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Intersections are one of the common danger zones on roadways. At these critical junctures, drivers have to pay attention to signs and signals and the movements of other drivers.
People may be turning, changing lanes, running lights, starting or stopping, and executing other maneuvers that can cause confusion. If you add in other complicating elements like bad weather or traffic, intersections can be especially challenging to navigate.
If you’re involved in an intersection accident, reach out to Bert McDowell for guidance on your case.
Bert is an esteemed personal injury attorney with an impressive track record of successful cases. His goal is to secure the compensation his clients may be entitled to for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Every case is unique, and you won’t know what options are possible until you review the specifics with a personal injury attorney. Schedule your free consultation with our experienced Hartford injury team by calling (203) 633-7449 or using our convenient form to contact us online.
It’s no surprise that more than 50 percent of fatal and severe injury crashes take place in intersections. Governments, infrastructure contractors, and highway safety organizations invest considerable resources in trying to make intersections as safe as possible, but there will always be accidents due to human error.
After an accident, insurance companies work to establish who is at fault. Determining fault is essential for determining who deserves compensation and how much money they should receive.
Connecticut is a modified comparative fault state, meaning that insurance companies will analyze how the accident occurred and assign a percentage of fault to each party. If you’re more than 50 percent at fault for the accident, you won’t be entitled to compensation since you were the primary source of the accident.
Even if you aren’t fully at fault, the law assumes that your actions could have contributed to the accident happening. For instance, speeding through an intersection or executing a poorly timed maneuver are examples of moves that could contribute to sharing fault in an accident.
If you are assigned any portion of the blame in the accident, your compensation will be reduced accordingly under state law. This is standard practice, but problems arise when insurance companies are unreasonable or unfair when working with clients.
For instance, the insurance company might assign you an outsized portion of the blame without evidence, or they might offer you a low payout that doesn’t cover your expenses.
The risk of being assigned contributory negligence greatly increases when an accident occurs at an intersection. There is a higher chance that certain events are disputed or open to interpretation.
In these situations, it’s vital to work with an attorney who understands the letter of the law and has the resources to vigorously investigate your accident’s circumstances.
When you hire a personal injury attorney, they and your team can help you by:
Intersections are among the most common sites for car accidents. Even if you do your best to pay attention and follow the road rules, unfortunately, you can’t always rely on other drivers to do their part.
Intersections are especially dangerous due to the factors described below.
Intersections can feel hectic due to all the different actions people take and the directions they take. Drivers may be turning, merging lanes, stopping, or moving straight.
Further, you often have to share the road with pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists, especially in urban areas. Issues can arise if drivers aren’t paying close attention to their surroundings.
Running a red light may seem like a small decision, especially if the light just switched from yellow. Sadly, though, red light runners cause a substantial amount of damage.
In 2021, more than 1,000 people were killed by drivers who ran red lights, and more than 127,000 people were injured. People run red lights for a variety of reasons, including inattentiveness or impatience.
Running a red light can create a life-or-death decision. Therefore, it’s best to give yourself plenty of time during your commute so that you don’t feel any need to rush.
Even if you’re not in a hurry, be sure to watch for other drivers who might make dangerous moves. Wait a few seconds after a light changes just to ensure there aren’t stragglers who rush into the intersection.
Traffic flows in several directions in an intersection. This adds to the accident risk since you could conceivably be hit by multiple cars.
For instance, if you’re waiting to turn left and you’re hit with enough force to be pushed into another lane, you could suffer an additional blow from a different car.
If you find yourself in a vulnerable spot while waiting in an intersection, be sure to keep your wits about you and pay attention to nearby cars.
Unusual factors like road construction, bad weather, or heavy traffic can add to the chaos and risk of traveling through intersections. Human error is always a consideration on the roads, but the chances of something going wrong increase when you add outside factors that confuse or frustrate drivers.
As hard as you may try, you can’t always avoid these risk factors — but you can protect yourself and others by paying attention, following road signs, and traveling at the speed limit.
Intersection accidents can happen in a matter of seconds. Since these crashes are particularly dangerous, it’s important to take rapid action.
Insurance companies will evaluate the facts to determine who is primarily at fault for an intersection accident. Some cases will be fairly open and shut.
For instance, if there is camera evidence of someone running a red light and causing a collision, there is little that can be done to defend their actions. However, the simplest things — like learning that a light wasn’t working the way it was supposed to — could change the trajectory of the case.
As a result, insurance companies have to rigorously investigate every claim they receive.
After the insurance company has all of the facts, they’ll assign a percentage of fault to each party in the accident. The parties can negotiate with the insurance company if they feel the results are unfair, but it can be a challenge to take on an insurance company without having a skilled lawyer to represent your interests.
Intersection accidents can be life-changing. If you’re suffering as the result of another driver’s negligence, or if you’re fighting an uphill battle with the insurance company to receive compensation, Bert McDowell can help.
With over 100 five-star reviews from happy clients, you can trust Bert to handle your case in a fair and skilled manner. Known for his communication skills, attention to detail, and dedication to his clients, Bert has the skills and attitude necessary to fight on your behalf.
Schedule a free, no-obligation case review with Bert and his Hartford injury law team when you call (203) 633-7449 or contact us online.