The most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in Springfield are also among the highest-risk for motor vehicle accidents overall. This is not unusual, as pedestrian and car accidents often share the same root causes. These include distracted driving, speeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, along with road design factors like high traffic volume and narrow medians that leave less room for error.
A Springfield pedestrian accident attorney at Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien evaluates your claim based on injury severity and the other factors specific to your case. Our attorneys identify all potential defendants, gather evidence, and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to pursue full compensation for your losses. With attorneys serving Missouri residents since 1984, you pay no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Springfield’s High-Risk Intersections
In Springfield, roads are maintained by either the city’s Public Works Department or the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). Of the eleven intersections with the highest number of crashes in 2024, nine were on MoDOT-maintained roads, and two were on city-maintained roads.
South Campbell Avenue
South Campbell Avenue is among the most problematic corridors in Springfield for crashes. The intersection of South Campbell and Grand Street ranks as Missouri’s third-highest intersection for pedestrian crashes.
The segment of Campbell from Sunshine Street to Minota Street ranks as the city’s second-highest location for accidents, and the segment from Republic Road to Walnut Lawn has the highest number of crashes on the city network outside of intersections.
National Avenue and Sunshine Street
National Avenue and sections of Sunshine Street are also identified among Springfield’s most crash-prone corridors. Citywide, failure to yield to pedestrians was a factor in 25 of Springfield’s 61 pedestrian crashes in 2024.
Understanding Pedestrian Accident Risk in Springfield
While each hot spot has its own layout and traffic pattern, most of Springfield’s most dangerous intersections for pedestrians share a handful of common risk factors.
- High-speed arterial roads with heavy traffic volume. Springfield’s own pedestrian safety study found that arterial roadways with higher speeds, higher traffic volumes, and narrow medians present a heightened danger to pedestrians. South Campbell Avenue, National Avenue, and Glenstone Avenue are examples of Springfield arterials that carry both heavy traffic and everyday pedestrian activity.
- Confusing intersection layouts. Several of Springfield’s high-crash locations, including the Campbell Avenue and US 60 westbound off-ramp and the Kansas Expressway interchanges, involve ramps and multiple turn lanes. The Federal Highway Administration notes that intersections must be designed with pedestrians explicitly in mind to be safe, since this kind of complexity gives drivers more to watch and more chances to miss a pedestrian crossing their path.
- Poor visibility. Blind spots from trees, parked vehicles, or inadequate lighting at night are a commonly cited factor in reduced reaction time for both drivers and pedestrians.
- Long or unmarked pedestrian crossings. Wide intersections without marked crosswalks or pedestrian signals increase a pedestrian’s exposure time in the roadway.
Building Your Case with Local Crash Data
When a crash happens at one of these high-risk locations, the city’s own crash data, traffic camera footage, and safety records can become evidence in your case. Our attorneys gather police reports, review intersection-specific crash history, and pursue camera or telematics footage from the responsible agency when available. This documentation can establish how a dangerous intersection contributed to your injuries and who bears responsibility for the crash.
While Missouri generally allows five years to pursue a personal injury claim, camera footage and other crash records are often retained for a much shorter period. Contacting an attorney as soon as possible gives our team the best chance of securing this evidence before it disappears
Contact a Springfield Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you were seriously injured by a negligent or reckless driver, the Springfield pedestrian accident attorney team at Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien, P.C. has represented injured Missourians since 1984 from offices in St. Louis, Joplin, and Springfield. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case, and you pay no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Most pedestrian accident cases are resolved through settlement, but our attorneys will litigate your case if the insurance company fails to agree to a reasonable settlement amount.