Intersection Accidents in Pittsburgh
Intersections are inherently dangerous as locations where multiple directions of traffic intersect or cross each other. If one driver at an intersection in Pittsburgh fails to yield the right-of-way or breaks a traffic law, he or she can cause a catastrophic intersection accident. After this type of crash, the victims involved may need assistance from an award-winning Pittsburgh attorney for car accidents to recover fair compensation for serious injuries.
What Is an Intersection Accident?
An intersection accident is a motor vehicle collision that occurs where roads intersect. It can involve two or more vehicles, a vehicle striking a bicyclist, or a vehicle hitting a pedestrian. According to the Federal Highway Administration, around one-fourth of traffic fatalities and one-half of injuries occur at intersections. In 2022, 12,036 individuals lost their lives in intersection accidents.
Pennsylvania’s Intersection Laws
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 3323 states that when approaching a stop sign, a driver must stop at the marked line or before entering a crosswalk. Then, the driver must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian in the crosswalk, any vehicle in the intersection or any vehicle approaching so closely as to constitute a hazard. A driver may only move across or within the intersection when it is safe to do so.
Drivers must abide by traffic lights and arrows at a signalized intersection. If faced with a steady red light, a driver must remain stopped and allow motorists with the green light to proceed into the intersection until the light changes. Whether or not a driver may turn right on a red light depends on the signage posted at the intersection. Regardless, drivers must check for and yield to pedestrians and other traffic before turning.
If a driver is attempting to make a left turn at an intersection, he or she must yield to oncoming traffic if given a standard green light. The driver must watch traffic and only make the turn when there is enough time to safely do so in front of any oncoming vehicles. Drivers who are given a green arrow may turn at any time as long as there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Who Is Liable for an Intersection Accident in Pittsburgh?
An intersection accident in Pittsburgh can occur when a driver or road user does not yield the right-of-way when the law requires him or her to stop and yield to avoid a crash. Drivers may not fully understand how to navigate an intersection in Pennsylvania based on state and local traffic laws. This can lead to devastating accidents.
Common driver mistakes that can lead to intersection accidents are:
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Speeding or racing
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Driving while distracted
- Driving under the influence
- Driver fatigue or falling asleep at the wheel
- Making an unsafe or illegal U-turn
- Aggressive, reckless or road rage driving
Other factors may also contribute to an intersection accident in Pittsburgh, such as a complex intersection layout, malfunctioning traffic lights, obscured or missing signage, road hazards or defects, a confusing construction detour, or bad weather.
When to Contact an Attorney
Intersection accidents may take the form of serious T-bone, rear-end or head-on collisions. If you get hurt in this type of crash in Pittsburgh, contact a local car accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights and options for making a financial recovery for serious injuries.
A specialized personal injury attorney in Pittsburgh can help you seek maximum compensation for your medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You can trust your lawyer to handle the insurance claims process against one or more at-fault parties for you while you concentrate on healing.