Intersections are some of the most dangerous places on the road because so many cars are heading in different directions. If a driver isn’t paying attention or is being purposefully reckless, they could cause a catastrophic collision. Sometimes it’s difficult to determine fault in an intersection accident, but a personal injury lawyer can gather evidence to prove it. Multani Law Group stands up for people injured in accidents.
Intersections
An intersection is simply where two paths of traffic merge, cross each other, or diverge. There are two main types. At-grade intersections are where the roads meet on the same surface level, while grade-separated intersections have different levels because of bridges, ramps, or overpasses. Stoplights control intersection traffic flow, along with stop or yield signs, right-of-way laws, and the intersection’s physical design.
Causes of Intersection Accidents
Many reasons can cause intersection accidents, but the most common general causes are negligence or recklessness. Burien has many intersections, and so intersection accidents are not uncommon in the area.
- Running a red light or a stop sign is a common cause of intersection crashes. Sometimes people aren’t paying attention and don’t see the stop sign or that the light has turned red; other times, they ignore them, thinking they can rush through. When a driver doesn’t stop, they can hit oncoming traffic or pedestrians. It’s difficult for the not-at-fault driver to react in time to prevent an accident because they aren’t expecting someone to disobey the law and suddenly be where they shouldn’t.
- Another leading cause of intersection accidents is drivers failing to yield the right-of-way. For example, drivers may make left turns without checking for oncoming traffic. Another situation where right-of-way comes into play is at four-way stops. Cars should go in the order they arrived at the stop, and if someone goes when it isn’t their turn, they could cause an accident.
- Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents, including intersection accidents. Drivers might think that a few seconds of looking at their phone or not paying attention to the road will be fine, but even a brief distraction can lead to an accident. Intersections run smoothly and safely when everyone obeys the law and pays attention.
- Sometimes drivers misjudge a situation, which can lead to a crash. They may think they have enough time before the light turns red and speed through a yellow light. Or, they may not realize how fast oncoming traffic is traveling and try to make a right-hand turn. Regardless of the specifics, misjudgment on the road can cause a crash at an intersection.
- Other causes of intersection accidents include traffic light malfunctions, poor visibility, and slippery roads.
Fault in an Intersection Accident
The at-fault driver is usually the one who acted recklessly or negligently by speeding, disobeying the law, or driving while distracted. Drivers have a duty of care to others on the road, which means they must stay alert, drive carefully, and follow traffic laws. To prove fault, you have to prove that they breached this duty of care. You also have to prove that the breach caused your injuries.
You can prove fault in intersection accidents with evidence such as traffic or dash-cam footage, witness accounts, accident analysis, physical evidence at the scene (such as skid marks and vehicle positions), and more. A personal injury attorney can prove fault so the victim can recover damages.
Talk to a Burien Car Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one was injured in an intersection accident, you may not know what steps to take next. Schedule a case consultation with our experienced car accident injury attorneys at Multani Law Group to get started on the path toward justice. In the aftermath of being injured in an accident, it’s important to stand up for your rights to get full compensation for what you went through. Multani Law Group will represent you and fight for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Intersection Accidents
What are all the types of intersections where an accident could happen?
Intersections include interchanges, roundabouts, crossroads, T- and Y-intersections, staggered intersections, and multileg intersections. Four-way intersections (crossroads) have the most accidents, while roundabouts (traffic circles) are considered the safest.
What types of intersection accidents cause the worst injuries?
Any intersection accident can result in injury to the people involved, but high-speed crashes, head-on collisions, or rollover accidents are more likely to result in serious injuries. Intersection accidents involving pedestrians or motorcyclists are also more likely to cause serious injuries.
What happens if there’s a motorcycle accident at an intersection?
Motorcyclists are at risk of injury in intersection accidents because other drivers may misjudge their speed or not see the motorcyclist. Because motorcyclists don’t have the same outer protection as people in cars, motorcyclists are more likely to be seriously injured in auto accidents.
What types of evidence can be used to prove fault in an intersection accident?
Personal injury lawyers can use various types of evidence to prove fault in an intersection accident case, including eyewitness testimony, surveillance footage, and professional accident scene analysis. Personal injury lawyers compile evidence to put forward a strong case.
Why are intersection accident cases complicated?
Intersection accidents can be complicated because they often involve liability disputes, multiple vehicles or parties, serious injuries, or conflicting accounts of what happened. Because intersection accident claims are so challenging to navigate, it’s crucial to have a lawyer on your side.
Can more than one driver be at fault for an intersection accident in Washington?
Yes. Washington allows fault to be divided among the people or entities whose actions contributed to an accident. An injured person may still recover compensation even if they share some responsibility, but their compensation may be reduced based on their percentage of fault.
What should I do immediately after an intersection accident?
Move to a safe location if possible, call for emergency assistance, and seek medical care for your injuries. Photograph the vehicles, traffic signals, signs, road conditions, skid marks, and surrounding area. You should also collect contact information from witnesses and obtain the responding officer’s report information.
Can traffic-camera footage help prove who caused an intersection accident?
Traffic-camera, surveillance, and dash-cam footage may help show the position of the vehicles, the color of a traffic signal, a driver’s speed, or whether someone failed to yield. Because recordings may not be preserved indefinitely, it can be important to identify and request potentially relevant footage promptly.
How long do I have to file an intersection accident lawsuit in Washington?
Washington generally provides three years to file an action for personal injury. Different rules or deadlines may apply depending on the circumstances, including the parties involved, so injured people should have an attorney evaluate their specific deadline.
What compensation may be available after an intersection accident?
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, future treatment, lost income, reduced earning ability, pain and suffering, vehicle damage, and other documented losses. The amount available depends on your injuries, the evidence, your insurance coverage, and how fault is allocated.
Talk to a Washington Car Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in an accident caused by an uninsured driver, you do not have to figure out the process alone. Multani Law Group helps injured people understand their options, deal with insurance issues, and pursue compensation after serious car