Recovering For Accidents That Occur In Intersections

While auto accidents can happen in a wide variety of circumstances, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports1 that up to 40 percent of collisions take place in intersections between two or more roads. Drivers at intersections may be stopped, may be heading straight, may be turning left or right, or even merging into a different lane. Because of the large amount of different activities that take place in intersections, it is easy to understand why collisions in these locations are so common. For this reason, many personal injury cases arising from injuries suffered in car accidents involve intersection collisions. These cases may be complicated and determining fault may not always be easy. If you have suffered injury in an accident in an intersection, you should consult with an experienced lawyer as soon as possible to discuss how you can recover. 

Causes of intersection accidents
There are many possible causes of intersection collisions, but the most common may be a driver's failure to adequately pay attention to the surrounding traffic. Driver's have a duty to pay close attention to the cars, pedestrians, bicyclists, and others around them at all times. If a driver claims that they did not see another vehicle or person coming through the intersection until the very last second, they were likely not paying adequate attention to their surroundings. This is particularly common in recent years when many drivers take stopping at intersections as an opportunity to check their smart phones. This takes the driver's focus off the road and is negligent behavior that can lead to a collision.

Aside from failing to pay attention, the following are some additional causes of accidents in intersections:

  • False assumptions about what another driver is about to do
  •  Failing to properly yield,2 especially to bicyclists or pedestrians in crosswalks
  • Turning while a driver's view is obstructed
  • Misjudging another car's speed or a gap in traffic
  • Making illegal maneuvers such as U-turns
  • Running red lights or other traffic signals
In addition to driver errors, other parties may be responsible for accidents in intersections, as well. For example, if a faulty traffic signal leads to a collision, the government entity responsible for maintaining the intersection may be responsible. Additionally, accidents may occur due to brake failure or other auto malfunctions when vehicles try to stop at red lights. In such cases, the auto manufacturer may be responsible.

Personal injuries received in intersection accidents
Many accidents that occur at intersections are either broadside collisions, head-on collisions, or rear-end collisions. All of these have the potential to cause serious injuries to drivers and passengers. For example, broadside accidents can be particularly dangerous if one car collides directly into the door where someone is sitting. The sides of cars do not have bumpers, crumple zones, or other protections that may help avoid or limit injuries in a front or rear collision.

Another reason that injuries may be particularly serious in intersection collisions is that both cars may be moving, sometimes at high speeds. If one car is driving straight through an intersection at the speed limit and another is accelerating in order to turn, you can imagine that the resulting injuries from a collision may be severe. Some common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries,3 internal bleeding and organ damage, head trauma, severe lacerations and contusions, and much more.

An experienced auto accident attorney can help you receive the compensation you deserve
Accidents in intersections can be very confusing, with each driver blaming another. However, if another driver was at least partially responsible for the accident, you deserve to sufficiently recover for your injuries. The auto accident lawyers at the Dolman Law Group have the skills and resources to fully investigate all of the circumstances surrounding your accident and to identify any possible negligent parties. We can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf or file a legal claim if it is necessary to help you obtain the full amount of compensation for your losses. We offer free consultations with no obligation, so call today at 727-451-6900 so a lawyer can evaluate your case today.

Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 451-6900

https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/auto-accidents-attorneys/

References: 

1http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811366.pdf
2http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.123.html
3http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spinalcordinjuries.html

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