Like many busy metropolitan areas across the U.S., Chicago sees its fair share of car accidents each year. Collisions can happen anytime, anywhere, but there are certain areas of the city that are far more dangerous than others. Below, Power Rogers has organized the latest car accident data available so you can pinpoint where the accident hotspots in Chicago are located and how you can adjust your route accordingly.
What Areas of Chicago Have the Highest Crash Density?
If you’ve spent time driving in Chicago, you may already be familiar with some of the high-traffic areas of the city, where accidents tend to occur the most. Here are the top three parts of the city which have the highest crash density:
Central Business District: The Central Business District is generally considered the most dangerous area to drive in Chicago. This neighborhood is known for heavy congestion, especially on weekends, as many of Chicago’s tourist attractions are concentrated in this area. Sadly, this also includes pedestrian traffic, many of whom are injured or killed by negligent driving.
West Side: The West Side is second in high crash density due to its network of major thoroughfares, including I-290 and arterial roads like Cicero Ave. These areas often see a mix of high-speed expressway traffic and local residential vehicles, increasing the likelihood of collisions.
South Side: While The South Side has a reputation for violent crime, for the most part, it’s motor vehicle accidents that make up the majority of injuries and fatalities in this part of town. This is likely due to the mix of commercial and residential streets including Lake Shore Drive, which saw the highest number of driving fatalities compared to any other street in Chicago.
Top 5 Most Dangerous Streets in Chicago
Now that we’ve gone over which areas of Chicago are more prone to accidents, it’s also a good idea to be aware of the specific streets where you may be at higher risk. Below are the top five most dangerous streets in Chicago which had the largest number of accidents in 2024, according to the Chicago Data Portal.
1. Western Avenue
Western Ave, which stretches 23 miles throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, is generally considered the busiest and most dangerous road in Chicago. In 2024 alone, Western Ave saw 3,104 accidents resulting from a variety of factors, including poor weather conditions with low visibility and the frequency of heavy traffic with multiple high-speed intersections. That being said, while the number of accidents that occurred in 2024 on Western Ave outnumbered any other street, it is worth mentioning that it was still outnumbered in terms of injuries and deaths, with 717 injuries and 2 fatalities.
2. Pulaski Road
Pulaski Road runs through several densely populated residential neighborhoods, including Archer Heights and North Lawndale, increasing not only the likelihood of hitting another vehicle but also a pedestrian or cyclist. Several intersections in school zones and commercial shopping centers on Pulaski Road are particularly known for the incidence of crashes, including Pulaski Road and Archer Ave where Curie High School is located. All in all, Pulaski Road saw 2,755 crashes in 2024 with 723 injuries and 5 fatalities.
3. Cicero Avenue
Cicero Ave is primarily known by Chicagoans as the quickest route to Midway Airport, but it also runs through several high-traffic industrial areas. Because Cicero Ave connects Midway Airport to some of Chicago’s most highly traveled areas such as the Central Business District, many tourists who are unfamiliar with Chicago’s unique layout or who are inexperienced with driving in the snow and ice can inadvertently cause major accidents in these areas. In 2024, Cicero Ave saw 2,585 car accidents with 618 injuries and 2 fatalities.
4. Ashland Avenue
Ashland Avenue cuts through the heart of Chicago, connecting neighborhoods like Bridgeport, Wicker Park, and Rogers Park. Like Pulaski Road, Ashland Avenue’s mix of residential, commercial, and industrial zones contributes to a high volume of cars, bikes, and pedestrians, which means a much smaller margin when it comes to avoiding serious accidents. If drivers on Ashland Ave had a few extra lanes to work with, the number of accidents per year would likely fall, but this highly congested street’s sections are narrow in addition to being lined with parking and bus and bike lanes. According to the most recent data, Ashland Ave saw a total of 2,453 accidents, including 633 injuries and 3 fatalities, in 2024.
5. Halsted Street
While Halsted Street avoids some of Chicago’s more notable tourist attractions, it still traverses a number of dense neighborhoods like South Loop and ultimately ranks fifth in terms of total number of accidents. Notably, Halsted Street saw 6 driving-related fatalities in 2024, making it the second most dangerous street for fatal car accidents in Chicago after Lake Shore Drive. In total, there were 2,089 accidents and 603 injuries on Halsted Street in 2024.
What the City is Doing to Improve Traffic Safety?
While many of the issues surrounding congestion and traffic can be chalked up to outdated infrastructure that requires many years of planning and funding to correct, there are many smaller steps that the City of Chicago has taken to curb traffic accidents for the future. A few of these smaller-scale efforts include the introduction of elevated crosswalks, concrete-protected bike lanes, and more visible intersections.
Infrastructure is always an area that can be improved when it comes to driver and pedestrian safety in larger cities, but it’s far from the only problem that drivers and pedestrians face in Chicago. According to recent data, the vast majority of driving fatalities in Chicago over the past several years were the result of reckless driving. One way that the city has attempted to improve on this issue is by increasing driver education efforts through the CDOT SAFE Ambassadors program.
Tips for Staying Safe on Chicago Roads
Apart from the efforts made by the city to increase safety for drivers and pedestrians alike, there are many steps you can also take to avoid an accident while navigating Chicago streets:
- Plan your route: One of the major sources of distractions for inner-city drivers is looking at a GPS or cell phone for directions. If possible, try to memorize or visualize your route before stepping into your car to limit the amount of times you take your eyes off the road.
- Understand weather conditions: An important part of planning your route also includes knowing when it’s safe to drive and when it’s better to stay home. Chicago has some of the harshest weather in the country including hail, windstorms, and heavy rain, snow, and ice.
- Drive the speed limit: When planning your route, research the speed limit in the areas where you’ll be driving and avoid exceeding it.
- Keep up with maintenance: Ensure your car is in good working condition. Check your brakes, tires, and lights regularly, as Chicago’s roads can be rough on vehicles.
- Take public transportation when possible: If driving seems too risky, consider using Chicago’s extensive public transit system to get to your destination. In many cases, this is usually considered the safest and even fastest option when navigating downtown Chicago.
If You’ve Been in a Car Accident in Chicago, Let’s Talk
While these tips are good practice for any driver in Chicago, they’re not foolproof. As we’ve gone over, 84% of fatal accidents in Chicago stem from reckless driving, and while the city’s efforts to increase safety may curb these accidents, the issue at heart lies with Chicagoans and their ability to follow local traffic laws.
If you’ve suffered a critical accident in Chicago, it’s likely that another driver is to blame. Unfortunately, this isn’t always fairly represented in your settlement amount, especially if you’re without effective legal counsel. Regardless of where you are in the process, Power Rogers is here to help. Our legal team has recovered over $5 billion for our clients through meticulous litigation. Contact our firm for a free case evaluation.
