Last Updated on June 10, 2025

Most Dangerous Roads in Buffalo

Buffalo is Western New York's largest city and has some of the most dangerous roads in the State that require greater caution from drivers.

Buffalo, as the largest city in Western New York, faces a unique set of traffic safety challenges. With heavy traffic flowing through downtown, commercial zones, and residential neighborhoods, the city contends with everything from complex intersections to areas where nightlife and vehicle traffic intersect. While Buffalo has made commendable strides in pedestrian safety in recent years, several roads and intersections still pose significant dangers to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

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Car Accident Lawyers in Buffalo

If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a car accident anywhere in Buffalo, you need to know that you have rights and options for getting the compensation you deserve. The Porter Law Group works with car accident victims throughout New York State, and we understand how overwhelming it can feel when you're dealing with injuries, medical bills, insurance companies, and trying to figure out what to do next. Our team knows New York's traffic laws inside and out, and we're committed to helping accident victims get fair compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Here's what makes the Porter Law Group different: we offer completely free consultations with no obligation whatsoever. That means you can sit down with our experienced team, tell us what happened, and get honest advice about your case without paying a penny upfront. We also work on what's called a contingency fee basis – which simply means you don't pay us any attorney fees unless we successfully get you compensation. This way, you can get experienced legal help during one of the most difficult times in your life without worrying about how you'll afford it. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options, and view the results we've achieved for previous clients throughout the State.

Buffalo's Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections

Main Street and Bailey Avenue: Where Heavy Traffic Creates Constant Risk

Traffic safety experts consistently rank the intersection of Main Street and Bailey Avenue among Buffalo’s most dangerous. This intersection is a perfect storm of everything that can make driving dangerous: heavy traffic from multiple directions, numerous lanes requiring frequent lane changes, and a high volume of pedestrian activity from bus riders to shoppers and local residents crossing the street.

What makes this intersection particularly tricky is that drivers often don't expect how complex it can be until they're right in the middle of it. You might be driving down Main Street thinking you're on a straightforward route, but suddenly you need to navigate around buses picking up passengers, pedestrians crossing at different points, and other drivers trying to turn left or right while traffic builds behind them. During rush hour, the chaos intensifies as everyone is trying to get where they need to go quickly.

The high number of accidents at this intersection isn't just about the volume of traffic – it's about how many different things are happening at once. When you have buses stopping, people walking, cars turning, and traffic lights controlling multiple directions of traffic, there are countless chances for things to go wrong. Even cautious drivers can find themselves in dangerous situations when other people make unexpected moves or when visibility gets blocked by larger vehicles.

Niagara Street and Tonawanda Street: When You Can't See What's Coming

The intersection of Niagara Street and Tonawanda Street poses a different kind of danger: poor visibility. Traffic experts point to significant “sight line issues,” meaning buildings, signage, parked cars, or other obstacles prevent drivers from seeing oncoming traffic, pedestrians, or cyclists until it’s too late.

This problem becomes more severe during Buffalo’s winter months, when snowbanks block views, and in low-light conditions such as early morning, rainy days, or evenings. Drivers approaching this intersection might think they have a clear view of cross traffic, only to discover too late that another vehicle or pedestrian was hidden from their view.

What makes visibility problems so serious is that they often catch even good drivers off guard. You might be following traffic rules, driving at safe speeds, and paying attention to the road—yet still end up in a serious accident simply because you couldn’t see the hazard in time to avoid it. These types of crashes often happen at relatively high speeds because drivers don't have time to slow down or stop once they finally see the danger.

Elmwood Avenue and North Street: Rush Hour Nightmare

Elmwood Avenue and North Street become especially dangerous during peak traffic hours. What’s normally a manageable intersection transforms into a high-risk zone, as congestion disrupts traffic flow and driver frustration begins to mount.

During rush hour, drivers face several risks. Some grow impatient and take chances—running yellow lights, making abrupt lane changes, or tailgating. Others may lose focus in stop-and-go traffic, failing to react in time when vehicles slow or stop suddenly.

Time pressure turns otherwise cautious drivers into risk-takers. Running late for work or appointments, people may make split-second decisions they’d typically avoid, like trying to beat a red light or making a turn without fully checking for pedestrians or cross-traffic. Unfortunately, these moments often result in serious collisions.

Delaware Avenue and Chippewa Street: Where Nightlife and Traffic Don't Mix

The intersection of Delaware Avenue and Chippewa Street highlights a unique traffic challenge: the collision between nightlife and vehicle flow. This area becomes especially hazardous in the evening and late-night hours, when bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues are busiest, and both drivers and pedestrians may be impaired or distracted.

Nightlife traffic risks differ from daytime hazards. Pedestrians leaving bars or restaurants may cross streets without caution. Drivers who have been drinking might have slower reaction times or make poor decisions about speed, following distances, or right-of-way rules. Even sober drivers can find themselves in dangerous situations when they encounter unexpected pedestrian activity or erratic behavior from other drivers.

What makes this intersection particularly concerning is that these dangers peak at night—when visibility is already limited and emergency response may be slowed by crowds. Accidents in nightlife areas often involve a volatile mix of alcohol, poor lighting, heavy foot traffic, and sometimes aggressive or emotional behavior, all of which can escalate minor incidents into serious emergencies.

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Contact a Buffalo Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident on any of Buffalo's busy roads or dangerous intersections, you don't have to handle the legal and insurance complications on your own. The Porter Law Group has extensive experience representing car accident victims throughout New York State, and we understand the specific challenges that come with accidents on roads like Main Street and Bailey Avenue, the Elmwood Avenue corridor, or any of Buffalo's other high-risk areas. Our team is dedicated to helping accident victims understand their rights and pursue the full compensation they deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

The period after a car accident can feel overwhelming. You're dealing with injuries, medical appointments, insurance companies calling for statements, bills piling up, and the stress of not knowing how you're going to manage financially while you recover. The Porter Law Group provides experienced legal advocacy during this challenging time, handling all communications with insurance companies, investigating what really happened in your accident, and building the strongest possible case for getting you the compensation you need and deserve.

Don't let insurance companies pressure you into accepting a settlement that doesn't fully cover your injuries and losses. Insurance companies are businesses, and their goal is to pay out as little as possible on claims. You need someone on your side who understands the true value of your case and won't back down from fighting for what's fair. Contact the Porter Law Group today at 833-PORTER9 or email info@porterlawteam.com to learn how we can help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve following a car accident in Buffalo. Your initial consultation is completely free, and our experienced team is ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

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Michael S. Porter
Personal Injury Attorney
Originally from Upstate New York, Mike built a distinguished legal career after graduating from Harvard University and earning his juris doctor degree from Syracuse University College of Law. He served as a Captain in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, gaining expertise in trial work, and is now a respected trial attorney known for securing multiple million-dollar results for his clients while actively participating in legal organizations across Upstate NY.
Legally Reviewed on June 6, 2025
Eric C. Nordby
Personal Injury Attorney
Eric, with nearly three decades of experience in personal injury litigation, holds a law degree with honors from the University at Buffalo School of Law and a Bachelor's Degree from Cornell University. His extensive career encompasses diverse state and federal cases, resulting in substantial client recoveries, and he actively engages in legal associations while frequently lecturing on legal topics.
This Article Was Professionally Reviewed
This page was Legally Reviewed by Eric C. Nordby on June 6, 2025. Our experts verify everything you read to make sure it's up to date. For information on our content creation and review process read our editorial guidelines. If you notice an error or have any questions about our content please contact us.
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