Most Dangerous Street Crossings in Portland
Like every city across the country, pedestrian safety in Portland poses a critical issue. The number of injury-causing pedestrian accidents has risen sharply in the area. The attorneys at Schauermann Thayer have achieved numerous large verdicts and settlements for clients in pedestrian accident cases.
Although the state and city governments have tried to take measures to make dangerous intersections safer, they cannot seem to stem the surge in serious pedestrian accidents. In particular, there are numerous dangerous intersections along SE Powell Boulevard and Burnside Street, both of which have heavy traffic volumes.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a pedestrian accident, the attorneys at Schauermann Thayer can fight for your legal rights. Call us today to schedule a free initial consultation.
The Infamous Intersections: A Closer Look
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety, Portland ranks 96th out of 225 cities for pedestrian traffic fatalities. This data does not tell the entire story. The data suggests that, from 2017 to 2021, pedestrian fatalities rose 46%. For every accident fatality, numerous other incidents result in serious injuries that can change a pedestrian’s life forever.
Ranked by the number of pedestrian accidents, the data suggests that SE Powell Blvd. is the most dangerous street in Portland. SE Powell Blvd. is an urban arterial roadway that traverses from the Willamette River to Gresham. SE Powell travels under I-205, and there is a major interchange between the two roads.
Why SE Powell Is So Dangerous for Pedestrians
According to data from the Oregon Department of Transportation, each day, nearly 21,000 cars travel on SE Powell Boulevard. There have been numerous fatal pedestrian accidents along SE Powell in the past year, including a fatal January 2023 accident at SE Powell and 50th Avenue.
There are numerous dangerous points on SE Powell Boulevard. Perhaps the most hazardous intersection is SE Powell and 26th Ave. This intersection is where Cleveland High School is located. The increased pedestrian traffic at a very busy point on the road makes SE Powell very difficult to cross, which is exactly what students do on their way to and from school. Until recently, there was very little signage in the area.
In October 2022, a pedestrian was struck in a hit-and-run accident just four blocks from where Cleveland High is located. In fact, SE Powell and 31st Street had the second-highest number of pedestrian accidents in Portland from 2015 to 2019.
Recently, officials have tried to make the area around Cleveland High School safer, including lowering the speed limit to 20 miles per hour during school hours, installing pedestrian signals, and instituting photo enforcement of the speed limit.
Burnside Street Poses Dangers to Pedestrians
The data suggests that intersections in Portland along Burnside Street are roughly as dangerous as those on SE Powell. The street is one of Portland’s busiest, traversing nearly 18 miles from Burnside Bridge to Gresham. Burnside Street is a major connector between the east and west business corridors, meaning it is heavily traveled. Near its beginning, Burnside Street travels through the busy Old Town neighborhood. The street was intended to be the main east-west axis road for the city.
From 2017 to 2021, the data suggests that twenty pedestrian accidents caused serious injury or death on Burnside Street. One particularly dangerous area is the intersection between West Burnside Street and 3rd Avenue. From 2015 to 2019, eleven pedestrian accidents caused injuries.
This area is located in the immediate vicinity of the heavily traveled Burnside Bridge. Here, West Burnside has two lanes in each direction with a tree-shaded median. Pedestrians must cross a large distance without too much time. Further, the combination of heavy tree cover and few streetlights could impair driver visibility.
Pedestrian Accidents and Injuries
Oregon law considers every intersection a crosswalk, regardless of whether it is marked. The pedestrian is deemed to have entered the crosswalk when any part of their body crosses onto the roadway.
When a pedestrian has the right-of-way in a crosswalk, the driver must stop, and remain stopped, until the pedestrian has cleared their lane and the lane next to them. When a car is turning at a traffic signal, the driver must not proceed until the pedestrian has cleared the lane the driver is turning into and six feet of the adjacent lane. Drivers can be fined $250 if they fail to stop for a pedestrian.
Pedestrians who are struck by cars may suffer serious injuries. Nothing typically protects a pedestrian from direct impact with the car. They may be thrown into the car’s windshield or down to the ground.
Pedestrian accident injuries can include:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
Injured pedestrians can suffer a broad range of damages. They could sustain economic damages that represent their accident-related expenses, and the wages they could not earn because of their injuries. They may also endure non-economic damages due to the ordeal of the accident and what they go through afterward.
Contact a Portland Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
It can be crucial to contact an attorney as soon as possible after an accident. The pedestrian accident attorneys at Schauermann Thayer are standing by and ready to go to work with you. Call us today at (360) 695-5244 to speak to an attorney during a free initial consultation.
