Car Crashes At Intersections

Car crashes can happen almost anywhere. Even if you are in the suburbs or on a remote, country road where there is hardly anyone, you could be involved in an auto accident at any time. Whenever and wherever a crash occurs, the expert Salt Lake City auto accident lawyers at Siegfried & Jensen are here to help. We understand the types of catastrophic injuries that can result from auto accidents. Because of this, our expert legal team fights diligently to help our clients and their loved ones regain the settlements they deserve after being injured by a negligent driver.

Intersections are an extremely common location for a car crash to take place. Even if it is a quiet four-way stop or a busy area that is off a major highway, these types of crashes should always be treated seriously. This article will review some essential facts about accidents that take place at an intersection. 

Statistics Involving Intersection Crashes

Every year, there are an estimated 2.5 million auto accidents that happen at intersections across the United States. According to a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 2,307,000 intersections crashes in the United States in 2008. Overall, these crashes make up about 40 percent of all crashes annually. Unfortunately, crashes that take place at an intersection are likely to cause severe injuries.

With these statistics from the NHTSA in mind, let’s take a look at Utah. In the state, there were 58 deaths at intersection crashes or in accidents related to intersections. These accidents account for 21.2 percent of all car crash deaths that year. There were 78 intersection crash deaths in 2016, which accounted for 27.7 percent of all deadly car crashes that year.
These statistics should help you understand how dangerous these intersection collisions can be and they should be taken seriously by local authorities, as well as injury and wrongful death lawyers. 

If you were a victim of a car crash at an intersection and sustained injuries in the process, it is in your favor to call a Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer who can offer you legal advice and guidance. Siegfried & Jensen can help victims of auto accident injuries file a lawsuit in order to recover lost compensation associated with the collision.

The Risk of T-Bone Accidents

Many types of accidents take place at intersections, but the most dangerous type by far is the t-bone collision. These are sometimes referred to as a broadside collision. These types of crashes take place when the front end of a car strikes the side of another car.
Side impact collisions like T-bone crashes caused 1,770 passenger vehicle fatalities in 2017, according to statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). 

Typical Causes of Intersection Accidents

Some of the most typical causes of crashes at an intersection include:

• Running Red Lights and Stop Signs. Drivers will increase the risk of being involved in a crash with another vehicle whey they run red lights or ignore stop signs. 
• Driver Distraction. Actions such as texting while behind the wheel, rubbernecking, and other types of inattention while driving can increase the chance of a crash taking place. 
• Making Illegal Turns. Not permitting left or right turns is usually a measure to prevent crashes and traffic build-up on the roadways. When you make an illegal turn, it can increase the chances of being involved in an auto accident. 
• Failure to Use Turn Signals. There is a chance of being involved in an accident when people are unaware of your intention to turn left or right when traveling on the road. Be sure to use turn signals whenever turning or merging in order to avoid car crashes. 
• Drunk Driving. When you drive while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, it will ultimately impair your decision-making skills and make you more likely to be injured in an auto accident. 

These are the most common causes of crashes at intersections, but there are almost limitless reasons that an accident can take place. Always be sure to practice safe driving measures on the roadway and avoid making the mistakes listed here. 

Risks for Pedestrians and Bicyclists

When driving in a passenger vehicle at an intersection, the risk of danger is already pretty high. These risks are increased when pedestrians or cyclists are involved. Drivers may not be able to see a pedestrian, even if they are crossing the street via a marked crosswalk. Cyclists are also at risk of being hit from the side or involved in a broadside collision with a larger motor vehicle.

Our team of Salt Lake City personal injury attorneys at Siegfried & Jensen are experienced helping pedestrians and cyclists who have been severely injured at an intersection due to an auto accident. We can help hold the at-fault drivers accountable for their negligent actions.

Intersection Car Accidents in Salt Lake City

It has been discussed how dangerous intersections can be. They account for an overwhelming amount of car crashes in the state of Utah and the United States as a whole. Nearly half of all car crashes take place at intersections. These crashes run the risk of causing severe injuries to those involved and can even result in victims taking on unexpected damages associated with the accident. These could include, but are not limited to, medical expenses, lost income, and ongoing mental anguish. In some cases, victims of these crashes may be eligible to regain lost compensation from the crash by contacting an experienced Salt Lake City car crash injury lawyer and holding the at-fault driver accountable. 

Siegfried & Jensen and our expert legal team are here to protect your legal rights after being injured in a collision at an intersection. We have the experience required to regain the settlement that you deserve in order to cover the full cost of your damages. If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver at an intersection, contact our offices today at 801-845-9000 and discuss your claim with a legal professional.