Intersection accidents are some of the most common motor vehicle accidents today. They occur when two or more vehicles collide at an intersection. Intersections can be dangerous because they require drivers to navigate through a high-risk area where other vehicles cross their paths at high speeds.
These accidents can happen in various ways, including rear-end collisions, T-bone collisions, head-on collisions, and sideswipe collisions. Rear-end collisions occur when one vehicle hits the rear of another vehicle. T-bone collisions occur when one vehicle hits the side of another, forming a “T” shape. Head-on collisions occur when two vehicles hit each other head-on, while sideswipe collisions occur when two vehicles traveling in the same direction collide.
Intersection Accident Frequency & Injuries
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 40% of all car accidents in the United States are intersection-related. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that intersections with traffic signals are the most common location for intersection accidents, accounting for approximately 46% of all intersection-related accidents. Determining who is at fault in an intersection accident can be challenging. But one thing that is not up for debate is the consequences of these accidents.
The consequences of intersection accidents can be severe. Injuries sustained in these accidents can range from minor cuts and bruises to serious head and spinal injuries, paralysis, or even death. Victims of intersection accidents may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Those in intersection accidents may be unable to return to work, leading to significant financial and emotional burdens.
Leading Causes of Intersection Accidents
Being in an accident at an intersection is an alarming experience. What causes an intersection collision to occur? While there are numerous factors involved, below are several of the leading causes of intersection accidents:
- Distracted driving: Drivers distracted by their phones, GPS devices, or other electronic devices may fail to notice traffic signals, other vehicles, or pedestrians in the intersection. This can result in a collision with another vehicle or a pedestrian.
- Failure to yield the right of way: Drivers who fail to yield the right of way can cause a T-bone collision or other type of accident. This can occur when a driver runs a red light or stop sign or when they make a left turn in front of oncoming traffic.
- Speeding: Drivers traveling at high speed have less time to react to changing road conditions, such as traffic signals, other vehicles, or pedestrians. This can increase the risk of a collision, particularly in congested intersections where traffic may be moving slowly or backing up.
- Driving under the influence: Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol may have impaired judgment, reflexes, and vision, which can increase the risk of an intersection accident.
- Reckless driving: Drivers who engage in aggressive driving behaviors, such as tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, or making sudden lane changes, can put themselves and others at risk of a collision at an intersection.
- Poor weather conditions: Adverse weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, or fog, can decrease visibility and make it difficult for drivers to see traffic signals or other vehicles in the intersection.
- Mechanical failure: If a vehicle’s brakes, steering, or other critical components fail, it can be difficult for the driver to control the vehicle, especially in congested intersections.
Intersection accidents can be caused by various factors, including distracted driving, failure to yield the right of way, speeding, driving under the influence, reckless driving, poor weather conditions, and mechanical failure. To reduce the risk of an intersection accident, practicing safe driving habits, including following traffic signals, staying focused on the road, and maintaining a safe speed and following distance, is essential.
What to do After Being in an Intersection Accident
If you or a loved one has been involved in an intersection accident, taking immediate action to protect your rights and seek compensation for any damages is essential. What steps should you take after being in an intersection accident? Below are some steps you should take if you find yourself the victim of an intersection accident:
- Seek Medical Attention: Health and well-being should be your top priority after an accident. Even if you don’t feel that bad, even minor symptoms should be checked out by a medical professional to rule out something serious. Some complications from injuries, such as whiplash or traumatic brain injuries, may not be immediately apparent but can have serious long-term consequences.
- Contact the Police: It’s essential to report the accident to the police, as they can document the scene, take statements from witnesses, and create an accident report. The accident report can include important information for your claim for compensation.
- Document the Accident: Take pictures of the accident scene, including any vehicle damage and injuries sustained by you or the others involved. Gather contact information from any witnesses and the other driver involved. If possible, note the weather and road conditions at the time of the accident.
- Contact an Attorney: Intersection accidents can be complex, and it’s crucial to have an experienced attorney to help you navigate the legal process, negotiate with insurance companies, and pursue compensation for your damages. An attorney can help you understand your rights, gather evidence, and represent your interests in court if necessary.
In addition to these steps, it’s important to remember that you have a limited amount of time to file a claim for compensation after an intersection accident. The specific time limit, or statute of limitations, can vary by state and type of claim you’re filing. In some cases, the statute of limitations may be as short as one year. You may lose your right to seek compensation if you miss the deadline.
Intersection accidents can have serious consequences for those involved, and taking immediate action is essential. If you have suffered injuries in an intersection accident due to another driver’s negligence, do not hesitate to contact the car accident attorneys at Berman & Simmons for a free consultation. For more than 100 years, we have been the trusted Maine law firm for people who have been seriously injured due to the negligence of others.
If you’ve been injured in an intersection accident, we’ll be there for you.
When we get behind the wheel, we are all at the mercy of drivers who put themselves and others at unnecessary risk of injury or death through such reckless and negligent conduct as:
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Distracted driving
- Driving tired
- Disobeying traffic rules
- Failing to drive safely in dangerous weather conditions
When such misconduct upends lives and devastates families, the Maine car accident lawyers at Berman & Simmons stand ready to provide critical support and resources to injury victims. With unmatched legal skills and personal dedication, our lawyers fight to obtain the compensation that can help our clients recover just as we have done for countless New Englanders for over a century.
Committed to our clients, committed to being the best.
At Berman & Simmons, we are deeply committed to our clients’ well-being; that is why we are so relentless in our efforts to get them needed care and deserved compensation. We are also committed to leveraging our well-earned reputation for exceptional trial advocacy on behalf of injury victims.
For us, it is not enough to be the best personal injury trial firm in Maine. With our unique resources and talent, we strive to be among the best in the Country.
With unmatched resources and attorneys who bring decades of experience to car accident cases, we have a lengthy track record of success. We have obtained over $1.35 billion in compensation for injury victims and their families.
We recognize that car accident victims need help long before getting to the courtroom or the negotiating table. That is why we’ll take the time to listen to your story and understand your concerns, helping you navigate the unfamiliar and difficult challenges that come after a serious car crash. We want you to focus on your recovery while we focus on holding those responsible for your injuries accountable for their actions. This will include standing up to insurance companies that are all too often determined to deny claims and avoid accepting responsibility for the negligence of their drivers.
A Law Firm That Listens
Berman & Simmons is widely recognized as the best personal injury lawyers in Maine and among the best in the U.S., having won many of the largest jury verdicts and settlements ever obtained for injured people in Maine.
Our attorneys and staff members will take the time to listen to you, work to understand your concerns, and come up with solutions that can make your life better, including obtaining payment for or deferral of your debts until your case is resolved. We help you recover and make sure you receive full compensation for your injuries and loss.
Don’t wait, call us today: (207)784-3576
Don't wait to hire a personal injury lawyer:
The other insurance company is likely already building their client’s case against you.
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Witnesses may become unavailable and evidence may be lost or degraded with time.
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You’ll need help navigating your medical care and dealing with financial pressures.
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Maine has strict deadlines for filing many personal injury claims
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You need peace of mind to focus on your recovery.
$8.5 Million
Paralysis due to mismanagement of
degenerative spine
$2.5 Million
Catastrophic injuries in a head-on car accident
$800,000
Wrongful death case involving negligent
motorist
$715,000
Plaintiff Rear Ended by
Telephone Truck
$5 Million
Delay in diagnosis and treatment of cancer
$1.2 Million
Significant Head Injury Car Accident
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For your first meeting with us, simply tell us your story and explain in your own words what happened and how your life has been affected. If you’re meeting with us in person, you can bring notes about what happened to you, driver insurance information, names of any witnesses, photos of the accident damages or injuries, medical records, and other related paperwork if you have it and if it’s applicable, but that information isn’t necessary. Really all you need to do is be yourself, speak with us honestly, and be willing to tackle your problems with us.
Initial conversations between potential clients and our staff members are often done over the phone. Rest assured that everything we discuss is confidential and protected under law.
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How much will a lawyer cost me?
The lawyers at Berman & Simmons work on a contingency basis. That means you pay nothing up front and nothing unless we settle or win your case. We will consult with you, evaluate your situation, and do initial research free of charge. This is true even if we decide you don’t have a valid claim. We will also cover all necessary case expenses and you will not be obligated to reimburse us until and unless we recover monies on your behalf. if we do take your case and win a settlement or a jury verdict in your favor, a percentage of the compensation goes to pay for our costs and the work done by our legal team.
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How will I know if I have a case?
To pursue a case, we will need to prove that you suffered a substantial personal injury and the injury was directly caused by the negligence of another party. A bad result alone is not enough to establish negligence. We let you know upfront if we are able to move forward with the legal process, or if we don’t think you have a case. Generally, we will know if you have a case after our first phone call or meeting.
If we believe you have a valid claim and decide to move forward with litigation, our attorneys and staff will then take it from there and do everything else that needs to be done, including obtaining and reviewing records relevant to your case, such as accident reports and other law enforcement documents, employer records, medical records, and other information.
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How long will it take to resolve my case?
Every case is different, and there is no way to predict how long it will take for your case to be resolved. Some cases end in a matter of months, while the most complex and challenging cases, such as a medical malpractice case, can span several years. The vast majority of cases, however, are resolved before a trial and usually within a year.
The goal is to make sure you receive fair compensation for your injuries, no matter how long it takes whether that comes in the form of a pre-trial settlement, or with a jury verdict in your favor.
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How much is my case worth?
There are many factors that need to be considered when determining the value of your case. Every case is unique and it takes a team effort — including your attorney, staff researchers, and outside experts — to determine the extent of your damages and how much your case is worth. There are two types of damages for which you could receive
compensation: Economic and non-economic.If your case goes to trial and a jury agrees you deserve compensation, the jury members will decide how much the money you should receive for each category of damages.