Intersection collisions make up approximately 40% of all motor vehicle
accidents. Typically, one vehicle's front bumper will strike the other on
the side in one of three locations:
the front quarter-panel;
the front or rear doors; or
the rear quarter panel.
The side of a car may be the least protected area. There are no bumpers to
absorb the impact forces and generally there is very little occupant
protection in the side area of the car. Unless your vehicle is equipped
with side airbags, the front airbags are essentially useless since they
are not designed to activate when the vehicle is not struck in the front
bumper area. Because the impact occurs in a vulnerable area of the
vehicles, these accidents can inflict serious and fatal injuries on the
motorist involved.
The law in most states requires that the motorist who is confronted with a
stop sign come to a complete stop. Once stopped, the motorist must
appraise traffic and ensure that it is safe to proceed. Only when is safe
to proceed can the motorist enter the intersection. Stopping is only half
of what the law requires. To stop and then pull into oncoming traffic
constitutes negligence and an offending motorists will generally be held
at fault for any resulting accident. The driver on the favored street will
generally have the right of way and motorist entering that roadway must
not enter the roadway until it is safe to do so. The driver that fails to
obey the stop sign (by coming to a complete stop and only proceeding when
it is safe to do so) will be held at fault.
The problem arises in intersection collisions when traffic signals are
involved and it is not clear who had the green light. Typically each
driver will claim to have had the green light. Without independent
eyewitness testimony, it may be very difficult to prove who was at fault.
Experienced attorneys are needed when serious injuries result from these
difficult to prove accidents. Many cities have traffic signal departments
(or similar departments) that may maintain records of traffic sequences
for all traffic lights. By carefully questioning the drivers, an attorney
experienced in these types of accidents can help determine the sequence of
the traffic lights when the accident occurred. Sometimes this information
is enough to tip the scales in your favor.
If you or someone your care for has been injured in an intersection
collision, call 800-437-2571 anytime for a
free no obligation confidential consultation with one of our lawyers
experienced in handling auto accident claims or use our convenient
Free Case Evaluation submission form.
Should you decide to retain our services, we will work on a 100%
contingent fee basis. Simply stated, we get paid for our services only if
we recover monies on your behalf from the insurance company.
Find an auto accident lawyer in your area.
