The Moment Everything Changes
One minute you are heading home across Queen Anne Hill, thinking about dinner or trying to make it through traffic. The next, your car lurches forward. You have been hit. Seattle drivers know how unpredictable our streets can be. But if your accident happened in Queen Anne, chances are it was not just bad luck, it may have been the intersection itself.
Five Corners (North Queen Anne)
Where 5th Ave N, McGraw St, Bigelow Ave N, Wheeler St, and a fifth connecting lane all converge. There is no signal. Sightlines are poor. During the commute or rainy weather, this intersection becomes a minefield of assumptions and hesitation.
The Seven Way Stop (Above Seattle Country Day School)
Located near Aurora Ave N, where 4th Ave N, Nob Hill Ave N, Halladay St, and several other offshoots twist together into a swirl of stop signs and confusion. Locals know it, dread it, and brace for near misses every time they pass through.
Seattle’s Most Infamous Intersections—Captured in Art
Seattle’s intersections are not just frustrating, they have become art. Local artist Peter Gorman created a minimalist poster of Seattle’s most confusing intersections (https://www.petermgorman.com/product/seattle-intersections-poster), including Queen Anne’s Seven Way Stop above Seattle Country Day School. If you have ever gripped the wheel at that junction wondering if it is your turn (or if anyone actually knows the rules), you are not alone. The artwork is clever, visual, and local, and yes, Queen Anne’s worst offenders made the cut.
What You Do Next Matters More Than You Think
- Adrenaline Masks Pain
It is extremely common to feel fine at the scene of a car accident. Your body floods with adrenaline and cortisol, numbing pain and pushing survival instincts. But once that wears off, injuries like whiplash, concussions, soft tissue damage, and even internal injuries can set in. This is especially true in low-speed collisions like the ones that often happen at awkward intersections. Just because your car was not totaled does not mean your body did not absorb the impact. Seek medical attention even if you feel okay. Go to urgent care, request imaging, and document symptoms that develop over the next several days. This protects your health and your legal rights. - Document the Scene—Even the Confusion
If your accident happened at Five Corners or the Seven Way Stop, you probably were not the only one confused. These intersections are notoriously difficult to navigate, and it can be hard to know who was supposed to go first. Use your phone to take wide-angle photos of street signs and layout, damage to all vehicles, skid marks and road conditions, license plates and witnesses. Make a voice memo or write down your version of events while it is still fresh. In complex intersections, clarity is your best defense. - Choose a Doctor Who Understands Car Accident Injuries
Not all providers are experienced in treating or documenting injuries from motor vehicle collisions. Some may dismiss your pain, or fail to record how your injuries are affecting your life—something insurance companies rely on. Find a doctor, chiropractor, or physical therapist who regularly treats personal injury patients. Ask them to clearly connect your symptoms to the accident in their notes. This can be critical in a claim. - Insurance Is Not on Your Side
After a confusing crash, insurance companies move quickly to shape the story. Adjusters may contact you for a recorded statement or offer a small check. They may suggest the intersection was mutually confusing, downplaying fault and damages. Do not speak to the other driver’s insurance company. You don’t owe them a statement or a return call. Never accept an offer before you understand the full scope of your injuries. And do not feel rushed, a fast check is almost never a fair one. - Track Your Pain and Limitations
Pain is real, even if it does not show up on an X-ray. But if it is not tracked, it is often ignored. Many people do not realize how much documentation matters until it is too late. Start a simple journal. Every day, record pain levels, activities you cannot do, missed work or appointments, sleep disturbances, emotional impact. Your experience matters. Make sure it is recorded. - Do Not Try to Do This Alone
Getting hit is bad enough. But navigating doctors, time off work, pain, insurance adjusters, and legal questions at the same time? That is a full-time job, and it is not one you should be doing alone. Ask for help. Whether it is a healthcare provider, a counselor, or a legal team, you deserve support. The system is hard enough. You do not have to fight it by yourself.
A Familiar Neighborhood—A Personal Note
At Scott and Scott, we help people across Seattle who are recovering from the aftermath of unexpected accidents. But this topic is personal to me. I grew up on Queen Anne Hill. My parents still live there. I still drive through that seven way stop near Seattle Country Day School all the time. I have watched near misses at Five Corners more times than I can count. These intersections are not just difficult, they are designed in ways that lead to confusion and collisions. I know how overwhelming things feel in the hours and days after a crash, especially when the crash did not feel big enough to cause serious damage, but your body says otherwise.
You Only Get One Shot at This
The biggest mistake we see clients make is waiting. They wait to go to the doctor. They wait to take photos. They wait to ask questions. And by the time they act, the opportunity to protect themselves has started slipping away. If you were hurt in a crash at one of Queen Anne’s confusing intersections or anywhere else in Seattle, do not wait. Let us talk. We will listen. We will explain your options. And we will help you move forward. Schedule a free consultation with Scott & Scott, PLLC today.