Common Causes Of Intersection Accidents
When people think of motor vehicle accidents, they often think of highways and other open roads. However, intersections can also be dangerous. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), over 50 percent of fatal and injury crashes happen at or near intersections. Many accidents at intersections are side-impact/T-bone collisions. This is a crash where the side of a vehicle is impacted. Side-impact crashes can result in serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, neck injuries, back injuries, and cuts.
Because of how common and dangerous intersection accidents are, it is crucial that you protect yourself. By knowing about the causes of intersection accidents, you can protect yourself.
What Causes Intersection Accidents?
Intersection accidents can happen for various reasons. But most intersection accidents are caused by driver negligence. The following are some of the most common negligent acts that cause intersection accidents;
Running a Red Light or Stop Sign
It is against the law to run a red light or stop sign. Unfortunately, drivers still run red lights and stop signs, although it is against the law. According to the FHWA, a driver runs a red light every twenty minutes at an intersection. If other drivers at or near an intersection do not have time to react after a driver runs a red light or stop sign, an accident can happen, causing injuries or death.
Making a Left Turn
Making a left turn at an intersection is dangerous. A driver turning left at an intersection must look out for pedestrians and other vehicles before making the turn. A serious accident can occur if a driver is not careful when making a left turn at an intersection.
Speeding
Sometimes, when drivers are approaching an intersection, they speed up in an attempt to beat the yellow light before it turns red. Some drivers regard a yellow light as a signal to speed up instead of a signal to slow down. Unfortunately, those drivers who speed through the intersection in an attempt to beat the yellow light can cause accidents that result in severe injuries and death.
Failing To Yield the Right of Way
Right of way refers to another driver’s, pedestrian’s, motorcyclist’s, or bicyclist’s right to go first. Yielding the right of way means allowing another driver, bicyclist, pedestrian, or motorcyclist to proceed first. For example, in Florida, if two or more vehicles get to an intersection at the same time, the motorist on the left is required to yield to the motorist on the right. If a driver fails to yield the right of way at an intersection, they can cause an accident.
Distracted Driving
If a driver is not paying attention to the road but is instead focused on their phone or otherwise distracted, this distraction could result in an accident. Distractions can lead to poor decision-making. They can lead to delayed reactions or rushed maneuvers that end up causing serious accidents.
Legal Help Is Available
Our Miami personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you after an intersection accident happens because of another driver’s negligence.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale, Ocala, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa, Daytona Beach, Bradenton, Naples, Melbourne, and West Palm Beach areas.
Source:
highways.dot.gov/research/research-programs/safety/intersection-safety#:~:text=More%20than%2050%20percent%20of%20the%20combined%20total%20of%20fatal%20and%20injury%20crashes%20occur%20at%20or%20near%20intersections
