With over 238,000 residents, Norfolk is Virginia’s third-most populous city — and its roads see heavy traffic from the world’s largest naval base and Norfolk International Airport, which served 4.86 million passengers in 2024 alone.
All that traffic means more accidents. And certain intersections stand out as particularly dangerous.
Why Norfolk Intersections Are High-Risk
Norfolk faces unique traffic challenges:
- Military traffic: Naval Station Norfolk generates massive commuter volumes during shift changes
- Tunnel bottlenecks: The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel and Midtown Tunnel create merging hazards
- Tourist and visitor traffic: Unfamiliar drivers navigating the city’s streets
- Port activity: Heavy truck traffic around the Port of Virginia
Crash Data: A Closer Look
According to the City of Norfolk’s Vision Zero Crash Data Dashboard, fatal crashes per 100,000 population in Norfolk increased from 6.6 in 2018 to 7.7 in 2022, peaking at 10.2 in 2021. While Norfolk’s rate remains below the national average of 12.7, the upward trend is concerning.
VDOT crash data identifies distinct hot spots for vehicle-only, pedestrian, and bicycle crashes — and they’re not always in the same places.
What To Do If You’re Injured at an Intersection
- Call 911 and seek medical attention immediately
- Document the scene — intersection crashes often involve complex right-of-way questions
- Look for traffic cameras or nearby business surveillance
- Contact a Norfolk injury attorney who knows the local roads and courts
Intersection accidents frequently involve disputes about who had the green light. In Virginia’s contributory negligence system, that dispute can mean the difference between full compensation and nothing at all.
Sources: City of Norfolk Vision Zero Crash Data Dashboard; Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers, “Most Dangerous Intersections in Hampton Roads”; VDOT Public Crash Data; IIHS Fatality Facts 2024 (published June 2026).
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