Roadway intersection accidents are surprisingly dangerous. As numerous vehicles converge at one point, staying safe in these areas requires awareness and safe driving behaviors. Unfortunately, drivers never always follow the rules of the road and traffic signals. It is unusual to witness another driver barreling through a red light at an intersection. Sometimes, it is possible to prevent an intersection car accident, but it doesn’t always happen.
Why Car Crashes Often Happen at Intersections
Car accidents occurring at the intersections are a common phenomenon. To reduce the risk of colliding with a vehicle at an intersection, drivers should carefully observe the roadway and all cars within their line of sight, as well as consider vehicles that may not yet be visible due to being behind obstacles.
Intersection accidents occur because of confusion over who has the right of way. Numerous drivers assume that they have the right-of-way as soon as their light turns green, but that’s not always the case. The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield right-of-way to a car already within the intersection.
In other words, accidents at intersections happen for a wide range of reasons, including driver negligence, traffic violations, or even weather conditions.
Types of Intersection Car Collisions
Car accidents that take place at intersections aren’t always the same. Some common types of intersection crashes include
T-Bone Crashes
T-bone crashes are side-impact collisions in which two cars form a “T” shape on impact. Sometimes, they are referred to as broadside collisions. These crashes are most common when a driver fails to yield the right of way or runs a red light.
Vehicles have less protection on their sides than on the front or back, so side-impact crashes do cause severe injuries. Newer vehicles have improved frames and side airbags, but the side is still one of the weaker areas of a car.
Rear-End Collisions
If a driver fails to maintain an adequate stopping distance and is engaged in distracted driving, they risk running into cars in front of them that slow or stop unexpectedly. Run-of-the-mill fender benders, as many call rear-end collisions, can be minor, with little to no injury.
That is not always the case, and a rear-end collision can also be quite dangerous, especially if the vehicle is traveling at a high speed. Even relatively minor rear-end collisions may cause whiplash or other neck and back pain.
What are the Causes of Intersection Accidents?
About 96 percent of all intersection-related accidents had critical reasons that affect drivers. As a result, while no two accidents are the same, some of the leading causes of accidents at or near intersections include:
Failing to stop at a stop sign or red light
Drivers who disobey road signs or traffic signals can lead to disastrous accidents, resulting in massive property damage, serious injuries, and fatalities when the collision occurs at high speeds.
Trying to beat the yellow light
A yellow light indicates that traffic needs to clear the intersection. Unfortunately, numerous drivers see a yellow light as an invitation to speed up, which prevents collisions with other vehicles traveling through the intersection.
Making a prohibited turn
Turns are not allowed at all intersections. Making a prohibited turn can increase the likelihood of accidents near the intersection.
Turning left or right when the maneuver is unsafe
Many intersections allow drivers to turn left or right at red lights. A driver who is planning to turn left or right cannot impede traffic or execute the maneuver when it is unsafe.
Being distracted
Car drivers must always pay their full attention to the road, which is particularly important when driving through intersections. Distracted drivers using their mobile phones are more likely to make errors.
Who Is a Car Accident Lawyer?
A car accident lawyer is a legal professional who deals with personal injury law, particularly car accidents. Our legal professionals represent the victims who got injured in intersection car crashes and seek heavy compensation for their losses, including physical pain and suffering, injuries, lost wages, property damage, and many more. We follow a contingency fee structure, as mandated by Florida law, when you hire our car accident lawyer. It means you won’t pay us until we settle your case or win it.
Responsibilities of an Intersection Car Accident Lawyer
Our intersection car accident attorney has been representing the victims in Florida for more than a decade. The responsibility is to provide you with thorough legal assistance and help you receive the compensation that is rightfully yours. Our attorneys are well-versed in the local laws of Florida and have the latest legal updates. Here, we will take a look at how the attorneys handle your case from start to finish.
Investigation and Case Evaluation
Our car accident attorneys begin by carefully investigating the case and gathering all the relevant facts.
This investigation is critical. You need to understand the circumstances of the crash and clearly determine who is at fault. At Abercrombie, we obtain the police reports, including the names of those cited at the time of the collision, witness statements, and the number of traffic violations that occurred.
Collect Witness Statements
Witness testimony is an essential component in building your intersection accident case. Our legal practitioners find witnesses and conduct thorough interviews with them. They also collect all sorts of evidence about how exactly the intersection accidents took place.
The attorney gathers evidence like photographs of the accident scene, detailed medical records, surveillance footage, and the causes of intersection accidents. With the help of this evidence, our lawyer can establish the extent of your injuries and the damage caused by the accident. Our car accident lawyer will handle the entire investigation process, allowing you to focus on your recovery quickly.
Determining Liability and Fault
The essential duty of our car accident lawyer is to identify the at-fault party who is legally responsible for the accident. Our Lawyer will use their legal expertise to assess all available evidence on who was basically at fault and how exactly liability gets distributed. This step is critical in ensuring that the right party is held accountable for your injuries and damages.
Negotiate with Insurance Companies
Right after a devastating car accident, it becomes an overwhelming task to deal with the insurance companies. At times, the insurance company offers meagre settlements compared to what you exactly deserve. In this situation, it is the car accident lawyer who rightfully negotiates with the insurance companies. Therefore, they ensure that their clients receive fair settlements in the end. Lawyers understand the tactics followed by insurance companies and can quickly handle complex negotiations for you. These attorneys know how to rightfully assess your injuries, lost wages, and other damages to ensure that your settlement reflects the full extent of your losses.
Representing a Victim in Court
Most intersection accident cases get settled outside the court, but some may proceed to trial. Through negotiation, if the case cannot be solved, then our car accident attorney will represent you in court. If it is a necessity, our Lawyer will thoroughly examine the witnesses, present evidence, and make legal arguments to demonstrate the other party’s liability and the extent of injuries that exist in reality. Further, the legal practitioner will challenge the testimony of the defendant and other witnesses. They will aim to weaken the opposition’s case by strengthening yours.
Conclusion
Our car accident lawyers have expertise in personal injury law and are familiar with Florida’s local rules. They have knowledge of comparative negligence and the statute of limitations for filing claims. Furthermore, our lawyers are skilled negotiators who ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your injuries, property damage, and other types of losses. Therefore, handling a car accident claim can be really overwhelming when you deal with injuries and medical bills. Lawyers often take the burden off your shoulders, allowing you to focus entirely on recovery. Our car accident lawyer ensures that you receive fair compensation after an intersection accident. The attorney not only negotiates with the insurance company but also represents the victim in court. We help you protect your rights and navigate the legal complexities of personal injury claims.
