Northern California Intersection Accident Attorneys
As experienced Northern California car accident attorneys, the lawyers at Estey Bomberger have handled a very large number of personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from auto accidents that occur at intersections. Traffic intersections are widely considered one of the most dangerous locations on the road, and are the site for about one-third of all car accidents. With more than 70 years of combined experience in personal injury law, our attorneys have represented victims seriously injured in all types of intersection accidents, including car vs. car intersection accidents, car vs. pedestrian intersection accidents, car vs. motorcycle intersection accidents, and car vs. truck intersection accidents.
Causes of Intersection Accidents
The majority of accidents that occur at intersections can be attributed to driver error or negligence, including quickly cutting across traffic lanes to make a turn, changing lanes in the middle of an intersection, illegal U-turns, speeding, failing to yield to pedestrians, distraction due to cell phone, GPS device, or radio, running red lights, drinking and driving, and other inattention or impatience.
Dangerous Road Conditions at Intersections
Sometimes, even the most careful and attentive drivers are involved in very serious accidents due to the way an intersection was designed, or the lack of maintenance of an intersection. Missing signs, defective traffic signals, and obstructed views are all examples of dangerous conditions at an intersection that could cause an accident. For the safety of everyone, traffic intersections must be designed to meet strict guidelines in terms of travel destinations, the needs of pedestrians and cyclists, flow of traffic, and capacity.
In designing an intersection, engineers must take into consideration dozens of factors, including road direction, traffic operating speed in the area, the number of cars, bicycles, and pedestrians that access the intersection in any given day, the longest possible walk time for a pedestrian to cross a road, and the largest type of vehicle that will normally access the intersection. Intersections usually have three or four "legs," but some complex intersections may have five or even six legs. Engineers also need to look at possible hazards such as sun glare at sunrise or sunset and other blind spots that could put motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists at risk.
If it is determined that a dangerous road condition causes or contributes to an accident causing injury or death to a pedestrian, cyclist, or occupant of a motor vehicle, the municipal, county or state agency responsible for designing and maintaining that intersection may be liable.
Intersection Accidents Involving Pedestrians
At an intersection, pedestrians are at risk of drivers who fail to yield, most often because they are only looking for other vehicles when they are turning, and not anticipating the possible presence of foot traffic in a crosswalk. However, not seeing a pedestrian when one reasonably should have is not an excuse. Young children are common victims because they are harder for motorists to see, and they sometimes run ahead of parents to cross an intersection. Elderly adults are also common victims of intersection pedestrian accidents in Northern California, because they often take much longer to cross the road, and motorists may not see them slowly making their way across a crosswalk.
Serious Injuries at Intersections
Accidents at traffic intersections frequently result in very serious injury or even death not just for pedestrians, but for occupants of motor vehicles as well. One of the most common type of intersection accident is a side-impact, side-swipe, or t-bone collision. If a vehicle is not equipped with a side-impact airbag and the side of the vehicle is pushed in, an occupant may suffer catastrophic or even fatal injury. Side-impact type collisions can easily cause a vehicle to overturn, especially in accidents involving sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks. Serious injuries that may be sustained as the result of an intersection accident include broken bones, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and burn injuries.
Maximum Compensation For Accident Victims
If you are a victim of an accident at an intersection, it is important that you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries, including all medical expenses, lost earnings or wages, and pain and suffering. Before you accept a settlement offer from an insurance company, protect your best interests by talking to a Northern California intersection accident attorney and getting an honest opinion of the merits of your case. Every accident is different, with unique factors and circumstances that can greatly influence the outcome and worth of your case. If you would like to know your legal rights following a Northern California intersection accident, contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We charge absolutely no fees unless we win your case.