Car accidents can happen almost anywhere, but intersections are among the most complicated and potentially dangerous places on the road. Drivers turning left, vehicles running red lights, pedestrians entering crosswalks, cyclists traveling through traffic, and cars approaching from several directions can create multiple opportunities for a collision.
If you have been injured in an intersection crash, speaking with an auto accident lawyer may help you understand your legal options and determine whether you may be entitled to compensation.
At BadIntersections.com, drivers can report and explore dangerous intersections across the United States. Understanding where crashes occur—and why certain intersections may be more dangerous than others—can help motorists become more aware of the risks they face on the road.
This guide explains what to do after an intersection accident, when you may want to contact an auto accident lawyer, and what information could become important if you decide to pursue an insurance claim or personal injury case.
Why Do So Many Auto Accidents Happen at Intersections?
Intersections bring several traffic movements together in a relatively small area. Even when traffic signals, stop signs, turn lanes, and crosswalks are present, one mistake can result in a collision.
Some intersection crashes involve relatively minor property damage. Others can result in serious injuries or fatalities, particularly when vehicles collide at high speeds or a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorcyclist is involved.
Common causes of intersection accidents include:
Running a red light or stop sign
Failing to yield the right-of-way
Distracted driving
Speeding
Unsafe left turns
Improper lane changes
Driving under the influence
Poor visibility
Confusing road design
Malfunctioning or obscured traffic signals
Failure to yield to pedestrians or cyclists
Determining exactly what happened can become especially important when the drivers involved disagree about who had the right-of-way. An auto accident lawyer may review evidence from the collision to help determine which parties could potentially be responsible.
What Should You Do After an Intersection Accident?
The moments immediately following a collision can be confusing. Your first priority should be safety.
If anyone appears injured, call 911 and request emergency medical assistance. If it is safe and appropriate to do so, move away from active traffic and follow instructions from emergency personnel.
You should also consider documenting the accident scene. Depending on your condition and the circumstances, useful information may include photographs or video of:
Vehicle damage
The position of the vehicles
Traffic lights and stop signs
Lane markings
Skid marks or debris
Road conditions
Nearby construction
Obstructed signs or visibility problems
The surrounding intersection
Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver and obtain contact information from witnesses when possible.
Avoid arguing about who caused the crash. Statements made immediately following an accident could potentially become relevant later.
When Should You Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer?
Not every minor car accident requires an attorney. However, there are circumstances in which consulting an auto accident lawyer may be worth considering.
For example, you may want legal advice when an accident involves significant injuries, substantial medical expenses, lost income, disputed liability, multiple vehicles, an uninsured or underinsured driver, or disagreement with an insurance company over the value of a claim.
Legal issues can also become more complicated when a crash potentially involves a government entity, commercial vehicle, rideshare driver, defective vehicle component, or dangerous roadway condition.
An attorney can review the circumstances and explain the laws that may apply in the state where the accident occurred.
What Does an Auto Accident Lawyer Do?
An auto accident lawyer generally represents people who have been injured in vehicle collisions and helps them navigate insurance claims and, when appropriate, personal injury litigation.
The exact services depend on the circumstances of the case, but an attorney may:
Investigate how the collision occurred
Obtain police or accident reports
Interview witnesses
Review photographs and video
Examine medical records
Communicate with insurance companies
Identify potentially responsible parties
Calculate potential damages
Negotiate a settlement
File a lawsuit when appropriate
Intersection accidents can present unique investigative issues because several vehicles, traffic signals, businesses, pedestrians, and cameras may be located near the crash.
Traffic Cameras and Video Evidence After an Accident
Video can sometimes provide important evidence about what occurred immediately before a collision.
Depending on the intersection, footage might exist from traffic monitoring cameras, red-light cameras, nearby businesses, residential security cameras, dashcams, or other vehicles.
However, the existence and availability of footage varies considerably by location. Some systems may not record continuously, while others may retain footage for only a limited period.
For this reason, people involved in serious accidents may want to investigate potential video evidence quickly.
An auto accident lawyer may be able to identify possible sources of footage and determine what procedures are available for requesting or preserving it.
How Is Fault Determined in an Intersection Accident?
Determining fault is not always as simple as identifying which vehicle struck the other.
Investigators may consider traffic laws, witness statements, vehicle damage, photographs, video footage, roadway evidence, electronic data, and other available information.
Consider a typical left-turn collision.
One driver may claim that the turning vehicle failed to yield. The turning driver may argue that the approaching vehicle entered the intersection after the light changed or was traveling at an unsafe speed.
Evidence from the scene can therefore become extremely important.
Fault rules also differ among states. Some jurisdictions allow an injured person to recover damages even when that person shares some responsibility for the collision, while other states impose different restrictions.
A local auto accident attorney can explain how the applicable state laws may affect a particular claim.
What Compensation May Be Available After an Auto Accident?
Compensation depends on the facts of the accident, applicable law, available insurance coverage, and the injuries and losses involved.
Depending on the case, recoverable damages may potentially include medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, property damage, rehabilitation expenses, and certain non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.
Serious accidents involving permanent injuries can be considerably more complicated because estimating future financial and medical needs may require additional evidence or expert analysis.
There is no universal settlement amount for an intersection accident. Be cautious about websites or advertisements promising a particular financial result without knowing the facts of a case.
What If Poor Intersection Design Contributed to the Accident?
Drivers are responsible for following traffic laws, but sometimes the physical characteristics of an intersection may also be relevant to understanding why a collision occurred.
Potential concerns can include poor visibility, faded lane markings, confusing signage, inadequate lighting, obstructed traffic signs, unusual lane configurations, malfunctioning signals, or other roadway conditions.
Claims involving roadway design or maintenance can be particularly complicated, especially when a city, county, state transportation agency, or another government entity is potentially involved.
Special notice requirements and shorter deadlines may apply to certain claims against government agencies.
An auto accident lawyer familiar with the jurisdiction can determine whether roadway conditions are legally relevant and what deadlines may apply.
How BadIntersections.com Can Help Drivers Identify Potential Hazards
BadIntersections.com is designed to help motorists discover and report intersections that may deserve additional attention.
Drivers can use community-generated information to learn about locations where people have experienced crashes, near misses, confusing traffic patterns, visibility problems, or other safety concerns.
A report on BadIntersections.com does not establish that an intersection is legally defective or that a particular party was responsible for an accident. Instead, the information can provide additional awareness about locations that drivers believe present safety concerns.
Community reporting can also help identify patterns. When multiple drivers independently report similar problems at the same location, those reports may highlight an issue worth investigating further.
Questions to Ask an Auto Accident Lawyer
Choosing an attorney is an important decision, and accident victims do not necessarily need to hire the first lawyer they contact.
Questions you may want to ask during an initial consultation include:
How much of your practice involves auto accident cases?
Have you handled intersection collision cases?
Who will actually manage my case?
How are attorney fees calculated?
Are there additional case expenses?
How will you communicate updates?
What evidence should I preserve?
What deadlines apply to my claim?
Have you handled cases involving traffic-camera or surveillance footage?
Many personal injury attorneys offer initial consultations, but consumers should confirm fees and terms directly with the attorney before agreeing to representation.
How Long Do You Have to File an Auto Accident Claim?
Every state has deadlines that can limit how long a person has to bring certain legal claims. These deadlines are commonly referred to as statutes of limitations.
The applicable deadline can depend on numerous factors, including the state, type of claim, parties involved, and age or circumstances of the injured person.
Claims involving government agencies may have separate—and sometimes much shorter—notice requirements.
Because these rules vary, do not assume that a deadline you find online applies to your particular accident. A qualified attorney in the appropriate jurisdiction can provide guidance about the deadlines that apply to a specific case.
Finding an Auto Accident Lawyer Near You
If you decide to seek legal advice, look for an attorney licensed in the state where your accident occurred and experienced with motor vehicle accident cases.
You can compare attorneys based on relevant experience, fee arrangements, communication practices, professional background, and your comfort level after speaking with them.
Searching for an auto accident lawyer near me may produce dozens of results, but location alone should not determine whom you hire. Consider whether the lawyer regularly handles cases similar to yours and understands the local courts, insurance practices, and traffic laws.
Help Make Dangerous Intersections Safer
Many intersection accidents happen in seconds, but their consequences can last for months or years.
Knowing where potentially dangerous intersections are located can encourage drivers to approach those areas more cautiously. Reporting recurring problems may also help other motorists recognize hazards they otherwise would not anticipate.
If you know of an intersection with frequent crashes, red-light running, poor visibility, confusing signals, unsafe turns, or another potential hazard, consider reporting it to BadIntersections.com.
And if you have been injured in a collision, an auto accident lawyer can explain your rights, evaluate the circumstances surrounding the crash, and help you determine what options may be available.
Legal Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and deadlines vary by jurisdiction and individual circumstances. Consult a qualified attorney licensed in the appropriate jurisdiction for advice regarding a specific accident or legal matter.
