What Is the Leading Cause of Intersection Accidents?

Intersection Hazards: The Surprising Truth About Accident Hotspots

Intersections are one of the most dangerous areas for drivers, and understanding the leading cause of intersection accidents is vital to preventing them. Driver error is a huge problem with intersections and causes millions of collisions every year. 

The Smith Law Center has helped people whose lives have been turned upside down by other’s negligence for over 75 years. Our skilled legal team has safely guided individuals through various cases, including those harmed in collisions. 

If you have been in a crash, a lawyer from Smith Law Center is ready to put your rights first and help you get started on your case. Contact us online or call (757) 244-7000 to learn more about how we can get you the financial support you need following an intersection accident.

Uncovering the Leading Cause of Intersection Accidents

Roads all across America see their fair share of accidents, and intersections play a huge part in these collisions. Understanding the leading causes of intersection accidents can equip you to be a safer driver and navigate busy roadways with caution. 

The Federal Highway Administration reported that 2021 saw 11,799 fatalities from car crashes that involved intersections. Most crashes occur at intersections because of one of the following factors:

• Distracted driving, like texting while driving.
• Truck driver fatigue. 
• Ignoring traffic signals like stop signs and red lights.
• Poor visibility due to weather conditions or poorly lit roadways.
• High traffic volume.
• Speeding and breaking other traffic laws.
• Failing to yield the right of way.
• Obstructed views and poorly planned roads.
• Defective equipment.
• Wrong-way driving.

Knowing your state’s most dangerous intersections can help you reduce your risk of injury or avoid an accident altogether. 

Below are a few other factors to consider when trying to answer the question: What is the most common cause of accidents?

• Poor signage.
• High traffic volume.
• Road layouts that create blind spots and other hazards. 

Other areas that see a high number of accidents can include bridges and tunnels. 

When you are driving anywhere, it is important to know the dangers the roadways present. If you have questions regarding a car accident that you were involved in, reach out to the team at Smith Law Center for answers online or call (757) 244-7000.

Commercial Trucks Are a Serious Threat 

For example, our firm is based in Virginia. Most of our states' dangerous roads are highways or interstates, such as I-64, I-295, and US-460. 

In addition to the volume of traffic these roads see, the trucking industry uses our roadways often, leading to some of the worst crashes we experience, resulting in severe injury and sometimes death. 

As this has been a huge problem, there have been massive regulatory debates over trucker hours of service and driver fatigue. 

Drivers Need to Pay More Attention

Most crashes occur at intersections because of driver inattention. This stands out as a lead cause of intersection crashes for truck drivers and passenger vehicle drivers alike.

Often, these 5 common types of distracted driving are part of the problem: 

• The use of GPS mapping for directions.
• Texting while driving.
• Eating and drinking behind the wheel.
• Getting lost in your thoughts.
• Distractions caused by children and pets.

Also, in many states, distracted driving due to texting is illegal but continues to be a primary offense for drivers nationwide. 

Injuries Caused by Intersection Accidents

The impact of a car accident at an intersection can cause serious injuries. Depending on where the cars collided, the speed at which the accident occurred, and the types of vehicles involved, injuries can be minor or more severe. 

If you were in a rear-end accident, you would typically sustain different injuries than a person who was involved in a head-on collision or a t-bone crash, which are common at intersections. Some injuries that occur more commonly at intersections can include:

• Head and brain injury
• Whiplash and other neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Soft tissue damage
• Injury to internal organs
• Broken bones and lacerations

If you were injured in a crash at an intersection that was caused by another driver’s negligence or reckless behavior, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries. 

You could be eligible to receive a settlement to help pay your medical bills, repair your property damage, and compensate you for your emotional trauma, pain, suffering, and other losses.

Contact one of our car accident injury lawyers for help assessing your case online or call (757) 244-7000.

How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You With Your Intersection Accident Case

If you or a loved one was recently in a car accident at an intersection due to someone else’s distracted driving or other reckless behavior, a car accident lawyer from Smith Law Center may be able to help you receive a settlement. 

Determine Liability

Determining who is liable for an intersection crash is often difficult but can be established through proper evidence gathering. Our team will:

• Investigate the scene of the accident.
• Pull any CCTV or red light camera footage.
• Examine the police report and speak with any witnesses. 

We will go through all the details of your case and ensure that you have the best supporting evidence to establish the other driver’s liability.

Negotiate on Your Behalf

When it comes time to negotiate a settlement with insurance, we will create a comprehensive settlement demand encompassing all aspects of your losses, including any injuries and medical bills, property damage, wages lost, and pain and suffering. 

Should negotiations fail, we are ready to represent you in court and will fight for the best possible outcome for your case. We will discuss options with you regarding filing a lawsuit. Plus, you will not have to pay us anything unless we win your case.

Guide You Through the Complex Claims Process

We will also ensure that any of your questions are answered throughout the whole process, and we will make sure that you remain updated on every step of the process while you direct your focus on your recovery. 

We treat every client like they are family and will fight for your fair settlement to restore your financial health as well as your physical health.

The Smith Law Center’s Long History Protecting Car Accident Survivors

We know that dealing with the aftermath of a collision can be very stressful, from dealing with hounding insurance companies to trying to pay for your medical treatments. That’s why our team has served countless people on their road to recovery following an accident.

Our lawyers have won over a billion dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients, including a record-setting $7.5 million jury award to a woman who suffered from a brain injury during a car accident. Contact us online or call (757) 244-7000 for a 100% free, no-risk consultation.