Intersections rank among the most hazardous spots for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. With vehicles coming from different directions and the added complications of traffic signals, stop signs, and turning lanes, the risk for a collision is high.
These crashes regularly lead to severe or even life-changing injuries since the impact is often direct and sudden. Understanding more about these accidents and who could be liable is essential for anyone injured in one. Call our car crash attorney in Washington, D.C. for a free case review at (202) 919-5453.
Common Causes of Intersection Accidents
Intersections can become chaotic, and a simple mistake is often all it takes to trigger a severe accident. Some common causes include:
- Running red lights or ignoring stop signs
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Making left turns and misguiding the speed of oncoming vehicles
- Distracted or impaired driving
- Speeding through intersections
- Poor visibility, unclear signage, or incorrect signal timing
Understanding these frequent causes can help drivers and pedestrians remain cautious in intersections.
Who Is at Fault in an Intersection Accident?
Assigning blame after an intersection accident isn’t always straightforward. Here’s who may be liable:
Other Drivers
Frequently, at-fault drivers break rules or make choices that lead directly to a crash. Running red lights, failing to yield the right of way, driving too fast through the intersection, or making careless left turns are all actions that can land a driver with most or all of the blame.
Design or Maintenance Issues
Sometimes, the intersection itself is unsafe due to improper layout, broken traffic lights, obstructed sight lines, or misleading or broken signage. In these instances, the city or another responsible government agency could share or bear full responsibility for the accident.
Pedestrians or Cyclists
While often the more vulnerable ones on the road, pedestrians or cyclists can be partly at fault in rare situations. If they enter an intersection against a signal or without warning, cars may not be able to stop in time, making liability more complex.
Shared Blame
In Washington, DC, fault in an intersection accident is not always clear-cut, and more than one party may share responsibility for a crash. DC generally uses contributory negligence rules, which means you cannot recover damages if you are found partially at fault – even just 1%.
However, there is an important exception for “vulnerable road users,” such as pedestrians, cyclists, and people using mobility devices. These individuals may still recover some compensation as long as they are not more than 50% responsible for the collision. This means that even if a vulnerable road user made a mistake, they have additional legal protection compared to drivers or passengers in vehicles.
Determining who is responsible can be complicated, but a personal injury lawyer can help you with this.
Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer for an Intersection Accident?
Hiring a personal injury lawyer in DC after an intersection accident can make a real difference in the outcome of your claim. Intersection crashes often involve multiple vehicles, conflicting accounts, and fights about who is to blame. An experienced attorney takes on these challenges to protect your interests while you focus on healing. They can help by:
- Investigating the collision, gathering evidence, and interviewing witnesses
- Handling all communications and negotiations with insurance companies intent on minimizing payouts
- Accurately calculating damages, including medical costs, missed work, future treatment, and pain and suffering
- Representing you in court if a fair settlement can’t be reached
Don’t try to face all of the legal challenges alone if you’ve been hurt in an intersection accident. Reach out to our law firm today to schedule your free consultation.