There is a higher possibility of accidents at intersections due to the fact that multiple roads are coming together to form it. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Association estimates that approximately 40% of all auto accidents occur at intersections with many resulting in injury or even death. With such a high occurrence of accidents taking place at these road junctions it is very important that you understand the rules of the road in order to help you determine fault.
Most intersection auto accidents are the result of drivers making poor decisions. Unfortunately, these accidents can lead to serious auto damage as well as personal injury. Motorists are not the only ones at risk of an accident at an intersection, pedestrians and bicyclists are vulnerable as well and because they do not have the same level of protection that most vehicles have they are at risk of sustaining serious and even fatal injuries. Many of these accidents can be attributed to drivers who do not obey right-of-way laws or traffic control devices such as stop lights and stop signs.
“Motorists must respect the right-of-way of others by not violating traffic laws, such as failing to stop at a stop sign or traffic light, speeding, making unsafe lane changes, or illegal turns. Statistics show that right-of-way violations cause a high percentage of injury collisions in California.”
According to California State Law, right-of-way at intersections includes:
- When two vehicles enter an intersection from different highways at the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on his or her immediate right, except that the driver of any vehicle on a terminating highway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle on the intersecting continuing highway.
- When two vehicles enter an intersection from different highways at the same time and the intersection is controlled from all directions by stop signs, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on his or her immediate right.
For more information on California’s right-of-way traffic laws visit VEHICLE CODE SECTION 21800-21809.
Types of Intersection Accidents
Various types of accidents can take place at intersections whether they are four-way stops, controlled by stop signs or stop lights, or uncontrolled. Intersections can be dangerous due to the high volume of cars, cyclists, and pedestrians passing through them. Some of these accidents include:
U-Turns: It is important that you obey signage at intersections indicating whether or not it is legal to perform a U-Turn. When it is legal, official signs should be posted indicating that you can do so.
Running a stop light or stop sign: Motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians who do not obey stop light and stop signs are often to blame for accidents that take place at intersections. It is important that you do not disregard these signs and signals as failure to obey them can lead to serious and possibly fatal accidents.
Uncontrolled intersections: Uncontrolled intersections are perhaps the most important application of right of way laws where no signs or lights are used to direct traffic. At uncontrolled intersections it is important that you are aware of oncoming traffic, right of way, and safely turning.
In cities with more congested traffic the amount of intersection car accidents can increase which also leads to a larger amount of property and personal injury claims. If you are the victim of an intersection accident, whether you were the driver, passenger, pedestrian, or cyclist, you deserver to be compensated for your losses and injuries. At The Law Office of Gregory W. Fox we have experience in all aspects of auto injury claims and will work diligently to negotiate the best settlement for your accident. Please contact us for a free, no obligation consultation today at (559) 222-5800.