PRACTICE AREA

Intersection Collisions in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Collision Car Accident Law Firm

A car collision is more likely to occur at an intersection than at any other location. More than half of all fatal and injury collisions occur at or near junctions. Junction safety and design research conducted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) helps implement short-term safety enhancements. It proposes and assesses long-term, higher-payoff solutions to improve intersection safety.

HOW ARE COMMON INTERSECTION-RELATED INJURIES?

Disobeying a traffic signal and failing to give the right of way are the most prevalent causes of junction automobile accidents. Junction automobile accidents are often caused by running a red light, attempting to go through the intersection on a yellow light, or simply misjudging the traffic light.

Speeding is harmful regardless of the situation. However, speeding at a crowded crossroads might result in severe accidents if the motorist fails to slow down.

Illegal U-turns, turning without looking for oncoming traffic, and failing to yield to pedestrians and bicycles are just a few of the many traffic regulations drivers who break them may get into significant trouble.

DRIVING WHEN IMPATIENT

Drivers will speed up when a traffic light turns yellow, so they don’t have to wait for another green light.

They will be unable to pay attention to what is happening around them if they are distracted by texting, chatting, grabbing for something, or any other kind of distracting activity.

No need to reiterate how hazardous and often deadly drunk driving is.

When a driver is tired, he or she may not be able to respond quickly enough to avoid another car that runs a red light. This is virtually like distracted driving.

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WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON KIND OF CRASH, ACCOUNTING FOR 40% OF ALL CRASHES?

There are a lot of accidents involving left turns. Approximately 40% of incidents in the United States occur at junctions, making it the second most common kind of accident, behind rear-end collisions. It is estimated that 20% of fatal accidents occur at junctions.

INTERSECTION CRASH STATISTICS IN COLORADO

There were 317,955 accidents at intersections in Colorado in 2018. A total of 95,979 people were injured or lost their lives. Intersection collisions cause 30 percent of all injury deaths in the United States.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF COLLISIONS OCCURRING AT INTERSECTIONS

While practically every style of accident may happen at an intersection, certain collision types are more common than others.

T-BONE COLLISION

This happens when the front of one automobile strikes the side of another. The occupants on the impact side are more vulnerable in side-impact collisions like this. Side-impact airbags have been standard on most new automobiles in recent years.

A rear-end collision occurs when a vehicle abruptly slams on its brakes or slows down before or at an intersection, and the vehicle behind it hits it from behind. Whiplash is a common ailment as a result of this. One of the most prevalent forms of the car accident is a rear-end collision.

Two automobiles may collide in various ways, and angle collisions serve as a catch-all term for those collisions that aren’t head-on, rear-end, or T-bone-type incidents.

Intersection head-on collisions are uncommon but not unheard of. In most cases, this is caused by a driver who fails to keep their lane clear and breaches the right of way. Because of the high rates of speed, they are especially risky modes of transportation.

WHO HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY IN THIS SITUATION?

In Colorado, who is entitled to the right of way? How do you know? There’s no one! All the law states about right-of-way are who must surrender (give up). All drivers, motorcyclists, moped riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians must do their best to prevent a collision.

INDICATORS OF IMMINENCE

At stop signs, you must yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians. Only proceed if the way is free. The first car to halt at a four-way stop shall go first. The driver on the left concedes to the driver on the right if two cars arrive at the junction simultaneously.

UNRESTRICTED CROSSROADS

There are no traffic control signs or signals at an open crossroads. If a vehicle is already at the junction when you enter one, you must give the right of way.

Using a subsidiary route, you may enter or cross a major highway.

Unpaved roads lead you to paved roads.

A car comes from the other way as you want to turn left.

The driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right when two vehicles reach an open junction simultaneously.

ROUNDABOUTS

New intersections, such as roundabouts, are designed to enhance traffic flow and prevent collisions.

Vehicles may maintain the same low speed as they go through junctions since most roundabouts do not require them to stop. A counterclockwise flow of traffic is the goal of roundabouts. Approaching vehicles should yield to circular traffic, but roundabout drivers must respect all signs to establish the proper right of way.

INTERSECTIONS WITH SEVERAL LANES OF TRAVEL

One or two-lane roads may cross a much bigger highway or road. Drivers on the smaller road must yield to those on the bigger road in this situation. All drivers should be aware that larger roads frequently have higher speed restrictions than smaller routes.

ROADWAY EXIT/ENTRY RAMPS

Even if there are just a few lanes or a lot of traffic, exit ramps may be difficult to enter and depart. Vehicles on an exit ramp must yield to those on the approach ramp. Leaving an interstate may necessitate the creation of a separate lane of traffic. In this situation, drivers on the access ramp must still yield. On the other hand, a vehicle entering a highway must yield to all traffic behind it.

WHEN THE SITUATION CALLS FOR IT, YIELD TO OTHER DRIVERS.

You must yield to oncoming traffic at “T” intersections, where you must yield to vehicles on the through road, and when turning left, where you must yield to pedestrians, cars, and the like. You must yield to people using a seeing-eye guide dog. You must yield to people using a white cane. You must yield to people using a white cane.

Pedestrian Safety Regulations

  • Before stepping off any curb, make sure you look both left and right.
  • Only cross at crosswalks or junctions. When approaching junctions, drivers are more aware of pedestrians.
  • Use the green light or “WALK” signal to cross the street. Take your time while crossing the street. However, even if the driver is required to yield, he or she may not notice you until too late.
  • When crossing a highway, walk on the left-hand shoulder, with your back to oncoming vehicles. Wear bright clothes or a flashlight at night to make yourself more apparent to vehicles.
  • Don’t exceed the speed limit if you’re driving across a crosswalk. Drivers that violate the posted speed limit lose the right of way.

TAKE A LOOK AT JOE ZARZAUR’S YOUTUBE CLIP HERE.

Wrongful Death and Serious Personal Injury are among the practice areas of Warrior Car Accident Lawyers. We also handle cases involving Slip and Fall Injuries, Boat and Jet Ski Accidents, Wrongful Death in the Workplace, and more. Licensed to practice in Alabama and Colorado.

You shouldn’t rush into anything if you’ve been injured in an accident. Take the necessary steps to ensure that you are treated fairly. Additionally, you should seek the assistance of a Trial lawyer who is well-versed in your particular situation.

If you’ve been injured, we want to make filing a claim as simple as possible. Inquire about a free consultation by contacting Warrior Car Accident Lawyers at 719-300-1100 or by filling out the form on our website.

IN A CAR CRASH AT AN INTERSECTION, WHO IS TO BLAME?

In the year 2021,

There are many distinct sorts of crossings, and each has its own set of rules governing who has the right of way to cross the intersection. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, crossroads are the scene of 40% of all US automobile accidents (NHTSA). According to the same data, a junction is the scene of around half of all fatal automobile accidents.

When an automobile accident occurs at a particular junction, determining who is responsible depends on who had the legal right of way and the specific circumstances that led to the incident.

ACCIDENTS AT INTERSECTIONS WITH TRAFFIC LIGHTS

If we were all to arrive at the stop sign at the same moment, Tim said, “I would have the right of way since I was the first to get there. Because he didn’t care, the person to my left didn’t see me. He attempted to outrun me as I rolled forward, but he slammed into the side of my vehicle.”

When Tim suffered back and neck injuries in an intersection collision, but the at-fault motorist walked away uninjured, he refused to bear the blame. It seemed unavoidable that Tim would have to go to court since both the guilty driver and Tim blamed each other.

For a workplace accident, my sister used the services of Warrior Car Accident Lawyers and had nothing but positive things to say.” So, I decided to give them a whirl. In less than 12 months, there was enough evidence to get us a substantial payment. As soon as we met, I felt I could put my faith in their knowledge and experience. They’re the genuine thing at Warrior Car Accident Lawyers.”

I can attest to the integrity of this account. For privacy, we have renamed and replaced our client’s name and image.

When a traffic signal becomes red, all vehicles must come to a full stop. According to the law, failing to stop at a red light constitutes carelessness, and all drivers are obliged to take reasonable care when driving.

When someone runs a red light, accidents happen at these traffic signals (or if there is a mechanical breakdown with the light, in which case drivers are still expected to understand intersection protocol).

When two drivers on opposing sides of a four-way crossroads intend to merge into the same lane, it might be difficult to determine who has the right of way. Except for a green arrow signal, left turns should yield to right turns and cross-traffic.

It is possible to be held accountable for breaching traffic regulations and causing an accident if a motorist makes a right turn on red against a car that is going left on green. But if a motorist is already at the junction or cannot stop in time, the left-turning driver must give up the right of way.

ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY A FLASHING TRAFFIC LIGHT

When traffic lights flash red or yellow, it’s easy to become lost in the chaos. There are several intersections; one traffic lane is flashing red, while the other is flashing yellow. In the absence of a traffic signal, both flashing red and yellow lights imply the same thing: care is advised, and drivers should continue under their knowledge of the laws of the road.

This disparity may cause car accidents resulting in bodily injury or wrongful death. If a driver causes a collision in New York by running a red or yellow light without yielding to a vehicle with the right of way, the courts are likely to declare that driver culpable.

IN TRAFFIC LIGHT COLLISIONS, WHO IS TO BLAME?

There must be proof that the at-fault motorist’s insurance will pay up if the other driver is shown to have been at fault. When one car fails to maintain a safe distance or causes an accident by rushing through a red light, it is easier to determine who is at blame.

At junctions, rear-end crashes are the most prevalent type of accident. It’s common at intersections for one or more drivers to attempt to go through a stop sign ahead of them without recognizing that the vehicle in front of them has already opted to stop. It is the responsibility of all drivers to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of them to avoid a collision if the vehicle in front suddenly stops.

Both drivers often state to the police that they had the green light in most cases. It’s a widespread misunderstanding that a plaintiff must show the opposing party’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in this instance.

It is only required to establish that the opposing party was at least 51 percent guilty of triggering the red light accident to get compensation in court. Accident lawyers who have handled these kinds of cases may help, as can other legal professionals who specialize in personal injury law.

To name a few such legal methods, an attorney may utilize

  • Using traffic camera footage to identify the at-fault motorist. As quickly as possible, you should request any recorded footage from a traffic camera with a memory capacity of 20-30 days.
  • When required, conduct a thorough examination of the accident’s site and create an accident reconstruction model. To ascertain who is telling the truth, experts may assess the position of the accident in the junction, the location of the damage to the cars; the degree of the damage; and the skid marks.
  • Without video or witnesses, background checks and credibility are used. Both drivers are subjected to criminal and civil background checks as part of a successful cross-examination.

ACCIDENTS AT STOP SIGNS AT INTERSECTIONS

In contrast to traffic signals, stop signs only indicate one direction of travel, leaving cars perplexed as to which way to go. At a stop sign-controlled four-way junction, cars must yield to pedestrians crossing the street first. Passengers making a left turn must yield to those driving straight or turning right. If you’re making a right turn, you must yield to any oncoming vehicles.

Even if there is no signage or traffic signal, the motorist making a left turn shall yield to the vehicle making a right turn when two automobiles approach a junction simultaneously. Before proceeding through the stop sign, motorists making a left turn must wait for right turns or straight-line traffic to pass first. One of the reasons for stopping at a stop sign is to look at the road ahead.

You’re being reckless and negligent if you don’t stop at a stop sign. When this happens, it’s common for both sides to claim the other was the one who ran the stop sign, which often leads to personal injury lawsuits. Getting a copy of the police report is critical, so you know exactly who the officer on the scene blamed for the accident.

A solid case proving the other driver’s negligence may be built using further testimony from witnesses and images of the incident. As guilt and establishing that the other driver failed to obey a stop sign are essential concerns, you should choose an attorney with experience in these situations.

ACCIDENTS IN THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AT INTERSECTIONS THAT AREN’T WATCHED

There is no traffic signal, stop sign, or other traffic control device at an uncontrolled junction. Rural and residential neighborhoods often include intersections like this one. Uncontrolled intersections do not force drivers to come to a full stop, so slowing down and keeping an eye out for oncoming traffic is critical.

When approaching the junction from the right, cars are not automatically given the right of way and are still responsible for reducing their speed before entering the intersection.

When there are no stop signs, the first car to arrive at the junction has the right of way. The driver of the vehicle on the left must yield way to the driver of the vehicle on the right if they are both approaching a junction at the same time. It doesn’t matter whether a motorist is the first vehicle to approach the junction while making a left turn; they must yield to all incoming vehicles.

A police complaint should be produced, witnesses should be collected and questioned, and cameras and video should be investigated like other intersection anomalies.

T-JUNCTION THAT ISN’T UNDER CONTROL RESPECT FOR THE LAW OF THE ROAD

Drivers on the terminating road must surrender the right of way to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians using a crosswalk at a T-intersection that is not regulated by a traffic signal or signage. Driving from a driveway or private road is subject to this right of way process.

Cars going left at an uncontrolled four-way junction must yield to vehicles turning right. This rule does not apply at T-intersections because the car turning onto the main road must yield to both left and right traffic.

DETERMINING WHO IS AT FAULT FOR INTERSECTION ACCIDENTS: THE IMPORTANCE OF INJURY

Regardless of the circumstances, the investigation process for finding who was responsible for an intersection incident is the same. Ultimately, those who neglected the right of way or were negligent and dangerous in their driving are responsible for the accident.

In many cases, drivers judged to blame did so because they were either ignorant of or deliberately disobeyed the required right-of-way legislation.

Distracted driving or using a smartphone while driving

  • Not signaling with blinkers
  • Speeding through intersections, making it hard to safely stop when required
  • Not signaling with blinkers
  • Distracted driving/using a telephone while driving
  • Misinterpreting traffic signals.

TBIs, spinal injuries, shattered bones, organ damage, internal bleeding, and death may occur from intersection collisions. After an automobile collision at an intersection, it’s critical to seek immediate medical attention and to save copies of any medical documents relating to any injuries that may have been sustained.

Adrenaline and shock may delay the appearance of certain injuries. Victims should also seek legal counsel as soon as possible to expedite the legal process.

Suppose a victim’s injury is serious enough to warrant a large settlement amount. In that case, a car accident lawyer is more likely to establish that the victim was not to blame for the accident.

The Role of Warrior Car Accident Lawyers

Using roadside traffic signs, signals, and markings is not always effective in reducing congestion. If you have been injured because a car failed to stop at a stop sign or red light, you need an attorney who will do everything in their power to get you as much money as possible.

You may be certain that your case will be handled expertly by our lawyers, allowing you to concentrate on your recovery and medical care at a time when you need it most.

At the Warrior Car Accident Lawyers, we are committed to assisting people who have been injured in collisions at intersections to get monetary compensation for their injuries and losses. Until we win your case, there is no obligation to pay for our services. Get started with the legal procedure by dialing 719-300-1100 or contacting us risk-free online.

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