Main Street and Hover Road: Longmont’s Most Dangerous Intersections for Car Accidents
The intersections of Main Street (US-287) and Hover Street where they cross the fast-moving Ken Pratt Boulevard (CO-119) are statistically the most hazardous spots in Longmont.
According to data from Longmont’s traffic engineers, the intersection at Main Street and Ken Pratt Boulevard sees more crashes than any other in the city, with over 290 incidents in a recent five-year period—a risk a Longmont car accident lawyer frequently sees when high-speed highway traffic collides with congested urban stop-and-go driving.
Because these are signalized, multi-lane intersections, proving who had the right-of-way becomes a difficult battle of disputed green lights and arguments over failure to yield. Despite the chaos of a crash, securing financial recovery for your medical bills and vehicle damage is possible.
If you have a question about a collision on Main, Hover, or Ken Pratt Blvd, call Attorney Edward Smith.
Key Takeaways for Longmont Intersection Accidents
- The intersections at Ken Pratt Boulevard with Main Street and Hover Street are Longmont’s highest-risk areas. This is a direct result of high traffic volumes and the dangerous mix of highway speeds meeting city traffic patterns.
- Proving fault requires objective evidence beyond driver statements. In these crashes, collecting traffic signal logs, surveillance footage, and expert analysis is essential for overcoming a “he said, she said” scenario.
- Colorado’s comparative negligence law directly impacts your financial recovery. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, and if you are found 50% or more responsible, you recover nothing.
Why Are Main Street and Hover Road So Dangerous?
To be clear, Main Street and Hover Street run parallel to each other. The real danger zones are created where these major north-south arteries intersect with the diagonal Ken Pratt Boulevard, which funnels tens of thousands of vehicles between Boulder and Longmont daily—areas where it may be critical to hire a car accident attorney to protect your rights.
The intersection at Highway 119 and Main Street alone handles over 70,000 vehicles a day. This sheer volume, combined with the velocity of highway traffic meeting arterial stop-and-go patterns, creates a recipe for frequent and sometimes severe accidents.
Traffic engineers use a metric called the Composite Crash Index (CCI) to measure the danger of an intersection based on crash frequency and severity. Intersections along Ken Pratt Boulevard consistently have the highest crash index ratings in Longmont.
The city itself has acknowledged the problem. In April 2023, Longmont officially adopted a Vision Zero plan, a strategy aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries. The city’s own data identifies these as high-crash corridors, which validates what residents already know: these roads are a known problem.
Common Types of Collisions at These Intersections
Left-Turn T-Bones (The Yellow Trap)
One of the most dangerous maneuvers at these intersections is the unprotected left turn.
Drivers turning left from Main or Hover onto Ken Pratt, or vice versa, frequently face a permissive yellow light. They are required to yield to oncoming traffic, but with multiple lanes of fast-moving cars, visibility is a major issue. Oncoming vehicles are sometimes obscured by other cars also waiting to turn, creating a yellow trap that leads to devastating T-bone collisions—factors that directly affect car accident case worth. In these scenarios, the driver turning left is usually found at fault for failing to yield.
Rear-End Collisions on Approaches
The stop-and-go nature of traffic, especially on Main Street during peak hours, is a primary cause of rear-end collisions. Sudden stops frequently lead to chain-reaction crashes.
While the driver who strikes the car in front is typically at fault, Colorado law has a nuanced view. The Colorado Basic Speed Rule (§ 42-4-1101) requires drivers to operate at a speed that is “reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing,” not just to follow the posted speed limit. This means a driver could be partially at fault for a rear-end crash if they weren’t maintaining a safe following distance for the heavy traffic conditions.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Incidents
These high-volume corridors are also hazardous for the most vulnerable road users. City data cited above shows that Main Street alone accounts for approximately 24% of all pedestrian and cyclist collisions in Longmont.
The sheer width of Ken Pratt Boulevard at intersections like Hover and Main means pedestrians and cyclists are exposed to turning traffic for extended periods. A moment of driver inattention has tragic consequences for someone on foot or on a bike.
Contact our lawyers for car accidents in Longmont at (303) 682-2944 for a free consultation.
Determining Fault in Complicated Intersection Crashes
The He Said, She Said Problem
In the immediate confusion after a crash, it’s common for both drivers to believe they had the green light. Without an independent witness, this creates a “he said, she said” standoff that insurance companies may use to deny a claim, which is often not what people expect after a car accident.
This is where an independent investigation becomes necessary. Attorney Edward Smith works to obtain signal timing logs from the city and canvas nearby businesses for surveillance camera footage to establish the facts of what really happened.
Colorado’s Comparative Negligence Law
Proving the other driver was careless is only half the battle. Colorado uses a Modified Comparative Negligence rule. This legal concept means that your potential compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
However, if you are found 50% or more at fault for the crash, you are legally barred from recovering anything at all. An insurance company might argue you were slightly speeding or made an improper lane change to push your percentage of fault higher.
Commercial Vehicle Involvement
Ken Pratt Boulevard is a primary freight route, meaning many accidents involve semi-trucks, delivery vans, or other commercial vehicles. When a commercial driver is involved, the case becomes more complicated, especially since Colorado is no-fault state for car accidents misconceptions often arise and federal regulations governing things like driver hours-of-service may apply.
Furthermore, the legal doctrine of vicarious liability could mean the trucking or delivery company is also liable for the crash, not just the driver. Pursuing a claim against a commercial entity requires a deep understanding of both state and federal law.
FAQ for Longmont Intersection Accidents
I was hit by an uninsured driver on Hover Road; what happens now?
This is where your own auto insurance policy comes into play. If you have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, you file a claim with your own insurance company to cover your damages up to your policy limits.
The other driver was turning left on yellow; are they automatically at fault?
Usually, yes. Under C.R.S. § 42-4-702, a driver intending to turn left must yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction that is close enough to be an immediate hazard. A driver proceeding straight through an intersection on a green or yellow light almost always has the right-of-way over a driver turning left.
How long do I have to file a claim for a crash in Colorado?
For most motor vehicle accidents in Colorado, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. However, it is always better to act sooner to preserve evidence and witness memories.
Don’t Let a Dangerous Intersection Derail Your Life
Insurance companies handle countless claims occurring on these roads every single day. To them, your claim is just another case number. To us, we see a person whose life has been altered because of someone else’s carelessness. You shouldn’t have to fight to get them to take your claim seriously while you’re recovering.
Attorney Edward Smith handles the investigation and the legal details so you can focus on healing. If you were injured at a Longmont intersection, call today to discuss your next steps.