Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Columbia, SC
Legally Reviewed by, Stephen Suggs: Feb 06, 2026
Columbia drivers face serious traffic hazards on the state capital’s busy roads and complex intersections. As South Carolina’s second-largest city with nearly 140,000 residents and the epicenter of the Midlands region, Columbia experiences thousands of crashes annually that injure motorists and claim lives.
If you’ve been injured in a Columbia traffic accident, the auto accident attorneys at Stewart Law Offices can help. Call 866-783-9278 for a free consultation about your case.
Richland County’s Alarming Collision Statistics
Columbia sits at the center of one of South Carolina’s most dangerous counties for motorists. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety’s 2022 Traffic Collision Fact Book, Richland County experienced 12,731 total collisions in 2022, representing 8.9% of all crashes statewide.
These collisions resulted in:
- 65 fatal collisions.
- 2,868 injury collisions.
- 9,798 property damage only collisions.
Richland County ranked third in South Carolina for total collisions and third for injury collisions in 2022, placing it among the most dangerous counties for motorists. With a traffic collision occurring approximately every 3.7 minutes statewide, drivers throughout the Palmetto State must remain constantly alert.
Interstate 20 and Interstate 26: Columbia’s Deadliest Highways
Two major interstate highways intersect in Columbia, creating some of the most dangerous driving conditions in the Midlands region.
Interstate 26 runs through Columbia from Spartanburg County in the northwest toward Charleston in the southeast. In 2022, I-26 recorded 25 fatal collisions (resulting in 25 deaths) and 31 serious injury collisions (with 32 serious injuries) statewide. The combination of high speeds, heavy commercial truck traffic, and complex interchanges creates constant hazards, particularly as it passes through Richland County.
Interstate 20 enters South Carolina near Augusta GA and passes directly through Columbia, and continues northeast toward Florence. This heavily traveled east-west corridor sees thousands of vehicles daily and experiences frequent serious crashes. Statewide in 2022, I-20 had 11 fatal collisions (13 deaths) and 17 serious injury collisions (20 serious injuries) per the same 2022 Traffic Collision Fact Book.
The I-20 and I-26 interchange, nicknamed “Malfunction Junction,” is notorious among Columbia drivers. This vital nexus, central to South Carolina’s highway system, manages local and regional traffic to cities like Greenville and Charleston. It is consistently one of Columbia’s most dangerous spots, seeing dozens of collisions, including fatalities, each year due to the convergence of two busy interstates, numerous merge points, and frequent lane changes.
Columbia’s Most Dangerous Intersections
Several Columbia intersections consistently appear in crash data as high-accident locations:
- Broad River Road and Interstate 20 rank among Richland County’s most dangerous spots. This intersection experienced 229 collisions, including 1 fatal and 36 resulting in injuries.
- Assembly Street and Elmwood Avenue topped the list as Columbia’s most dangerous intersection within city limits, with high crash volumes according to collision data investigated by the Columbia Police Department and the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
- I-20 at US Highway 1 represents another high-risk area where interstate and surface street traffic converge. The transition between highway speeds and local road speeds increases collision rates at this location.
- SC Highway 12 at Interstate 77 forms another hotspot for accidents.
- Assembly Street and Gervais Street sit in downtown Columbia near the South Carolina State House. This intersection’s six-lane configuration, frequent lane changes, heavy pedestrian traffic, and tourist activity result in numerous side-impact collisions and pedestrian accidents.
High-Risk Columbia Roadways
Beyond interstate corridors and major intersections, several Columbia thoroughfares pose elevated accident risks:
- Broad River Road carries heavy commercial and commuter traffic throughout Northwest Columbia. The road’s mix of shopping centers, restaurants, gas stations, and businesses creates constant opportunities for collisions as vehicles enter and exit driveways.
- Two Notch Road serves as a major commercial artery through Northeast Columbia with heavy traffic volumes and numerous busy intersections.
- Garners Ferry Road runs through Southeast Columbia and experiences frequent crashes, particularly near its intersections with other major roads.
- Forest Drive connects multiple Columbia neighborhoods and commercial areas and sees constant traffic throughout the day.
- St. Andrews Road in West Columbia carries substantial traffic volumes and features numerous intersections where collisions frequently occur.
When Columbia Accidents Occur Most Frequently
Understanding temporal patterns helps drivers exercise extra caution during high-risk periods. According to South Carolina collision data, Friday consistently sees the highest number of injury collisions statewide, followed by Thursday and Wednesday.
The hours between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM see the most collisions across South Carolina as commuters crowd roadways during evening rush hour. Columbia’s major corridors become especially congested during this period as workers leave downtown offices, Fort Jackson military base, and the University of South Carolina campus.
Most reported collisions at Columbia’s dangerous intersections occur during morning and afternoon rush hours when sheer traffic volume creates hazardous conditions.
What to Do After a Columbia Car Accident
If you’re involved in a collision on any Columbia roadway, taking proper steps protects both your health and legal rights:
- Call 911 immediately.
- Seek medical evaluation.
- Document the scene.
- Avoid admitting fault.
Contact a Columbia car accident attorney as soon as possible. South Carolina’s three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims means you have a limited time to pursue compensation.
Get Legal Help From a Columbia Car Accident Lawyer Today
The dangerous roads and intersections throughout Columbia and Richland County put all drivers at risk of serious injury or death. When you suffer harm in a crash caused by another driver’s negligence, inattention, or reckless behavior, you deserve full compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and all other losses.
Don’t let insurance companies minimize your claim or deny the compensation you need. Contact Stewart Law Offices at 866-783-9278 for a free, confidential consultation about your Columbia traffic accident.
Infographic
