The Most Dangerous Roads in St. Pete

Nestled between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico along the coast of Florida, St. Petersburg offers an idyllic location to live or visit. Like all cities, however, St. Pete has its share of motor vehicle accidents. Completely avoiding high accident areas may be unrealistic; however, knowing the roads and intersections where accidents tend to occur can decrease the likelihood of being involved in an accident.

St. Pete car accident lawyer Dennis Hernandez understands the devastating impact a collision can have on injured victims and their families. Along with physical injuries, victims frequently experience emotional trauma and financial hardship following a motor vehicle accident. Along with urging you to use caution when navigating the roadways in and around St. Pete, attorney Dennis Hernandez has compiled a list of the most dangerous roads in St. Pete to help you steer clear of the most problematic areas when possible.

Common Accident Locations in the St. Pete Area

Located in Pinellas County, St. Petersburg is the fifth-most populous city in Florida and the second-most populous city in the Tampa Bay area. With a population of almost three million residents, the Tampa Bay area is the second-largest metropolitan area in Florida. Data compiled by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLSMV) indicates that there were 14,818 motor vehicle accidents in Pinellas County in 2023, resulting in 111 deaths and over 9,000 injuries. Common accident locations in the St. Pete area include:

• US-19: US-19 is a major thoroughfare that runs south down the Gulf Coast of the Sunshine State until it ends in St. Petersburg. For decades, motorists have navigated bumper-to-bumper traffic, along with impatient and often aggressive drivers, along US-19. Several of the county’s most dangerous intersections, particularly for pedestrians, can be found along US-19, specifically between 9^th Ave. N. and 26^th Ave. S. In one recent year (2019), half of the fatal accidents along US-19 were pedestrian accidents.
• 38^th Avenue: A major east-west route across the Pinellas peninsula, 38^th Avenue joins several other heavily traveled roadways, including US-92, I-275, and US-19. The exit ramp from I-275 onto 38^th Avenue typically sees a high number of car accidents each year.
• Central Avenue: Along with being one of the few roadways that traverses the entire peninsula from Tampa Bay to the beaches, many popular tourist attractions can be accessed via Central Avenue, making it one of the busiest roads in St. Pete. In an average year, a high number of pedestrian accidents occur along Central Avenue where Central Avenue passes through downtown between 2^nd Street N. and 4^th Street N.
• SR-693/66th Street N: Another heavily traveled roadway, SR-693, also known as 66^th Street N., can be difficult to navigate where it intersects with US-19 near 22^nd Ave. N. Along with confusing traffic patterns, the area is home to numerous popular retail stores, increasing the sheer volume of vehicles traveling along the roadway in an average day.
• 5^th Ave. N./Alt US-19: Many of the most dangerous intersections in Pinellas County can be found along 5th Ave. N. (which also becomes Alt US-19), a popular east-west roadway running through the heart of St. Petersburg.

What Can I Do to Help Prevent Being Involved in a Car Accident?

Knowing which roads and intersections are among the most dangerous in St. Pete can certainly help you avoid a collision; however, there are additional steps you should take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe, such as:

• Avoid Distractions: Distracted driving has always been a frequent contributing factor in motor vehicle accidents; however, the prevalence of cell phones has dramatically increased the number of distracted driving accidents. Avoid anything that takes your eyes off the roadway, your hands off the wheel, or your mind off the task of driving.
• Stay Alert: Experts tell us that driving while sleep-deprived is as dangerous as driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Get sufficient sleep before a road trip and pull over at a hotel or rest stop the moment you start to feel your eyes drooping shut.
• Keep Your Distance: Maintain enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you to stop quickly should the need arise. The same concept applies to keeping enough distance between you and the vehicle behind you.
• Avoid Nighttime Driving: Along with increasing the likelihood that you will be driving drowsy, driving at night reduces your visibility and increases your odds of being involved in an accident.
• Drive Defensively: A little planning and a lot of awareness can go a long way toward keeping you safe on the roadways. Plan out your route ahead of time when taking a road trip and remain vigilant while driving. Scan the road ahead and behind you on a regular basis so you can react quickly should a threat appear.

What Should I Do If I Was Injured in a St. Pete Accident?

The aftermath of a car accident can involve physical and emotional pain as well as financial hardship. Fortunately, you do not have to go it alone. Dennis Hernandez, a St. Pete car accident lawyer Dennis Hernandez is here to assist you. If the negligence of another party (or several parties) contributed to the accident, that party may be held accountable for your injuries and you may be entitled to compensation for your physical and emotional suffering, as well as any financial strain you have endured. At Dennis Hernandez & Associates, our team is dedicated to using our expertise, capabilities, and resources to ensure you receive fair compensation for all your injuries suffered in a St. Pete car accident.

To take the first step toward getting the compensation you need by calling St. Pete car accident lawyer Dennis Hernandez today at 855- 529-3366 or fill in the FREE CASE EVALUATION form on this page. We will provide expert legal advice and services free of charge until you WIN your case.”