Intersection accidents are among the most common types of car wrecks and the most devastating. What makes these accidents even more terrible is that most of them are avoidable. They usually occur because someone makes a mistake, such as being distracted or speeding.
The following is a deeper look at why intersection accidents happen and the injuries that often result. You’ll also learn why you need to hire a car accident lawyer if you’ve suffered an injury in this type of accident and it wasn’t your fault.
Understanding Intersection Accidents
Intersection accidents cause about 25 percent of traffic deaths and 50 percent of all injuries resulting from car wrecks yearly. These collisions come in many forms and often have far-reaching consequences for drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Here are some of the more common wrecks that occur at intersections.
T-Bone Collisions
One of the most common and devastating types of intersection accidents is the broadside collision, often referred to as a T-bone accident. This accident occurs when the front end of one vehicle collides with the side of another, forming a T-shape upon impact.
These collisions are extremely dangerous because most vehicles have minimal side protection compared to the front or rear. The severity of injuries in broadside collisions is often worse since the sides of vehicles lack the crumple zones and safety features commonly found in front and rear areas.
There are several causes of broadside collisions, with failure to yield being one of the most significant culprits. Drivers who neglect traffic signals or signs or misjudge the right of way can find themselves in a T-bone collision scenario.
Also, distracted driving, such as texting or talking on the phone, can contribute to a driver’s failure to observe traffic. They’ll often plow into another vehicle’s side due to inattention.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions, while not exclusive to intersections, often occur when vehicles approach crossroads. These accidents involve one vehicle striking the rear end of another, and they can result from various factors such as sudden stops, misjudgments of distance, or distracted driving.
The risk of rear-end collisions is higher at intersections as vehicles stop or slow down for traffic signals or signs. Drivers who fail to brake in time or maintain a safe following distance may hit the back of another car. Sudden lane changes or unexpected maneuvers by other drivers can contribute to the domino effect, causing a chain reaction of rear-end collisions.
Failure to Yield
Failure to yield is another common cause of intersection accidents and injuries. This violation occurs when a driver neglects to grant the right of way to another vehicle or pedestrian, as traffic laws require. The failure to yield is a root cause of broadside and side-impact collisions and other intersection-related accidents.
The complexities of determining the right of way at intersections, with traffic signals, stop signs, and yield signs playing distinct roles, can lead to confusion and misjudgments. Drivers who disregard these traffic control measures or misinterpret the actions of others may cause life-changing wrecks.
Running Red Lights
Running red lights is another blatant violation that significantly heightens the risk of intersection accidents. Researchers estimate that about 165,000 people suffer severe injuries yearly due to red light runners. Drivers who ignore traffic signals jeopardize their safety and the safety of others crossing the intersection.
Red-light running often results in T-bone intersection accidents. The red light runner slams into their side as one driver proceeds through the intersection after the light turns green. Pedestrians and bicyclists are even more vulnerable, often suffering severe injuries and death.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving has emerged as a pervasive issue contributing to intersection accidents. More than 3,500 deaths occurred in 2021 due to this problem. With the ubiquity of smartphones and in-car entertainment systems, drivers may divert their attention from the road, increasing the likelihood of collisions.
Distractions behind the wheel can have terrible consequences, especially at intersections where drivers must process complex traffic situations. Texting, talking on the phone, or engaging in other distracting activities divert a driver’s focus, impairing their ability to recognize traffic signals, yield to others, or make split-second decisions to avoid collisions.
Speeding
Speeding can also increase the severity of intersection accidents. Drivers who exceed posted speed limits or fail to adjust their speed to match traffic conditions can’t react as quickly to sudden changes in the intersection environment.
Excessive speed contributes to a variety of intersection accidents. These include broadside collisions, where a speeding vehicle may not stop in time, and rear-end collisions, where the impact force is intensified.
Speeding can reduce a driver’s control over their vehicle, heightening the risk of collisions at intersections where split-second decisions can be the difference between safety and catastrophe.
Injuries Resulting From Intersection Accidents
Intersection accidents can lead to a range of injuries, some of which can lead to long-term debilitation. These injuries can impact various body parts, and their severity depends on factors such as the speed of the vehicles involved, the angle of collision, and safety features in place. Here are some common injuries associated with intersection accidents:
- Whiplash: One of the most prevalent injuries in rear-end collisions, whiplash occurs when the impact forcefully jerks the head backward and forward, putting an intense strain on the ligaments and muscles in the neck. Symptoms may include severe pain, headaches, and extensive stiffness.
- Fractures: High-impact collisions can result in broken bones, ranging from minor fractures to compound fractures requiring surgery and extended rehabilitation
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): The force of impact in intersection accidents can cause the brain to strike the skull, leading to concussions or more severe TBIs. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, memory loss, and cognitive difficulties
- Spinal cord injuries: Accidents at intersections can cause total or partial paralysis due to severe spinal cord damage. Victims often need extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Internal injuries: Blunt force trauma in a collision can cause internal injuries to the kidneys, spleen, liver, and other organs. Internal bleeding may not be immediately apparent, making prompt medical attention crucial
- Soft tissue injuries: Intersection accidents can severely damage tendons, ligaments, and muscles, resulting in pain, swelling, and restricted mobility.
How Car Accident Attorneys Investigate Intersection Accidents
You’ll need proof to win your case if you seek compensation for a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence. A car accident lawyer can investigate to gather that proof.
The aftermath of an intersection accident is often chaotic, with emotions running high and details easily overlooked. Your attorney can piece together the puzzle by conducting an exhaustive investigation. The investigation aims to establish liability, laying the groundwork for a solid legal case.
These are just a few of the components of investigations into intersection accidents.
Gathering Evidence at the Accident Scene
Examining the scene is the foundation of effective intersection accident investigations. Lawyers meticulously scrutinize every detail, from the placement of vehicles to the presence of skid marks on the road. These physical markers offer valuable insights into the dynamics of the collision, helping attorneys reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the accident.
Obtaining Traffic Light Data
Traffic signal data is another critical component of an investigation. Attorneys determine whether drivers obeyed or ignored signals. Analyzing this data contributes to establishing fault, shedding light on whether one or more parties failed to adhere to traffic laws.
Gathering Witness Statements
Attorneys interview individuals at the scene, capturing their perspectives on the events leading up to the collision. These statements can support or challenge other evidence.
Collecting Video Evidence
Surveillance footage can be a powerful tool in the hands of a car accident attorney. Video evidence can offer an unbiased account of the accident, capturing crucial moments that eyewitnesses might have missed or misinterpreted. This visual documentation can significantly strengthen your case by providing an objective record of the incident.
Determining Liability
After the investigation, lawyers focus on determining liability for intersection accidents. This process involves comprehensively analyzing the collected evidence to establish fault. Attorneys leave no stone unturned, carefully examining traffic laws, witness testimonies, and expert opinions to build the most compelling case possible.
Traffic Laws
Traffic laws are critical to assessing liability. Your lawyer will deeply understand local, state, and federal regulations governing intersections. By aligning the evidence with these legal standards, attorneys can pinpoint instances of negligence, reckless driving, or violations that contributed to the accident.
Witness Statements
Car accident attorneys carefully evaluate the credibility and consistency of statements, identifying patterns that either support or challenge the established facts. Lawyers may also seek expert opinions from accident reconstruction specialists to provide a scientific analysis of the dynamics of intersection accidents, further bolstering the case.
Lawyers use these statements to present a compelling and persuasive argument. Witness statements highlight the actions that lead to intersection accidents and emphasize the consequences of those actions on the victim. The goal is to create a case that forces the responsible party to face accountability for their negligence.
Calculating Damages
Determining the full extent of damages requires a skilled, detailed approach. Car accident attorneys collaborate with medical professionals, economists, and other experts to assess various aspects of the victim’s tangible and intangible losses. These losses often include the following:
Medical Bills
Medical expenses form a significant component of damages in intersection accidents. For example, a severe TBI can cost the victim nearly $3 million over their lifetime.
Attorneys work closely with healthcare providers to compile detailed records of medical treatments, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. These records serve as a foundation for quantifying past and future medical expenses, helping relieve victims of the financial burdens associated with their recovery.
Lost Income and Lost Earning Capacity
When people suffer severe injuries in intersection accidents, they often can’t work for weeks, months, or even years. Attorneys work to ensure victims receive compensation for all the income they’ve lost due to the at-fault driver’s carelessness.
Lost earning capacity is another critical element in calculating damages. Car accident lawyers work with economic experts to evaluate the impact of the injuries on the victim’s ability to work. Economic experts typically project future earnings, factor in potential promotions, and consider the long-term consequences of the injuries on a victim’s employment prospects.
Pain and Suffering
Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, pose a unique challenge in the calculation process. Attorneys draw on their experience and legal skills to assign these intangible losses a monetary value. They may present compelling arguments, supported by medical evidence and expert testimony, to convey the emotional and psychological toll the accident has taken on the victim.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Once your car accident attorney determines liability, they’ll then focus on the challenging task of negotiating with insurance companies. Insurance adjusters, representing the interests of the at-fault party’s insurer, may employ various tactics to minimize payouts or even deny claims. This is where the experience of a seasoned attorney becomes invaluable.
Skilled lawyers leverage their experience and knowledge of insurance practices to navigate the complexities of negotiations. They’re well-versed in insurance companies’ strategies and are prepared to counteract attempts to downplay the extent of injuries or shift blame onto the victim.
Negotiations often involve a delicate balance between advocating for the injured party’s rights and understanding the nuances of insurance policies. Attorneys carefully review insurance documents, exploring every avenue for compensation. They may have back-and-forth conversations with adjusters, presenting evidence and legal arguments to support their client’s claim.
These negotiations aim to secure a fair and just compensation package that adequately covers the victim’s medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Car accident attorneys understand the importance of thorough preparation and effective communication, working tirelessly for the best possible outcome in a client’s case.
Find Out More About How a Car Accident Attorney Can Help
As you can see, intersection accidents can be complicated. Only a seasoned car accident attorney has the experience, knowledge, and skill to handle the complexities. Hiring a personal injury lawyer will provide your only chance of getting the money you deserve, so please contact one as soon as you can.