulnerable groups like pedestrians and cyclists. The Vision Zero Action Plan also emphasizes the need for better traffic enforcement and the adoption of new technologies to monitor and manage traffic flow more effectively.

Education and public awareness are also crucial elements of the Vision Zero Action Plan. The city works to promote safe driving behaviors and raise awareness about the importance of pedestrian safety through various campaigns and outreach programs. By educating both drivers and pedestrians, Philadelphia aims to reduce risky behaviors and foster a culture of road safety.

Additionally, the Vision Zero Action Plan is supported by data-driven approaches to identify high-risk areas and implement targeted interventions. This data helps prioritize safety improvements in neighborhoods and intersections with the highest incidence of traffic accidents. The plan is continually reviewed and updated based on new data and feedback, ensuring that it remains responsive to the evolving needs of the community.

Overall, Philadelphia’s Vision Zero Action Plan represents a significant step toward making the city’s streets safer for everyone. While achieving zero traffic fatalities is an ambitious goal, the plan’s comprehensive approach provides a solid foundation for reducing accidents and improving road safety in the long term. As the city continues to implement and refine its strategies, the commitment to Vision Zero underscores the importance of creating a safer and more equitable transportation system for all residents.

Worst Spots for Pedestrian Accidents in Philadelphia

Recent research has identified Philadelphia’s most hazardous locations for pedestrians, pinpointing specific intersections where accidents are most frequent. The study analyzed pedestrian accident and injury data in order to determine the city’s most perilous areas. 

The Vision Zero initiative, launched by Philadelphia in 2016, aims to achieve zero traffic-related deaths by 2030. This data is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of the Vision Zero program by directing resources and safety measures to the areas with the highest accident rates.

According to the study, over a four-year period, Philadelphia reported approximately 13,000 pedestrian-related crashes, resulting in 385 fatalities. This extensive data has enabled researchers to create detailed maps highlighting the city’s accident hotspots. By focusing on these high-risk zones, the city can better address the factors contributing to pedestrian accidents and implement targeted interventions designed to improve safety and work toward the Vision Zero goal.

Here are some of the most dangerous intersections in Philadelphia based on a study of pedestrian accidents:

• N Broad St & Cecil B Moore Ave: Leading with 43 crashes, this intersection had no fatalities but reported five major injuries and a total of 45 injuries.
• N Broad St & Erie Ave: This area recorded 38 crashes, resulting in 2 deaths and four major injuries, with a total of 37 injuries.
• N 2nd St & W Lehigh Ave: Notably dangerous, this location saw 35 crashes, with six fatalities and two significant injuries, contributing to a total of 32 injuries.
• Frankford Ave & Bridge St: There were 34 crashes here, causing one death, three major injuries, and a total of 39 injuries.
• Broad St & Vine St: This spot experienced 33 crashes, with one death, three major injuries, and 32 total injuries.
• Market St & S 52nd St: This intersection had 32 crashes, with no deaths or major injuries, and 32 total injuries.
• Market St & S 69th St (Upper Darby Township): This area reported 31 crashes, no deaths, one major injury, and 31 total injuries.
• N Broad St & W Girard Ave: This location saw 30 crashes with no fatalities, two major injuries, and 30 total injuries.
• Sansom St & South Juniper St: This area reported 29 crashes, no deaths, one major injury, and 29 total injuries.
• W Girard & N Front St: This intersection had 23 crashes, one death, two major injuries, and 23 total injuries.
• N Broad St & W Olney Ave: This spot reported 23 crashes, with no deaths, two major injuries, and 23 total injuries.
• N Broad St & Windrim Ave: This area experienced 21 crashes, with no fatalities, three major injuries, and 22 total injuries.
• N Broad St & Lehigh Ave: There were 21 crashes, two deaths, one major injury, and 21 total injuries.
• E Allegheny Ave & Kensington Ave: This location had 20 crashes, no deaths, three major injuries, and 24 total injuries.
• John F. Kennedy Blvd & N 17th St: This area reported 20 crashes, with no deaths, no major injuries, and 20 total injuries.
• N Broad St & Roosevelt Blvd: This intersection saw 19 crashes, with no fatalities, three major injuries, and 21 total injuries.
• Market St & N 11th St: There were 18 crashes here, with one death, two major injuries, and 19 total injuries.
• W Cheltene Ave & Wayne Ave: This area had 18 crashes, with no deaths or major injuries, and 18 total injuries.
• S Broad St & Locus St: Reporting 17 crashes, this location had no fatalities, 1 major injury, and 17 total injuries.
• Chestnut St & S 16th St: This spot experienced 16 crashes, with no deaths, two major injuries, and 16 total injuries.
• Race St & N 10th St: This area had 16 crashes, with no fatalities, one major injury, and 16 total injuries.
• John F. Kennedy Blvd & N 16th St: Reporting 16 crashes, this intersection had one death, one major injury, and 17 total injuries.
• Arch St & N 12th St: This location saw 16 crashes, with one death, one major injury, and 16 total injuries.
• N Broad St & W Westmoreland St: This area had 16 crashes, no deaths, no major injuries, and 21 total injuries.
• N 5th St & W Olney Ave: This intersection experienced 16 crashes, with no deaths, one major injury, and 17 total injuries.

The study identified these intersections as high-risk areas due to the frequency of accidents and injuries. Out of the 25 zones analyzed, N 2nd St & W Lehigh Ave had the highest number of fatalities, exceeding the death count of other areas, where most reported between zero and four fatalities. Broad St appears repeatedly in these rankings, reflecting its hazardous nature for pedestrians. 

The high traffic volume, automobile-centric design, limited sidewalk space, and insufficient crosswalk timing contribute to the dangerous conditions on Broad St. These factors highlight the need for improved pedestrian safety measures in these critical areas.

Philadelphia’s Most Dangerous Street

Studies have clearly identified the most hazardous pedestrian area in the Philadelphia metropolitan region as the intersection of Cecil B. Moore Avenue and North Broad Street, situated in the Cecil B. Moore neighborhood of North Philadelphia. This location has experienced 43 pedestrian accidents, resulting in 45 injuries, including five serious ones.

This intersection is adjacent to Temple University, the largest university in Philadelphia, and the surrounding area has recently earned the nickname “Templetown” due to the rapid gentrification and expansion driven by the university’s presence. 

The influx of around 40,000 students and the increased traffic in this vibrant and revitalized district contribute to the high number of pedestrian incidents at this intersection. The bustling environment and heavy foot traffic likely play a significant role in the frequent accidents observed in this area.

Broad Street, a major north-south thoroughfare cutting through Philadelphia, is notorious for its high volume of traffic and pedestrian accidents. This wide road, designed primarily for vehicles with its broad lanes and limited pedestrian amenities, frequently sees pedestrian collisions. In fact, it ranks prominently, with 3 out of the top 5 and 10 out of the top 25 accident hotspots located along this busy street. 

One reason Broad Street experiences such a high rate of pedestrian accidents is its design, which heavily favors vehicle movement. The road features expansive lanes, limited sidewalk space, and crosswalk timing that often prioritizes vehicle speed and traffic efficiency over pedestrian safety. Despite recent improvements aimed at enhancing pedestrian protection, the road’s primary focus remains on facilitating smooth traffic flow.

Additionally, the presence of the Broad Street SEPTA subway line, which runs parallel to the street, contributes to the accident rate. The subway, which had around 147,000 daily riders in 2018, provides a popular alternative for commuters, but its frequent stops along Broad Street lead to congested pedestrian intersections. These subway stations, located at various points along the street, create areas of high foot traffic, further exacerbating the risk of pedestrian accidents.

Notably, every intersection in the top 25 most dangerous zones on Broad Street also has a subway stop, highlighting the correlation between the subway system and increased pedestrian density at these critical locations.

Talk to a Philadelphia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Philadelphia, securing experienced legal representation is crucial to navigating the complexities of your case. At The Slocum Firm, our dedicated team of Philadelphia pedestrian accident lawyers understands the unique challenges that come with such cases and is committed to providing the personalized and aggressive advocacy you need. 

We recognize the physical, emotional, and financial toll that an accident can take on you and your family. By leveraging our extensive knowledge of Philadelphia’s pedestrian laws and our proven track record of securing favorable outcomes, we strive to ensure that you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.

Don’t face the aftermath of a pedestrian accident alone. Reach out to The Slocum Firm today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Our compassionate attorneys are here to listen, advise, and guide you through every step of the legal process. 

We take all accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so that means you will never be asked to pay upfront for our services. Instead, we only get paid if we are able to secure compensation for you, and your payment will be made as a previously-agreed upon percentage of your final settlement or verdict award.

Call us now at (570) 209-7376 or fill out our online contact form to discuss your case and learn how we can assist you in achieving the best possible outcome. Your path to recovery and justice begins with a simple call. Let us help you take that crucial first step.