When you drive to work every day, intersections are just another part of the road. You don’t really think about them until something bad happens.
However, intersections often pose a safety risk to drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Half of serious collisions happen at intersections in the U.S., which makes them one of the most dangerous areas on any road.
Why Intersections Are So Dangerous
An intersection is an area where multiple roads converge, bringing together vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Each road user travels at a different speed when they pass through or stop at an intersection. Each one has a different intention while at an intersection.
Combine this with limited visibility, broken traffic lights, and a lack of defensive driving knowledge, and you will have a volatile situation on your hands. Even the smallest misjudgment can lead to a massive accident.
Common Causes of Intersection Collisions
Intersection accidents happen when drivers (and pedestrians or cyclists) do not follow the rules of the road. For instance, according to Federal Highway Administration data, a driver runs a red light every 20 minutes in the U.S.
When this unexpectedly happens in an intersection when other drivers are already crossing on a green light, it can lead to a serious accident. This is because there is not always enough time to react, depending on how fast the at-fault driver goes.
Many drivers also speed up instead of slowing down when approaching a yellow light. This is a huge problem, considering that to the sides of the offending driver, other drivers are gearing up to cross on a green light.
Furthermore, drivers must know when and how to yield right of way in an intersection. If they do not do this and cause an accident, it could result in serious injuries or even fatalities.
Other Causes of Intersection Accidents
Considering how many people drive with their phones in their hands these days, it is no surprise that distracted driving is one of the main causes of intersection accidents. When drivers take their eyes off the road to check a message at an intersection, they may miss traffic signals. They could also miss a pedestrian crossing in front of them when they step on the gas.
Just a few seconds of distraction can have disastrous and even fatal consequences. The same goes for misjudgment of distance and speed. When drivers navigate an intersection, they must judge other vehicles’ speed and distances.
This is especially true when a driver wants to turn left or merge into fast-moving lanes.
Misjudgments happen when drivers overestimate the time they have to cross or turn. Or, they could simply turn too slowly, and an oncoming driver may not anticipate this. This could lead to a huge accident.
Unfortunately, road rage is also one of the main causes of serious intersection accidents. Some drivers tailgate, speed, or make sudden lane changes within intersections. This often happens because they are frustrated with the amount of traffic or because they are in a hurry to get somewhere.
Aggressive drivers are far more likely to make bad decisions, including running red lights and failing to yield.
Environmental and Design Factors
Sometimes, an accident is not only a driver’s fault. Some intersections may have limited visibility because of overgrown trees, parked cars, or signs. When drivers cannot see beyond these obstacles, they cannot see oncoming vehicles or pedestrians until it is too late.
Intersections are often confusing as well. Some have strange layouts or multiple lanes with dedicated turn signals that can intimidate new drivers or those unfamiliar with that specific intersection.
Moreover, weather conditions can also make intersections far more dangerous than they need to be. Rain and snow make it harder to stop quickly, while fog further impairs visibility.
Legal Considerations After an Intersection Collision
Knowing your rights and obligations is important if you are involved in an intersection collision. Whenever there is an intersection accident, there are also questions of liability. This is because multiple drivers may be at fault for an accident.
A lawyer can help you assess your case and tell you whether you are eligible for damages compensation. This includes compensation for medical expenses if you are injured and lost wages if you cannot work for a while.
If you are severely injured in an intersection accident, you may be able to sue the at-fault driver directly. A lawyer can help you file a personal injury case in this situation.
Seeking legal counsel should always be your first step if you want to pursue compensation. This is your best chance of getting the compensation you deserve.