Intersection Accidents
Intersections play a key role in allowing drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians to safely interact while traveling. Unfortunately, when roads intersect, these individuals are also more at risk of being involved in a collision. This occurs much more often than most people realize. In fact, according to the Federal Highway Administration, as many as 50 percent of all traffic injuries (and 25 percent of traffic fatalities) in the U.S. take place in intersections.
Even the most careful driver, pedestrian, or cyclist could end up injured in an intersection accident through someone else’s negligence. If this happens to you or a loved one and you are having trouble covering your medical bills, vehicle repair costs, and household expenses while you recuperate, please reach out to one of our experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers to learn more about filing a claim for compensation.
Intersection Accident Causes
There are a lot of moving parts at intersections, with drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists all needing to pay attention to oncoming vehicles and traffic signals. With so much going on, it is relatively easy for an oversight by any of these individuals to result in an accident. Most intersection accidents can be linked to one of the following causes:
- Distracted driving;
- Driving while fatigued;
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
- Speeding; and
- Failing to abide by traffic signals.
Intersection accidents are not, however, always solely the fault of a driver, pedestrian, or cyclist. A defective traffic signal or improperly designed road, for instance, could be to blame for a collision, as could a defective vehicle.
What Kinds of Accidents Occur at Intersections?
Intersections play host to a wide range of car accidents, but some tend to occur more often than others, including:
- Rear-end collisions, which frequently occur at traffic lights when a driver is distracted and is unable to brake in time to avoid a collision with the vehicle in front of them;
- T-bone collisions, which occur most often when one driver ignores a traffic signal (i.e. a red light) and travels through an intersection, striking another driver who is heading in the opposite direction;
- Head-on crashes, which occur when two vehicles collide head-to-head; and
- Sideswipe crashes, which can occur when a driver illegally changes lanes in an intersection or swerves when turning left, scraping the side of a nearby vehicle.
Of these types of accidents, head-on collisions and t-bone accidents tend to result in the most severe injuries. Motorists involved in these kinds of crashes could suffer from traumatic brain injury, broken bones, lacerations, or internal injuries. Sideswipe accidents and rear-end collisions, on the other hand, while they may not cause particularly devastating injuries, can result in serious property damage.
Schedule a Free Case Review Today
If you’re having trouble obtaining adequate compensation after an intersection accident, please call Boone & Davis at 954-566-9919 today and set up a meeting with one of our dedicated Florida car accident lawyers. A member of our legal team is standing by to address your liability-related questions and concerns.
Resource:
safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/about/
