Intersection Accidents
Roadway intersections require drivers to know and follow the rules of right of way, make instant decisions, and take all reasonable measures to avoid causing accidents. Unfortunately, according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), nearly half of all car accidents with injuries and a quarter of traffic fatalities occur in intersections. Roadway planners design guided and unguided intersections in ways meant to facilitate smooth traffic flow, but when multiple lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions meet, accidents are unfortunately common. Some intersections are poorly planned, have inadequate signage, or are unnecessarily complex, but the most common cause of intersection accidents is driver error.
What Causes Intersection Accidents In Georgia?
In some cases, inclement weather, poor road conditions, lack of adequate signage, or mechanical failures cause intersection accidents, but more commonly, collisions in intersections result from a driver’s negligent or reckless action. Common causes of intersection accidents in Georgia include the following:
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Distracted driving
- Tailgating
- Failing to use signal lights
- Left-turn collisions
- Right-turn collisions
- Running red lights
- Excessive speed when approaching an intersection
- Failure to adjust stopping time to wet or icy road conditions
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Drunk driving
Accidents in intersections include single-car accidents such as collisions with obstacles and roadway departures as well as two-car collisions.
What Types of Accidents Happen In Intersections?
Many drivers make errors in intersections or take intentional actions such as trying to cross an intersection before a yellow light turns red, running a stop sign, or making an illegal U-turn. Common types of accidents in intersections include:
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone accidents (angle collisions or broadside accidents)
- Sideswipe accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Multi-car pileups
Before a car accident injury victim in Georgia can recover compensation for their damages, they must show that another driver or other negligent party caused the accident and file a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance.
Proving Liability In a Georgia Intersection Accident Claim
It often takes a thorough investigation to determine which driver caused an intersection accident, using evidence such as traffic camera video, photographs, eyewitness testimony, and vehicle forensics. Recovering compensation requires documenting compelling evidence of the following aspects of liability:
- The at-fault party owed a duty of care to the car accident victim and others on the roadway to take reasonable measures to avoid an accident
- They breached this duty through negligent or reckless actions
- Their breach of duty directly caused the accident and injury
- The injury victim suffered damages from the injury
Damages in intersection accident claims commonly include property damage, medical expenses, lost earnings, and compensation for pain and suffering. If a loved one dies in an intersection, you may be able to recover compensation through a wrongful death claim.
Call the Intersection Accident Attorneys In Georgia
In fault-based insurance states, the injury victim has the burden of proving another party’s negligence. Insurance companies commonly deny, dispute, or undervalue claims to protect their profits at the car accident victim’s expense. Instead of allowing the insurance adjuster assigned to your intersection accident claim perform the only investigation, it’s advantageous to have skilled representation from a car accident attorney in Atlanta to protect your rights and best interests through a meticulous investigation and assertive negotiations for the highest possible settlement amount or court award.
Call an Atlanta personal injury attorney at Piasta Walker Hagenbush, LLC today so we can quickly take action on your behalf in your intersection accident claim.