California Intersection Accident Attorneys
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Our Intersection Accident Attorneys In California Offer Personalized Legal Support For Every Client
During an intersection accident, finding who’s at fault can be challenging. Even if the other driver was clearly at fault, they might have a completely different account of what happened. If you’ve been injured in an intersection accident, our California intersection accident attorneys can help. We can assist in pursuing compensation for your injuries, medical costs, and other related losses. Call (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
Proper road maintenance, safe intersection design, and effective, well-timed traffic controls are integral components of ensuring that drivers throughout California can navigate roads safely.
However, despite the best efforts to reduce roadway collisions, according to the Federal Highway Administration, about half of all severe and fatal vehicular accidents begin at or near intersections.
If you are involved in an intersection accident in California, it is important to understand the traffic laws that apply, how liability may be established, and what steps you can take if another driver’s negligence caused your injuries. Our intersection accident attorneys can help you assess your case, gather evidence, and navigate the claims process while providing guidance on your legal options.
Understanding Comparative Liability In Intersection Accidents
Assessing fault is an important part of any auto accident case. California follows a system of pure comparative fault, which means liability may be shared between multiple parties rather than assigned entirely to one.
For example, in a car crash at an intersection, a court might decide one driver was mostly at fault and the other less so. This decision affects how much each driver can recover in damages. Even if it seems someone else caused the accident, there can be disagreements about how responsible each person truly is.
Because fault is divided by percentage, preserving reliable evidence is critical. Skid marks fade, surveillance footage may be lost, and witness statements can become less reliable over time. Having timely documentation may make it easier to establish what happened.
It is also important to be careful about what you say after the crash. Even simple statements to the other driver or an insurance adjuster can sometimes be interpreted in ways that reduce your potential compensation. For instance, if you mention that you did not look both ways because you believed you had the right of way, an insurer could argue that you share part of the blame.
Consulting with an attorney after an intersection accident can help you understand how comparative fault laws may apply in your case and what steps to take to protect your rights.
(No guarantee of outcome. Results displayed were dependent on unique facts of that case, and different facts will bring different results.)
Common Types Of Intersection Accidents In California
An intersection accident can happen in a wide variety of ways. Examples of various intersection accidents can include:
- Rear-End Accidents — This type of accident occurs when the rear driver incorrectly assumes that the front driver will proceed through the intersection and hits them from behind. In 2023, more than 3.78 million rear-end collisions occurred across the United States. Most rear-end accidents happen when the front driver turns when the rear drivers believe that they will keep straight.
- T-Bone Accidents — The most common intersection accident type, defined as when one car hits another from the side, forming a T-like shape. These accidents happen when one driver turning at the intersection fails to yield to another driver keeping straight, or vice versa.
- Head-On Collisions — Head-on collisions are much less common since two able drivers aren’t likely to collide with each other. In 2023, head-on collisions accounted for approximately 380,000 crashes, representing 4.1% of all multi-vehicle accidents. These accidents commonly occur when drivers are impaired, overly tired, distracted, or intoxicated.
- Right-Turn Accidents — Right-turn accidents are widespread. These accidents happen when someone who is crossing the street, such as a pedestrian or cyclist, and a motorist try to use the intersection simultaneously. A vehicle making a right turn collides with them without failing to yield.
Why You Need An Intersection Accident Attorney
Under the California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1, most auto accident claims must be filed within two years of the date of the accident.
Deadlines are strict, and evidence can fade over time. That’s why many people choose to consult an attorney after an intersection accident. A lawyer can review your situation, explain how California law applies, and guide you through the process of seeking compensation for medical bills, lost income, or other accident-related losses.
Why Do Most Accidents Happen At Intersections?
When another driver reaches an intersection, there are various considerations and precautions he or she must make to cross safely without harming anyone. These precautions include:
- Paying close attention to traffic and surrounding signs.
- Respecting the state’s road laws and regulations.
- Making the right safety moves that don’t increase the risk of collision.
At intersections, accidents usually happen because of two things:
- Negligent or reckless driver behavior, such as drunk driving, distracted driving, and speeding.
- Failure or ignorance to abide by right-of-way guidelines and other essential laws.
Common intersection collision scenarios include failing to stop at red lights and stop signs, failing to watch surroundings, and making a turn without looking first to check for other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Intersection accidents happen very often. Most of the time, intersection accidents involve making left turns. Intersection accidents could occur when a driver makes a head-on collision with another driver or pedestrian after unsuccessfully merging into oncoming traffic to turn.
Unfortunately, a collision can occur whenever a car enters the path of another driver. And that’s just what intersections are: an area where cars share paths. This fact is why intersection accidents are so common.
Intersection Accident Information
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration reported that intersections are linked to about one-quarter of all traffic fatalities and roughly half of all traffic-related injuries in the United States annually.
Throughout the United States and California, failing to stop at red lights has become a prevalent issue. Running a red light in an intersection can lead to disastrous events. Running a red light places the driver in danger and puts other drivers crossing the intersection at risk. California is the third-largest state in the country and has several large cities.
Intersection collisions in California cities can result in catastrophic injuries for everyone involved. Thankfully, technological advancements such as red-light cameras help us hold offenders accountable and record the events leading to severe and deadly collisions.
California Traffic Intersection Accidents
According to studies, running red lights is a common and dangerous traffic violation. In 2023, crashes involving red light running resulted in 1,086 fatalities.
Some of the most reckless drivers on the road are red-light runners. The most basic law on the road is to always stop at a red light. Disregarding this basic rule can cause severe consequences.
Disturbingly, violators show a complete disregard for other drivers’ safety or knowingly disobey the law. In either case, the careless driver causes injuries to other motorists. Motorists in California fail to stop at red lights for several different reasons, some of which are defined as negligence and others as a result of reckless driving behavior.
Here are the other causes of California intersection accidents:
- Frustrated motorists
- Distractions
- Tailgating a car ahead without seeing the light change
- Failure to stop at a red light due to trying to outrun the signal change
The bottom bullet point can happen to anyone who tries to beat a yellow light. Some drivers believe that being a few seconds late after a red light is harmless, which isn’t true. Antsy drivers can immediately leave the intersection after a green light and collide with motorists who run their light.
Intersection Accident Injuries In California
Intersection accident injuries can vary from a few minor scratches to severe paraplegia and brain trauma. Nonetheless, being in a car accident can be a life-changing experience for anyone involved. It can take a long time to recover from a severe or catastrophic injury from an auto accident.
As a result, it’s essential to seek immediate medical attention after an accident to avoid making your injuries worse. Recovery time can depend on the quality of medical care you receive.
Missing work could lead to lost wages, and in some cases, the person could lose their job. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may need a caregiver to perform basic tasks. Overall, costs associated with medical injuries can increase quite rapidly.
Under California law, drivers injured due to another party’s negligence may have the right to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other accident-related losses. This is especially important in cases involving catastrophic injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Paraplegia or quadriplegia
- Severe eye damage
- Amputation
- Injuries resulting in significant cognitive, mental, or behavioral impairment
An experienced car accident lawyer can explain your rights, help document your losses, and guide you through the process of pursuing a claim. They can also connect you with medical professionals for a detailed assessment of your injuries, treatments, and their costs.
Contact Our California Intersection Accident Attorneys For Legal Help
Intersection accidents can cause severe consequences for all parties involved. At Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., our intersection accident attorneys have years of combined experience representing individuals injured in auto accidents across California.
If you have been hurt in an intersection accident, our team can review your case, explain your rights, and discuss your legal options. To schedule a free initial consultation, call us at (888) 488-1391 or contact us online.
