Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Lexington, SC

Lexington drivers handle some of South Carolina’s most congested and dangerous roadways daily. As a rapidly growing community in the heart of the Columbia metropolitan area, Lexington sits at the crossroads of major interstate highways where thousands of crashes occur annually.

If you’ve been injured in a Lexington traffic accident, the car accident attorneys at Stewart Law Offices can help. Call 866-783-9278 for a free consultation about your case.

South Carolina Traffic Fatalities Continue Declining

Traffic safety conditions across South Carolina have continued to improve. The state recorded 880 traffic fatalities in 2025, representing the lowest annual death toll in four years. This marks a significant improvement from the 1,032 deaths in 2024 and demonstrates sustained progress from recent years.

The 2023 South Carolina Traffic Collision Fact Book shows that in 2023, South Carolina experienced 145,761 total traffic collisions, resulting in 1,047 deaths and 51,638 injuries. The state recorded 976 fatal collisions and 2,041 serious injury collisions during the year. 

With a collision occurring approximately every 3.6 minutes statewide, drivers throughout the Palmetto State, including those in Lexington County, must remain constantly vigilant behind the wheel.

Lexington County’s Traffic Safety Record

Lexington County faces substantial traffic safety challenges that affect residents throughout the greater Columbia metropolitan area. According to the 2023 South Carolina Traffic Collision Fact Book, Lexington County recorded 8,162 total traffic collisions in 2023, including 46 fatal crashes that claimed 47 lives. The county also experienced 96 serious injury collisions that left 117 people with severe injuries, plus 1,822 other injury crashes that caused 2,734 additional injuries.

Traffic accidents in Lexington County resulted in economic losses exceeding $257 million in 2023, according to traffic safety reports. These economic losses include expenses for emergency services, medical care, property damage, lost productivity, and other costs directly attributable to collisions. 

The human cost extends far beyond dollars and cents, as families throughout Lexington County have lost loved ones and suffered life-altering injuries in preventable crashes.

Lexington County’s Five Most Dangerous Intersections

Based on crash data from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, several locations in Lexington County, particularly major interstate interchanges, have significantly higher collision rates than typical intersections. The infamous “Malfunction Junction” near Columbia, where Interstates 20, 26, and 126 meet, contains three of the county’s five most dangerous intersections.

The five most hazardous locations identified in Lexington County are:

1. Interstate 26 at Bush River Road: This location holds the unwanted title of Lexington County’s most dangerous intersection. The history of countless collisions here prompted the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) to make changes as part of the massive Carolina Crossroads improvement project. As of November 2024, SCDOT permanently closed the westbound I-26 off-ramp to Bush River Road, diverting traffic to new entry and exit ramps at Colonial Life Boulevard.
2. Interstate 26 at Harbison Boulevard: Ranked second, this intersection sees numerous serious accidents due to the convergence of high-speed interstate traffic and heavy commercial development in the Harbison area. Drivers frequently struggle with merging, exiting, and complex traffic movements.
3. Interstate 20 at Clemson Road: The third most hazardous spot, this location experiences high collision rates as interstate and local traffic converge, making the transition between high-speed highway driving and slower local road conditions difficult for drivers.
4. Interstate 26 at Charleston Highway: This interchange recorded 133 total traffic collisions in recent reporting periods, including 19 injury-causing crashes and 114 property-damage-only incidents. The high volume of both commuter and commercial traffic contributes to its elevated accident rate.
5. Interstate 26 at Sunset Boulevard: With 125 reported accidents, 26 resulting in injuries, and 99 resulting exclusively in property damage, this location serves as a primary access point for shoppers and employees traveling to the Harbison area’s retail and commercial districts.

Interstate 20 cuts directly through Lexington County, creating a high-speed, east-west corridor where serious crashes occur regularly. I-20 runs from Augusta, Georgia, through Lexington County and Columbia before continuing northeast toward Florence.

Interstate 26 runs northwest-southeast through Lexington County, connecting Columbia with Charleston and serving as a major commuter route. The heavy mix of local commuters, commercial trucks, and long-distance travelers creates dangerous conditions. Critical interchange locations include I-20 at US Highway 1, I-20 at SC Highway 6, I-20 at US Highway 378, and I-20 at Sunset Boulevard.

High-Risk Lexington County Roadways

Here are some of the roadways in Lexington County, South Carolina, known for high traffic volumes:

• US Highway 1: This important north-south route runs through central Lexington County, passing through the town of Lexington and providing a direct connection to Columbia, lined with many businesses and shopping centers.
• SC Highway 6: Serving as a significant east-west corridor, this highway crosses Lexington County, providing access to residential areas, commercial developments, and interstate on-ramps.
• Sunset Boulevard: This road connects I-26 with various residential and commercial districts throughout Lexington County.
• Charleston Highway (US 321): This route carries substantial traffic, passing through West Columbia and into Lexington County.
• Two Notch Road: Extending from Columbia into Lexington County, this road functions as a major artery for both commuters and commercial activity.

What to Do After a Lexington County Car Accident

If you’re involved in a collision on any Lexington County roadway, taking proper steps protects your health and legal rights:

• Call 911 immediately to report the accident and request medical assistance. South Carolina law requires reporting accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000.
• Seek medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor, as some serious conditions may not produce immediate symptoms.
• Document the scene by photographing vehicle damage, road conditions, and visible injuries. Collect contact information from other drivers and witnesses.
• Avoid admitting fault or making detailed statements before consulting an attorney.
• Contact an experienced Lexington 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.

Understanding Your Rights Under South Carolina Law

South Carolina tort law allows accident victims to pursue compensation for:

• Economic damages: Including medical expenses, lost wages, future medical costs, lost earning capacity, property damage, and other out-of-pocket losses.
• Non-economic damages: covering pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.

South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If the injured person is found to be 50% or less at fault for causing the accident, they can recover compensation, but the award is reduced by their percentage of fault. If they are more than 50% at fault, they recover nothing. This standard makes experienced legal representation critical to protecting your claim and minimizing any argument that you are at fault.

Contact Our Lexington Car Accident Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation

The dangerous roads and intersections throughout Lexington County put drivers at risk every day. When negligent drivers cause accidents that injure you or kill a loved one, you deserve justice and full compensation.

Contact Stewart Law Offices at 866-783-9278 for a free, confidential consultation about your Lexington traffic accident. Stewart Law Offices has served Lexington County accident victims for over 30 years from our convenient Lexington location at 213 East Main Street, Suite A. Our contingency fee basis means you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case.