What Are the Most Dangerous Intersections for Pedestrians in Austin, Texas?
Austin is one of the most walkable cities in Texas, but it is also one of the most dangerous for people on foot. Every year, dozens of pedestrians are struck and killed at intersections across the city, and hundreds more suffer life-changing injuries. If you or someone you love has been hurt while walking in Austin, the pedestrian accident lawyers at Shaw Cowart have been fighting for injured Texans for 34 years and know how devastating these cases can be.
Pedestrian crashes account for only about 3 percent of all traffic collisions in Austin, but they are responsible for roughly 28 percent of all serious injury and fatal crashes — the highest rate among major Texas cities. That statistic alone tells you everything about how vulnerable people on foot are when a driver fails to yield, runs a red light, or blows through a crosswalk. The personal injury attorneys at Shaw Cowart have seen families torn apart by crashes at some of the intersections listed below, and they understand the legal options available to pedestrian accident victims in Travis County.
Austin has invested heavily in safety improvements through its Vision Zero program, yet pedestrian deaths have not decreased. Pedestrian accident lawyers across the city continue to see the same intersections appear in case after case, year after year. Understanding where the danger is highest can help you protect yourself — and knowing your legal rights can help you recover if the worst happens.
The Deadliest Pedestrian Intersections in Austin
Based on crash data from the Austin Transportation Department, the Austin Police Department, and the city’s Vision Zero program, several intersections stand out as the most consistently dangerous for people walking.
I-35 and Riverside Drive
The interchange where Interstate 35 meets Riverside Drive is one of the highest-volume pedestrian areas in the city. Drivers exiting the highway at speed frequently fail to check crosswalks before making right turns. The wide lanes and multiple turning movements make it extremely difficult for pedestrians to cross safely, particularly during rush hours and at night. State roads like I-35 account for 65 to 75 percent of all traffic fatalities in Austin, according to the Vision Zero 10-year report.
6th Street and Congress Avenue
Downtown Austin sees heavy foot traffic every day of the week, and on weekend nights, the 6th Street entertainment district is packed with pedestrians. Distracted and impaired drivers navigating through crowds create a recipe for tragedy. This intersection has recorded dozens of collisions involving pedestrians over the past decade, and several have been fatal.
North Lamar Boulevard at Rundberg Lane
This intersection is a known hot spot for aggressive driving and dangerous lane changes, particularly during rush hour. Poor visibility and high-speed approaches leave pedestrians with almost no margin of error. Three people were arrested in connection with a deadly pedestrian crash on North Lamar in July 2025, according to KXAN reporting.
Guadalupe Street Near the University of Texas Campus
Tens of thousands of UT students cross Guadalupe Street every day. Heavy student foot traffic mixed with drivers unfamiliar with the area creates a particularly volatile situation. Distracted driving and distracted walking both contribute to collisions here. A man died after a crash on Guadalupe Street in August 2025.
Cesar Chavez Street Corridor
The Cesar Chavez corridor runs through the heart of downtown and has been the site of multiple fatal pedestrian crashes. On Christmas Eve 2025, 35-year-old Joseph Capulong Katigbak was struck and killed at the intersection of West Cesar Chavez Street and Sandra Muraida Way at 5:55 p.m. He was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead on Christmas morning, according to APD.
William Cannon Drive at Menchaca Road
This south Austin intersection sees an alarming number of T-bone collisions from drivers running red lights. High-speed approaches give drivers insufficient time to stop safely, and pedestrians attempting to cross are caught in the middle of fast-moving traffic.
East Koenig Lane
On January 5, 2026, 60-year-old Donna Michelle Hanson was struck and killed in a marked crosswalk in the 900 block of East Koenig Lane at approximately 2 a.m. The driver fled the scene. APD identified the vehicle as a dark 1998-2000 BMW 323 with damage to the left side, according to KXAN. The case remains unsolved.
Why Vision Zero Has Not Solved the Problem
Austin adopted its Vision Zero plan in 2016 with the goal of eliminating all traffic deaths by 2025. The city has invested more than $1.3 billion through three voter-approved bonds, completed 29 major intersection safety projects, installed leading pedestrian intervals at over 750 intersections, and built more than 500 pedestrian crossings. A left-turn pilot program showed a 46 percent reduction in pedestrian crashes at 16 treated intersections, according to Community Impact.
Despite those efforts, Austin recorded 99 traffic fatalities in 2025. In the first six weeks of 2026, the city has already seen 11 fatal crashes — double the pace of the same period in 2025. Pedestrian deaths remain stubbornly high because state-controlled roads like I-35, MoPac, and North Lamar carry the highest speeds and the most dangerous designs, and Texas law bans automated speed enforcement that other states use to slow drivers down.
What to Do If You Are Hit at a Dangerous Austin Intersection
If you are struck by a vehicle at any Austin intersection, seek medical attention immediately — even if you believe your injuries are minor. Adrenaline masks pain, and some of the most serious pedestrian injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and internal bleeding, do not show symptoms right away. Call 911 to file a police report, photograph the scene and your injuries, get the driver’s insurance information, and collect contact information from any witnesses.
Do not accept a settlement offer from the driver’s insurance company without speaking to a pedestrian accident lawyer first. The first offer is almost always far below what your claim is actually worth. The attorneys at Shaw Cowart offer free consultations for pedestrian accident victims across Austin and Travis County. If you have a legal question — Call us.