Summit Avenue, Union City: A Historic Artery Through the Heart of Old Union Hill

Running parallel to the bustling Bergenline Avenue, Summit Avenue is a major north-south thoroughfare that serves as a historic residential and civic spine for Union City. This avenue was a central artery of the former town of Union Hill, which merged with West Hoboken in 1925 to form the city. Its development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was fueled by the city's industrial boom, lining the street with the dense multi-family homes, classic brick rowhouses, and impressive churches built for the area's growing European immigrant population. Today, Summit Avenue remains a vital corridor, home to key community institutions like schools and places of worship, all while retaining its historic, high-density neighborhood character.

Brandon J. Broderick, Personal Injury Attorney at Law, provides compassionate and effective legal counsel, fighting to protect your rights and to assist you in obtaining the compensation you are entitled to following injuries from a car, bus, work site, slip-and-fall, or pedestrian accident in New Jersey.

Points of Interest in The Summit Avenue Section

While Bergenline Avenue is known as Union City's commercial engine, the parallel Summit Avenue serves as its historic and civic spine. Running the length of the city, this major artery was the "downtown" of the former town of Union Hill. Its attractions are less about shopping and more about history, architecture, and community, telling the story of the city's growth from the 19th-century "Embroidery Capital" to the vibrant community it is today.

The Former Monastery and Church of St. Michael

The most significant and imposing landmark on Summit Avenue is the former Monastery and Church of Saint Michael the Archangel. Bounding the avenue between 18th and 21st Streets, this massive 19th-century complex is a state and national historic place. Its grand, domed church was a focal point on the Palisades skyline for over a century. A walk around the complex's 13-acre grounds is a journey into the city's deep European immigrant and industrial-era past.

Historic Residential Architecture

The entire length of Summit Avenue is an attraction for lovers of history and architecture. The street is lined with beautifully preserved 19th- and early 20th-century buildings, including classic brick rowhouses, grand Victorian homes, and stately multi-family dwellings. This historic streetscape was built to house the city's booming population of workers, managers, and factory owners, and it remains a stunning, tangible link to that prosperous era.

Union City High School

A modern architectural marvel, the Union City High School complex on Summit Avenue is a major city landmark. This state-of-the-art facility is famous for its innovative solution to a lack of green space: its multi-million dollar athletic field is built on the roof. While not a public-access venue, the school's impressive, modern design stands in striking contrast to the historic buildings surrounding it, symbolizing the city's commitment to the future. If you have been injured and need the assistance of a personal injury attorney near the Union City High School, contact us for a free consultation.

The Union City Public Library (Southern Branch)

Serving as a key community and cultural anchor, the southern branch of the Union City Public Library is a major point of interest. The modern library, along with the adjacent José Martí Middle School, was built on the former grounds of the St. Michael's Monastery. It represents the avenue's shift from a purely historic corridor to a modern civic center, providing vital resources to the neighborhood's residents.

Summit Avenue Historic Commercial District

The section of Summit Avenue running from 9th Street to 32nd Street is designated as a New Jersey Register of Historic Places historic commercial district. While today it's a mix of local businesses, bodegas, and homes, its architectural bones tell the story of its past as the "downtown" of the former West Hoboken. It's the perfect place to see the authentic, everyday life of the city, far from the more tourist-focused corridors.

Accidents in The Summit Avenue Section: What You Need to Know

Summit Avenue in Union City, a major north-south artery, serves as the historic and civic backbone of the community. As the former "downtown" of the town of Union Hill, it is lined with a dense mix of historic rowhouses, apartment buildings, major schools, and churches. This creates an environment of constant, high-volume activity, where heavy pedestrian traffic from schools and residences directly intersects with a steady flow of commuter and local vehicle traffic. This combination of factors leads to several predictable types of personal injury accidents. Those injured in The Summit Avenue Section area may need the assistance of a Union City, New Jersey, personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation for their injuries after an accident.

Pedestrian Accidents: School Zones and Major Crossings

The highest risk of pedestrian injury on Summit Avenue is concentrated around the major institutions that draw large crowds. The Union City High School, which spans the blocks from 24th to 26th Street, is a primary hotspot. Thousands of students cross Summit Avenue daily, and the intersections in this area are extremely hazardous during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. Similarly, the blocks bounding the massive St. Michael's Monastery complex (18th to 21st Streets) see significant foot traffic. Drivers often strike pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks along the avenue, either by failing to yield or becoming distracted by the dense traffic.

Car Accidents: Key Intersections

As a major thoroughfare, Summit Avenue's intersections with its numbered cross-streets are the most common locations for vehicle-on-vehicle collisions. T-bone and side-impact crashes are frequent at intersections like 32nd Street, 24th Street, and 21st Street. These accidents are typically caused by drivers misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic while trying to turn or by running red lights on the busy avenue. The stop-and-go nature of the traffic along the entire corridor also leads to a high number of rear-end collisions, especially during peak commute times.

Slip and Fall Incidents: Historic Sidewalks

Given its history as the "downtown" of the former Union Hill, much of the infrastructure on Summit Avenue is decades old. The public sidewalks along the entire avenue are a common location for slip and fall injuries. These accidents are often caused by tripping hazards like cracked, broken, or uneven pavement, as well as sidewalks that have been uplifted by the roots of mature trees. In winter, inadequate or improper snow and ice removal on these already hazardous surfaces makes them extremely dangerous for the neighborhood's heavy foot traffic.

Low-Speed and "Dooring" Accidents: Residential Blocks

The dense residential and commercial blocks of Summit Avenue are defined by tight, on-street parking on both sides. This layout is a frequent source of two types of accidents. First, sideswipes are common as drivers attempt to navigate the narrow lanes, especially when contending with double-parked vehicles or buses. Second, "dooring" accidents are a significant risk. This occurs when a driver or passenger opens their car door into the path of an oncoming vehicle or, more commonly, a bicyclist, leading to serious injuries.

The personal injury risks on Summit Avenue are a direct product of its historic, high-density, and mixed-use design. The street's most significant dangers stem from the close and constant interaction between vehicles, pedestrians, and aging infrastructure, making its school zones, major intersections, and public walkways the most common locations for accidents.

If you’ve been injured on The Summit Avenue Section, the local attorneys at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, in Union City, NJ, are here to provide skilled, compassionate legal representation and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Why Choose Brandon J. Broderick for The Summit Avenue Section Accidents?

Conveniently located to serve Union City, our office offers legal services for residents and visitors of The Summit Avenue Section and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Here’s why clients in The Summit Avenue Section trust us:

  • Local Expertise: We understand the unique dynamics of The Summit Avenue Section as well as the most common types of injuries sustained in accidents in the area.
  • Proven Results: Our firm has recovered millions in settlements for personal injury victims across New Jersey.
  • 24/7 Availability: Call us anytime at (866) 864-1092 for immediate legal assistance.
  • No Upfront Fees: We work on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay if we win your case.

Directions to Our Union City, NJ, Office

Residents and visitors in the area can easily access our office, conveniently located near The Summit Avenue Section.

Address: 902 Central Ave, Union City, NJ 07087 (serving The Summit Avenue Section and Union City)
Phone: (866) 864-1092

If you’ve been injured on The Summit Avenue Section or in Union City, don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule a free consultation today.

We provide dedicated legal support to accident victims throughout New Jersey and Union City, including neighborhoods such as 43rd Street, 48th Street, Bergenline, Central Avenue, The Heights, Monastery Place, Palisade Avenue, The Summit Avenue Section, Troy Towers Area, Union Hill, and West Hoboken. Don’t wait to get the help you deserve—contact us today to discuss your case and begin the process of securing your compensation.