What Are The Most Dangerous Intersections in Fort Collins?

TL;DR

●  College Avenue and Drake Road is Fort Collins' most dangerous intersection based on crash frequency and severity

●  Lemay and Harmony, Timberline and Harmony, and College and Horsetooth all rank among the city's highest-risk locations

●  Fort Collins reports roughly 3,000 crashes per year, with 10-14% involving serious injuries or fatalities

●  The US 287 corridor north of Fort Collins is one of Colorado's deadliest highway segments

●  If you've been injured at any of these intersections, a Fort Collins car accident lawyer can help you recover compensation

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Fort Collins logs around 3,000 reported crashes every year. That number has dropped slightly since the pandemic, but here's the troubling part: the percentage of crashes that result in serious injuries or deaths has gone up. We see this trend in our practice, and our hometown's own Vision Zero Fort Collins initiative confirms it. When crashes happen at certain intersections in this city, the consequences are severe.

If you've been hurt at one of these high-risk locations, or anywhere else in Fort Collins, you need to understand what you're up against and what your legal options are.

The Single Most Dangerous Intersection: College Avenue and Drake Road

According to Fort Collins' 2022 Annual Roadway Safety Report, College Avenue and Drake Road takes the top spot as the most dangerous intersection Fort Collins drivers face. This intersection doesn't just have a high number of crashes. It has a high number of severe crashes, the kind that send people to the hospital or worse.

The city's crash data measures something called "excess expected crash cost," which factors in both how often crashes happen and how bad they are when they do. College and Drake leads that metric. We've represented clients who were hurt at this intersection, and the pattern is consistent: high traffic volumes, complex turning movements, and driver behavior that doesn't match the conditions.

Other High-Risk Fort Collins Intersections

Lemay Avenue and Harmony Road

Lemay and Harmony ranks near the top in excess crash cost. The daily traffic here is staggering, and the Fort Collins crash statistics show elevated numbers of injury and fatal crashes compared with what you'd expect for an intersection of this type. The mix of through traffic, turning vehicles, and pedestrian crossings creates constant risk.

Timberline Road and Harmony Road

This is Fort Collins' busiest intersection by daily vehicle count. The sheer volume of cars means more opportunities for things to go wrong, and they do. Rear-end collisions are especially common here, often caused by drivers who misjudge stopping distances or get distracted in heavy traffic. A Fort Collins intersection accident at Timberline and Harmony can involve multiple vehicles and complex liability questions.

College Avenue and Horsetooth Road

College and Horsetooth has a history. It used to be the most dangerous intersection in the city before a major improvement project wrapped up in 2019. The redesign helped, and crash numbers dropped enough that it lost the number one spot. But it's still a focal point in safety reports, and it still shows up in our caseload. Improvements help, but they don't eliminate risk.

Emerging Hot Spots

The city flags additional locations where crash costs are rising sharply compared with prior years. Lemay and Riverside is one example. JFK Parkway and Harmony is another. These are what the city calls "emerging hot spots," and they matter because they show where conditions are getting worse, not better.

Why These Intersections Are So Dangerous

All of these high-risk intersections sit on what Fort Collins calls the High Injury Network. These are the arterial corridors that account for the bulk of fatal and serious-injury collisions in the city. They share common features: high speed limits, heavy traffic volumes, multiple lanes, and complex movements where drivers have to make quick decisions.

The Federal Highway Administration reports that intersection crashes account for roughly 40% of all reported crashes nationwide and about 20% of fatal crashes. In Fort Collins, the numbers track with those national trends, but certain intersections exceed expectations because of local factors like design, traffic patterns, and driver behavior.

If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, call us at 866-377-3800 or schedule a free consultation at www.metierlaw.com.

The US 287 Corridor: A Deadly Stretch Beyond City Limits

When Fort Collins residents think about dangerous roads, they often focus on in-town intersections. But there's another hazard that matters just as much: US 287 north of the city.

A crash hotspot analysis of Colorado highways identifies the stretch of US 287 from its junction with Colorado Highway 14 north of Fort Collins up to the Wyoming border as one of the state's deadlier road segments. In a recent five-year period, this corridor saw hundreds of crashes and multiple fatalities. Statewide CDOT crash data confirms that higher-speed rural and semi-rural highway segments contribute disproportionately to fatal outcomes compared with lower-speed city streets.

For Fort Collins drivers, this means both the in-town US 287 corridor (which runs along College Avenue) and the northbound highway segment are higher-risk routes. US 287 accidents often involve head-on collisions, rollovers, and other high-speed crash types that result in catastrophic injuries.

What the Data Means for Drivers and Crash Victims

Fort Collins' Vision Zero Action Plan aims to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by focusing resources on the High Injury Network arterials. That's the right goal, but it doesn't change the reality that people are getting hurt at these intersections right now.

If you've been in a College and Drake accident, or a crash at any other dangerous Fort Collins intersection, you're dealing with more than just vehicle damage. You're facing medical bills, lost wages, pain, and uncertainty about what comes next. The at-fault driver's insurance company will try to minimize your claim. They'll argue that the crash wasn't that bad, or that you're exaggerating your injuries, or that you share some of the blame.

That's where a Fort Collins car accident lawyer makes a difference. We know these intersections. We know the crash patterns. We know how to investigate what happened, document your losses, and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a crash at a dangerous Fort Collins intersection?

Get medical attention first, even if you think you're fine. Adrenaline masks injury symptoms. Then document the scene if you can: take photos, get witness names, and file a police report. Contact a Fort Collins car accident lawyer before you talk to any insurance adjuster.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for the crash?

Yes. Colorado follows a modified comparative fault rule. As long as you're less than 50% at fault, you can recover damages. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you're not barred from recovery.

How long do I have to file a claim after a Fort Collins intersection accident?

Colorado's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally three years from the date of the crash. But you shouldn't wait. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget details, and insurance companies use delay against you.

What if the dangerous intersection had a design flaw that contributed to my crash?

Government entities can sometimes be held liable for dangerous road conditions, but due to Colorado law these claims have strict notice requirements and shorter deadlines. They are often very difficult to pursue, so If you believe a design flaw played a role, you need to act quickly.

How much does it cost to hire a Fort Collins car accident lawyer?

We work on a contingency fee basis. You don't pay any fees unless we recover compensation for you. There's no upfront cost, and we cover all case expenses.

What You Should Do Next

The most dangerous intersections Fort Collins has to offer aren't going to fix themselves overnight. Vision Zero is a long-term plan. In the meantime, people keep getting hurt. If you're one of them, you need someone in your corner who knows how to fight for injury victims.

Our attorneys have been doing this for over 30 years. We've handled cases at College and Drake, Lemay and Harmony, and every other high-risk intersection in this city. We know what your claim is worth, and we know how to prove it.

Call Metier Law Firm at 866-377-3800 or schedule your free consultation today at www.metierlaw.com.

Disclaimer: Past results discussed should not be considered a guarantee of your results as the factors of every case are individually unique. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney from Metier Law Firm regarding your individual situation for legal advice.