Irving Accidents in Intersection Lawyer
Over 50% of all car accidents happen in intersections. If you’ve been in an accident in an intersection in Irving, TX, get help today. You may be eligible for compensation for personal injury, as well as damages to your vehicle.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), over 90% of intersection accidents are caused by driver behavior. Side-impact collisions are among the most common types of intersection accidents.
Because the sides of a vehicle offer less protection than the front and rear, side-impact injuries from an intersection accident can be severe. In fact, it’s estimated that 20% of intersection accidents are fatal.
Have you been involved in an intersection accident? Our Irving law office can assist you. Call (469) 998-4069 for a no-cost consultation. Our intersection accident lawyers will determine how much you may be owed. Then, we’ll fight for your rights. If we don’t win your case, you won’t be billed for our legal services.
Causes of Intersection Accidents in Irving, TX
As mentioned above, human error accounts for the vast majority of intersection accidents. This is because intersections are much busier and more complex than normal roads. Whenever two streets converge, it can create confusion that causes accidents.
More specifically, intersection accidents are caused by:
Illegal Driving Maneuvers
When a driver speeds through a red light or ignores a stop sign, the consequences can be deadly. Illegal driving causes many accidents in, or near, insections. Other examples of dangerous illegal driving include speeding, changing lanes without signaling, or making illegal U-turns.
Distracted Driving
In an intersection, it’s very important to pay attention. Drivers need to be aware of stoplights, traffic signs, pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers. If you’re distracted, you can cause a serious accident. Common distractions that cause accidents include the following:
- Texting or using a phone without a hands-free device
- Talking to a passenger
- Unsecured pets
- Eating while driving
- Shaving or applying makeup while driving
- Looking at maps or GPS devices
Driving Under the Influence
In addition to distracted driving, many intersection accidents happen as a result of driving under the influence. Drunk drivers and drivers using drugs have severely impaired judgment. Their reaction time will be lower, they may misjudge distances, and they may fail to see traffic lights or pedestrians.
Driving under the influence also affects an individual’s ability to control their vehicle. They may swerve into another lane in the middle of an intersection, or fail to stop in time for a red light.
It’s worth noting that drivers can also be impaired by illness, exhaustion, or a new prescription drug.
Rain and Other Bad Weather
Rain and other poor weather conditions can also cause accidents in intersections. First, bad weather creates reduced visibility. Drivers may be unable to see other motorists and pedestrians. It can also be harder to accurately judge distances when there’s heavy rain, snow, or fog.
Additionally, bad weather can create hazardous road conditions. On a wet or icy street, drivers may have trouble braking. Many intersections also become flooded more easily than other roads.
Common Intersection Accident Injuries
Intersection accidents vary widely. Sometimes, they’re minor “fender benders” where no one is injured. In other situations, intersection accidents can cause severe injury or even death. Vehicle speed, size, travel direction, and the number of vehicles involved will affect the risk of injury in an intersection accident.
Here are some examples of common injuries resulting from accidents in intersections:
- Organ damage — This includes punctured organs, collapsed lungs, and internal bleeding.
- Broken bones — You may break a leg, arm, ribs, and other bones in an intersection accident.
- Heart attack or stroke — In at-risk adults, the shock from an intersection accident can trigger a heart attack or stroke.
- Neck injury — You may experience whiplash, damaged cervical vertebrae, and other neck injuries.
- Head injury — Intersection accidents can cause concussions, migraines, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
- External injury — You may receive cuts, contusions, or burns from an accident in an intersection.
Intersection accidents can also cause extreme psychological distress. It’s not uncommon to experience PTSD, anxiety, or depression in the aftermath of a car accident in an intersection.
As a result of injuries from an intersection accident, you may be unable to work. You may also require multiple surgeries, physical therapy or rehabilitation, and long-term medical care.
Medical bills from an intersection accident can be very high. If the other driver is liable, you can receive compensation to help cover your expenses. You may also be eligible for compensation for lost wages and general pain and suffering.
Liability in Intersection Accidents
When you’ve been in an accident in an intersection, it may be difficult to determine liability on your own. That’s one way our Irving lawyers can help you. To make sure we’re able to fight on your behalf, always prepare a full account of your car accident.
If it’s safe, take photos and videos of the accident site immediately after your collision. Document any damage to your car, as well as the position of the other driver’s vehicle relative to your own. Be sure to include contextual evidence such as skid marks or damaged railing.
Then, write or record everything you remember about the accident. Be as detailed as you can. How fast were you driving? Was the light yellow or red? Did the other driver use a turn signal? What was the weather and time of day?
This information will help us determine that the other driver is at fault. If possible, collect testimonies from your passengers or other witnesses. You may also wish to draw a diagram of the intersection, highlighting your car’s position when the accident occurred.
Our Irving Lawyers Can Help
When you’ve been in a car accident in an intersection, you may feel powerless. However, help is available. Our Irving lawyers handle intersection cases and other car accident lawsuits every day. We understand what you’re going through.
Contact us today on our website to schedule a 100% free consultation appointment. You can also call our law offices at (469) 998-4069.