Practice Areas Car Accidents Intersection Accidents

How an Intersection Accident Lawyer Can Help

Highways can be pretty scary for some, but when it comes to roadway travel, intersections tend to be somewhat more nerve-wracking for California drivers. Considered some of the most dangerous places in public roadways because of multiple elements that can easily distract drivers, intersections are often the site of some of the country’s most serious accidents. From multiple signals or signs, turning lanes, bicyclists, and pedestrians, each of these circumstances can cause a driver to lose their focus and cause a serious crash. 

Because intersections are often busy roads with constant traffic flowing through them, vehicle accidents often happen in these areas. It’s not uncommon for drivers to forget they’re held to a standard of care while on the road, and a split-second decision to look away or speed up to make a light can be the difference between life and death. If you’ve been involved in a car accident at an intersection due to another driver’s careless or reckless driving, you should contact an experienced intersection accident attorney who can help you seek compensation for your injuries.

Intersection Accidents: Common and Dangerous in California

While most drivers aren’t traveling at top speed at intersections, they are nonetheless prone to get into pretty bad crashes. According to studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, approximately 40 percent of all car accidents occur at intersections. That’s nearly half of all accidents happening in the United States! In fact, it’s estimated that up to 2.3 million crashes happen each year, with most resulting in injuries significant enough to require medical care. 

Common Causes of Intersection Accidents

In taking a look at the data, the Department of Transportation also analyzed which factors are the most likely to contribute to an accident. Running red lights or stop signs are some of the most common causes of intersection accidents and almost always result in the at-fault driver being required to cover the cost of the injured party’s medical expenses. Whether drivers purposely choose to run the red light or simply fail to notice it, they will usually be blamed when an accident occurs.

Failing to yield for pedestrians or vehicles with the right of way at intersections is another common cause of accidents, as is reckless driving, unsafe lane changes, and speeding. More often than not, intersection accidents are caused by either negligence or a lack of education: Either drivers don’t know or understand the rules of the road, or they simply just don’t care. Drunk driving and distracted driving also top the list as common causes of intersection accidents -- anyone who is either under the influence or distracted by their cell phone will be held liable for any injuries that occur after an accident.

Why It’s Important to Work with an Intersection Accident Attorney

After an accident that caused an injury, you’ll be busy getting healthy again. However, to ensure that you’re compensated for these injuries, you will have to prove that the other driver involved caused the accident. As you’re focusing on your health, you should let an expert handle the rest. Our intersection accident attorneys are experienced at obtaining compensation for accidents caused by negligent drivers. Contact our office today.