What Makes the Broadway and Rural Intersection a Magnet for T-Bone Accidents
Broadway Road and Rural Road don’t look particularly dangerous on a map—but locals know better. This major North Tempe intersection has become a frequent site for T-bone collisions, thanks to a mix of high-speed turns, poor timing, and overloaded traffic patterns.
At first glance, it seems like any other busy four-way. But step back and look at the crash reports, insurance claims, and near-misses drivers report almost daily, and one thing becomes clear: Broadway and Rural is one of the most accident-prone intersections in Tempe.
This post breaks down exactly what makes it so risky—and what drivers need to know if they’re hit there. If you’ve already been injured and are figuring out what to do next, the Tempe car accident attorney homepage is a good place to begin.
Why Broadway & Rural Is So Unique—and So Dangerous
The intersection sits at the gateway to multiple zones of Tempe:
ASU traffic from the east
Residential flow from the west
Access to shopping plazas and parking
Rideshare and delivery congestion
Students and commuters on foot and bike
It’s part of North Tempe, but it handles volume more typical of downtown areas. That heavy traffic leads to tension—and the left-turn sequences and stale green lights are a big part of the problem.
Add in distracted or aggressive drivers, and T-bone collisions become not just possible—but likely.
T-Bone Accidents Explained
T-bone crashes (also called side-impact collisions) happen when the front of one vehicle hits the side of another—usually at intersections. They're often caused by:
Running red lights or yellow lights
Left turns across through traffic
Misjudged timing
Failure to yield
Injury severity is often higher in these crashes because the sides of vehicles have less protection than the front or rear. That’s why T-bone crashes at intersections like Broadway and Rural so often result in hospital visits, ambulance calls, and long-term medical issues.
The Traffic Flow Problem
Broadway and Rural were built to accommodate flow—not precision. That becomes a problem during:
Morning and afternoon rush hour
Game days and ASU events
High pedestrian times (lunch, early evening)
Lane closures due to construction or rideshare congestion
When drivers are turning left onto Broadway from Rural, or vice versa, they often have very short protected left arrows—or none at all. This leads to risky “yellow gambles,” where people try to sneak through an intersection at the tail end of a light.
More often than not, they misjudge it—and end up directly in the path of through traffic.
Distracted Drivers and Line-of-Sight Issues
The area surrounding Broadway and Rural is saturated with distractions:
Campus signage
Food delivery bikes
Digital billboards
Heavy foot traffic
These factors cause delays in reaction time and even confusion over right-of-way. Add in someone checking GPS, texting, or adjusting music, and you have a perfect storm.
Many distracted driving accidents occur here precisely because drivers assume the green light means “go” with no threats—and don’t notice someone turning until it’s too late.
Who’s at Fault in a T-Bone at Broadway and Rural?
Fault depends on the specific movement at the time of the crash:
If a driver turns left on a solid green and gets hit by someone running a red, the turning driver may not be at fault.
If the driver ran the red to beat a yellow, they are likely at fault.
If the left turn was made into a busy crosswalk and a pedestrian was struck, there may be multiple layers of liability.
Arizona’s comparative fault system means even if both parties contributed, liability is divided up by percentage. That’s where police reports, witness testimony, and even traffic camera footage can change the outcome.
More detailed liability rules can be explored through azcourts.gov, especially when insurance disputes drag on.
Documentation Is Critical at This Intersection
Because of how chaotic this area is, your phone may be your best legal defense. After any crash here, be sure to:
Photograph the entire intersection (including lane markings and signage)
Note the light sequence if you can recall it
Get contact info from any witnesses—there are usually pedestrians
Record vehicle positions and skid marks if safe
Request nearby surveillance footage quickly
Even if your injuries feel minor, the side-impact nature of these crashes can lead to delayed symptoms like neck stiffness, back pain, and concussions. Documenting these early helps your case later.
If you’re unsure what to collect or how to start a claim, the Tempe legal help center outlines step-by-step instructions.
What the City Is—and Isn’t—Doing
Tempe has made some efforts to improve safety here, including:
Adjusting left-turn light timing
Upgrading crosswalk indicators
Adding visible lane markers
But critics say these changes don’t go far enough. Locals have repeatedly flagged this intersection through tempe.gov traffic feedback forms, especially following peak accident weeks.
Despite these upgrades, driver behavior remains the biggest risk—and Tempe’s urban layout ensures Broadway and Rural will continue to carry a dense mix of traffic types.
Final Thoughts
Broadway and Rural may seem like just another urban intersection—but its accident history and traffic profile say otherwise. It’s one of the most common locations for high-speed T-bone collisions in Tempe, especially during evening rush and weekend congestion.
If you're hit there, don't assume it'll be easy to assign fault. The intersection’s layout, traffic volume, and visibility issues complicate everything—from insurance claims to legal strategy.
To protect yourself, gather evidence immediately, don’t downplay your injuries, and understand how Arizona law handles shared fault. For guidance, Tempe car accident attorney has resources built to help.
