Car accidents at intersections happen with tremendous frequency. According to figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, more than half of all serious collisions are intersection related. Yet it can be challenging to figure out who was at fault after an intersection accident. Often, it takes a team to deconstruct what happened and determine where negligence lies.
If you drive, you likely go through several intersections every day. Intersections are where roads converge at a single spot. Sometimes, intersections use stop signs to control the flow of traffic. Other times, they rely on stoplights. However, even with these precautionary measures in place, drivers still get into accidents regularly.
What makes intersections such dangerous places when it comes to the potential for crashes? One answer is the sheer number of vehicles moving in and out of the intersection. Another may be confusing signage or drivers unaccustomed to navigating complicated intersections. Sometimes, the underlying issue is a malfunctioning stoplight.
It is worth mentioning that pedestrians and cyclists can be an additional reason for intersection confusion. In both urban and suburban areas, many intersections include walkways marked on the pavement. Traffic should always yield to foot traffic and bicycle riders, which adds another layer of complexity into the mix.
Car accident lawyers frequently see the same types of accidents coming from intersection collisions. These include the following:
A driver or passenger can experience any type of personal injury after an intersection accident. A few more common injuries include whiplash, concussion, broken bones, internal damage, spinal cord injuries, mild and deep bruising, lacerations, and amputations.
It is critical for you and your passengers to be evaluated by a medical professional after any kind of intersection accident. Some injuries are not obvious until later. The sooner you receive a diagnosis, the sooner you can undergo proper treatment.
You were involved in an intersection accident. Now, you want to file a claim. However, who is at fault? You may want to talk with a car accident lawyer before taking your next step.
Pinpointing who was negligent might not be as clear as it seems. For instance, you may have been rear-ended at a stoplight. The light turned green, you waited to accelerate, and the driver behind you hit your vehicle in anticipation that you would move. In your mind, the fault was the driver behind you. Yet what if you were checking your text messages instead of paying attention to the stoplight? A video at the intersection could reveal that you were distracted, which would mean that you might have contributed to the accident.
Many intersection accidents are complicated. They require a little investigation to analyze what occurred and why it occurred. Maybe the stoplight was green to all drivers, leading to a pile-up in the middle of the intersection or a T-bone collision. Anything is possible.
This is the reason it is important not to assign blame to anyone directly after your accident. Remember that the concept of negligence can be complicated. Consequently, figuring out who was at fault may take more time than you assumed.
What if you contributed to your intersection accident in some way? Can you still make a claim against the other driver? In Washington DC or Virginia, the answer is no.
Both Washington DC and Virginia follow some form of contributory negligence. Put simply, if you contributed to the accident in any way, you cannot win a claim against another party. You may still be able to receive some money from your personal auto insurance policy to cover some repair bills or medical expenses. However, you cannot file a claim against the other driver.
There are many notorious intersections in and around Washington DC that are known for being the sites of accidents. If you get involved in a crash at any intersection, remember to follow a few simple rules:
Intersection accidents tend to be sudden and may be violent and catastrophic. Figuring out fault may be the last thing on your mind. Availing yourself of the assistance of a car accident lawyer to take over your case can give you room to get your life back on track.
If you were involved in an accident at an intersection, reach out to the Washington DC car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Duane O. King. Our experienced team will investigate the cause of the accident and will be your advocate so that you receive full and fair compensation. Call us today at 202-331-1963 or contact us online for a free consultation. Located in Washington DC, Alexandria, Virginia, and National Harbor, Maryland, we work with clients in Prince George’s County, including Laurel, Beltsville, Adelphi, College Park, Greenbelt, Mitchellville, Woodmore, Greater Upper Marlboro, Springdale, Largo, Bowie, Capitol Heights, District Heights, Forestville, Suitland, Seat Pleasant, Clinton, Oxon Hill, Temple Hills, and Fort Washington.
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