If you were involved in a car accident at an intersection you may be in pain both physically and emotionally. Auto accidents have the potential to result in serious damage and injury so it is important to be educated about the causes and types. Read on to discover the most common intersection accident type and reach out to a New York car accident lawyer for skilled legal representation.
What Are the Common Causes of Intersection Accidents?
Intersections are common areas for auto accidents to occur. When you approach an intersection you are met with an influx of information and choices to make. It can be overwhelming and stressful, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the area. This combined with the following common causes can result in an accident.
- Failing to stop at a red light
- Attempting to run a yellow light
- Not yielding the right of way to other drivers, pedestrians, or bikes
- Tailgating
- Illegal left or U-turns
- Turning from the wrong lane
- Distracted driving
- Obstructed view of the road
- Aggressive driving
What is the Most Prevalent Type of Accident at an Intersection?
You can be involved in a multitude of types of accidents depending on the details of your situation. Consider the following most common types of accidents that occur in an intersection.
- Side-impact: One of the most prevalent types of accidents at an intersection is a t-bone or side collision. They most often occur due to a driver disobeying the rules of the road. For example, if one car has a green light they will drive through the intersection. When a driver on the perpendicular road decides to run their red light they could end up hitting the first car from the side.
- Rear-end: Rear-end accidents are one of the most common types of crashes in general, including in an intersection. A car may hit the back of another car due to speeding, tailgating, entering the intersection on a yellow light, distracted driving, and more.
- Head-on: Nose-to-nose collisions have the capacity to cause serious injuries and fatalities. These accidents often occur at an intersection when one or more drivers attempt to make an illegal turn or drive recklessly through the crossing.
- Pedestrian: While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind, pedestrian accidents are common in intersections. Intersections generally have crosswalks and walking lights for people trying to cross the road. If the pedestrian jaywalks or crosses when they do not have the light it could result in a collision. Additionally, drivers making reckless turns or neglecting to yield the right of way can also cause an accident.
All of these accidents can be extremely damaging. Being involved in an intersection collision could result in damage to your car, bodily injury, death, and more.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Today
Any type of intersection accident can cause serious damage. After an accident, you may be able to seek compensation for your property damage, medical expenses, loss of income, and more. Reach out to an experienced accident attorney today to discover your rights and legal options during your accident claim.