San Francisco’s a place where folks are always walking, biking, hopping on transit, or driving. With those steep hills, narrow streets, and super busy roads, some spots just see way more car crashes, pedestrian mishaps, and rideshare run-ins than others.
In this article, we’ll break down the San Francisco neighborhoods with higher risks for personal injuries and car accidents. Spotting these trouble areas can help you stay extra vigilant, pick safer paths, and understand why serious injuries pop up more often there.
Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in San Francisco
1. Downtown & Financial District
Downtown San Francisco and the Financial District are packed with cars, buses, bikes, and pedestrians. Streets like Market Street, Mission Street, and Embarcadero see heavy traffic all day long.
Drivers often stop suddenly for rideshares or deliveries, which leads to rear-end collisions. Pedestrians cross mid-block between crowded corners, increasing the chance of crash situations. Bikes sharing lanes with cars adds another layer of risk.
Because downtown is such a hub for work, shopping, transit, and entertainment, the high volume of movement makes auto accidents and pedestrian injuries more common here than in quieter places.
2. South of Market (SoMa)
SoMa is home to tech offices, warehouses, large event spaces, and transit hubs. Streets like Harrison Street, Folsom Street, and 3rd Street carry a mix of delivery trucks, commuters, rideshare vehicles, and bus traffic.
SoMa’s wide roads and heavy vehicle flow mean more chances for collisions. Trucks turning at intersections, buses stopping for riders, and drivers switching lanes rapidly in traffic all contribute to a higher risk.
Pedestrian injuries also happen often because people walk between office spaces, transit stops, and parking garages. The mix of fast traffic and foot traffic can quickly lead to serious injuries.
3. Mission District
The Mission District is one of San Francisco’s busiest neighborhoods. Streets like Valencia Street, Mission Street, and 24th Street see heavy car traffic alongside frequent rideshare pick-ups and drop-offs.
Drivers here often make quick turns to avoid congestion, leading to sideswipe crashes or angle collisions. Bicyclists and pedestrians also share the road with cars, which increases the risk of serious injuries, especially during peak hours.
The mix of nightlife, dining, and shopping brings more foot traffic at night, and dim lighting on some streets can make it harder for drivers to see people walking or biking.
4. Lower Pacific Heights & Van Ness Corridor
The Van Ness Avenue corridor and surrounding parts of Lower Pacific Heights are major traffic lifelines in the city. Van Ness is one of San Francisco’s busiest north-south routes for buses, cars, and commercial vehicles.
High traffic volumes lead to frequent rear-end crashes and intersection collisions. Pedestrians crossing wide, multi-lane streets face added risk, especially where crosswalks are spread far apart, and signals change quickly.
Nearby streets like Divisadero Street and California Street also see quick lane changes and heavy commuter traffic. These conditions increase the likelihood of car accidents and pedestrian impacts.
5. Tenderloin / Civic Center Area
The Tenderloin and Civic Center area is another high-movement zone. Civic Center Plaza, Van Ness, and Market Street converge here, making it a crossroads for cars, buses, bikes, and people on foot.
Streets often have mixed traffic with frequent lane shifting and rideshare stops, which can lead to collisions. Pedestrian injuries happen when people cross wide boulevards between bus stops and buildings.
Because so many routes intersect in this area, vehicles traveling from different directions can collide or make sudden lane changes that catch others off guard.
6. Fisherman’s Wharf & North Beach
Fisherman’s Wharf and North Beach are popular with tourists. Many people walk near the waterfront, hotels, restaurants, and attractions, and traffic on Jefferson Street, Beach Street, and Columbus Avenue can be heavy and unpredictable.
Drivers often slow or stop suddenly for sightseeing and parking, leading to rear-end accidents. Pedestrians sometimes step into traffic without using marked crosswalks, increasing the chance of injury.
Bicycles and e-scooters also share paths with cars in some areas, adding complexity and risk.
Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Injury
Even in busy neighborhoods, simple habits can lower the chance of an accident:
- Plan routes that avoid heavy traffic corridors during peak hours
- Use crosswalks and look both ways before stepping into traffic
- Watch for rideshare vehicles stopping without warning
- Leave extra space between you and the car ahead of you
- Avoid distractions like phones when walking or driving
- Wear visible clothing if walking at night
Taking time to pay attention to your surroundings can make a big difference.
What to Do If You’re Injured in a San Francisco Neighborhood
Some San Francisco neighborhoods deal with way more traffic, foot traffic, and accident risks than others. Areas like Downtown, SoMa, the Mission District, and major corridors such as Van Ness and Market Street often involve tight streets, frequent stops, and mixed traffic. These conditions can raise the risk of car accidents and pedestrian injuries.
Being aware of your surroundings helps a ton, but accidents can still catch anyone off guard. If you or a loved one got hurt in a car crash, rideshare incident, or just walking around San Francisco, knowing your options makes all the difference.
Siegal & Richardson, LLP is here to walk through what happened and lay out your next steps. Reach out to our team, and we’ll chat about your situation and give you straightforward advice after the accident.