Tips To Help You Avoid Intersection Accidents

At intersections, there are many road users and multiple changes of direction. Because of this, intersection accidents are quite common. It is estimated that over 50% of all fatal and injury traffic crashes happen at or near intersections. Accidents that occur at or near intersections include rear-end accidents, T-bone accidents, head-on collisions, and multiple-car crashes. Fortunately, there are several ways of preventing intersection accidents. The following are some tips to help you avoid intersection accidents.

Slow Down

When approaching an intersection, you should slow down. For example, if you do not slow down when approaching an intersection, you might not have enough time to stop to react to a yellow light changing to red. In a situation where you’re unable to respond in time to a yellow light turning red at an intersection, you could find yourself in an intersection when other cars are coming through. Never try to beat yellow lights.

Check for Other Vehicles

Even when you have the right of way, you should check for other motorists twice before entering an intersection. Sometimes, distracted drivers may fail to see a stop sign, so be on the lookout.

Avoid Distracted Driving

You should always avoid texting while driving, eating/drinking while driving, daydreaming, talking to other passengers, and other distractions. But, it is especially crucial that you avoid distracted driving at intersections. Traffic is moving in different directions at intersections, so you need to stay focused in case something unexpected happens.

Pay Attention to Traffic Control Devices

Before reaching an intersection, pay close attention to the traffic control devices. Note things such as whether both directions get a turn signal at the same time and where the turn lanes are. Doing this enables you to understand the traffic flow and know what you need to obey once you get to the intersection.

Use Your Turn Signals

It is crucial that other drivers anticipate your next move at an intersection. Therefore, ensure you use your turn signals if you intend to turn. If you do not use your turn signal when turning, another driver might not know you are turning and might hit you or pull out in front of you. Using your turn signals at an intersection allows other drivers to adjust their driving accordingly.

Be Aware of Trucks

Because of the size of trucks, they need a lot of space when making a turn. Therefore, ensure you give trucks extra room to make turns.

Drive Defensively

When approaching an intersection, it is best that you assume all other road users may not yield the right-of-way. It is best that you assume other road users will ignore traffic signs. That way, you will be more vigilant.

What To Do When the Worst Happens

Unfortunately, no matter how much of a safe driver you are, you cannot control other people’s actions. If you sustain injuries in an intersection accident because of another party’s negligence, reach out to a qualified personal injury attorney, as you may be eligible to recover compensation.

Contact Us for Legal Help

If, despite doing your best to be a safe driver, you’re injured in an intersection accident because of another party’s negligence, do not hesitate to contact our Tampa personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm for legal help.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando, Ocala, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, and West Palm Beach areas.

Source:

highways.dot.gov/research/research-programs/safety/intersection-safety#:~:text=More%20than%2050%20percent%20of,occur%20at%20or%20near%20intersections