Which intersection has the most accidents in Memphis?

While official rankings vary by year, the intersection of Lamar Avenue and Shelby Drive consistently ranks among the most dangerous in Memphis. Other perennial high-accident intersections include Summer and Mendenhall, Poplar and Perkins, Winchester and Hickory Hill Road, and Elvis Presley Blvd and Brooks Road.

Can I sue the city of Memphis if a dangerous intersection caused my accident?

In some cases, yes. If a government entity failed to maintain a road, fix known hazards, or install proper signage and signals, they may bear partial liability. However, claims against government entities in Tennessee have special notice requirements and shorter deadlines. An attorney can evaluate whether a government liability claim applies to your situation.

How does Tennessee comparative fault affect intersection accidents?

Tennessee follows modified comparative fault rules. If you are found partially at fault — for example, if you were speeding or distracted — your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. However, you can still recover as long as you are less than 50% responsible. Insurance companies often try to assign blame to victims; an attorney can challenge unfair fault determinations.

What if there were no witnesses to my intersection accident?

Even without eyewitnesses, evidence such as traffic camera footage, dashcam video, cell phone records, vehicle black box data, skid marks, and damage patterns can help establish what happened. An experienced attorney knows how to obtain and preserve this evidence before it is lost.

How much time do I have to file a claim after an intersection accident?

Tennessee has a one-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, one of the shortest in the country. This deadline applies from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline means losing your right to compensation entirely, so it is critical to contact an attorney as soon as possible.

Most Dangerous Intersections in Memphis

Memphis Roads Are Among the Most Dangerous in Tennessee

Memphis consistently ranks among the most dangerous cities for traffic accidents in the United States. With a road network built for a smaller population, aging infrastructure, and a rapidly growing suburban footprint, Memphis drivers face daily hazards that many other cities have addressed through modern road design. Certain intersections see an outsized number of serious and fatal crashes year after year. If you drive in Memphis, knowing these locations can help you stay safe — and knowing your rights can protect you if the worst happens.

Lamar Avenue & Shelby Drive

This intersection in southeast Memphis is consistently one of the deadliest in the city. Both Lamar Avenue and Shelby Drive carry heavy traffic volumes, and the intersection's complex geometry creates blind spots and confusion for drivers. Red-light running is rampant at this location, leading to devastating T-bone collisions. The corridor also has significant pedestrian traffic with inadequate crosswalk infrastructure.

Summer Avenue & Mendenhall Road

The intersection of Summer Avenue (US-64) and Mendenhall Road in East Memphis sees heavy commercial and commuter traffic throughout the day. Multiple turn lanes, a high volume of trucks serving nearby businesses, and aggressive driving through the commercial corridor make this intersection a frequent site of serious crashes. The nearby presence of hospitals and medical offices means ambulances often navigate this intersection, adding to the traffic complexity.

Poplar Avenue & Perkins Road

Poplar Avenue at Perkins Road is one of the busiest intersections in East Memphis. Located near Chickasaw Oaks Plaza and the Poplar-Perkins commercial district, this intersection generates constant turning traffic from shoppers and commuters. Left-turn accidents and rear-end collisions during rush hour are especially common. Pedestrians crossing Poplar at this location face significant danger from drivers making fast turns.

Winchester Road & Hickory Hill Road

The heart of the Hickory Hill community, this intersection on Winchester Road serves as a major crossroads for the southeast Memphis area. Heavy traffic, frequent signal violations, and high pedestrian activity — particularly from residents walking to and from bus stops and nearby shopping centers — create a persistent pattern of both vehicle and pedestrian crashes.

Elvis Presley Boulevard & Brooks Road

In the Whitehaven area, Elvis Presley Boulevard at Brooks Road carries a volatile mix of tourist traffic heading to Graceland, local commuters, and commercial vehicles. The intersection lacks adequate turn lanes for the volume it handles, and the combination of unfamiliar tourists and fast-moving local traffic leads to frequent broadside and rear-end accidents.

Stage Road & Bartlett Boulevard

In Bartlett, the intersection of Stage Road and Bartlett Boulevard serves as the commercial heart of the suburb. Shopping center traffic, school zone proximity, and commuters cutting through residential areas create a dangerous mix. Morning and afternoon school hours bring additional pedestrian and bus traffic that compounds the hazard.

Austin Peay Highway & Range Line Road

In the Raleigh area of north Memphis, Austin Peay Highway at Range Line Road handles heavy traffic volumes from the Raleigh Springs commercial area. The intersection has been flagged for improvement by the city, but accidents continue to occur at alarming rates, particularly during evening hours when lighting is poor.

What to Do If You Are Injured at a Dangerous Intersection

If you are injured in a crash at any Memphis intersection, take these steps: call 911 and document the scene, seek immediate medical attention, do not admit fault or give recorded statements to insurance companies, and contact an experienced Memphis personal injury attorney. Tennessee's one-year statute of limitations means you must act quickly to protect your rights.

Contact Wells & Associates

Attorney Murray B. Wells has more than 20 years of experience handling personal injury cases throughout Memphis and Shelby County. We know these intersections, we know the courts, and we know how to fight for maximum compensation. Call 901-808-0000 for a free consultation.