Intersections are naturally dangerous places, as they are where two or more lanes of opposite-moving traffic intersect. Unfortunately, driver errors at intersections can make car accidents in these locations even more likely in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Auto accident lawyers in Pittsburgh suggest that learning the leading causes of intersection accidents can help you avoid becoming a victim.
Ignoring Traffic Signs and Signals
Intersections are organized and carefully orchestrated by signs and traffic control signals. This includes stop signs, red lights and yellow flashing lights. If a driver fails to obey traffic signals at an intersection, he or she could enter at the wrong time – when it is not safe to do so. This could end with a collision with a driver or pedestrian who did have the right-of-way and was already in the intersection.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a dangerous problem that killed at least 3,308 people in the U.S. in 2022, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A driver who is dividing his or her attention between the driving task and something else, such as looking at a cell phone or eating and drinking, may run a red light or fail to yield the right-of-way at an intersection, causing a crash such as a T-bone collision.
Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can lead to reckless and thoughtless driver behaviors, such as speeding, racing, running red lights and driving the wrong way. If a drunk driver encounters an intersection, he or she may run the light and drive right through it without stopping. This could result in a high-speed intersection collision.
Failing to Yield the Right-of-Way
A driver who is confused about who has the right-of-way at an intersection, or who carelessly doesn’t pay attention, could cause a collision by entering the intersection when it is someone else’s turn. The driver may fail to yield to the motorist, bicyclist or pedestrian who does have the right-of-way, causing both of them to enter the intersection at the same time and collide.
Dangerous Intersection Design
Although most intersection accidents in Pennsylvania are caused by driver error, dangerous road design can also contribute to these disasters. If the state or municipal government failed to design a reasonably safe and functional intersection, these design flaws could be identified as the cause of a preventable intersection accident. The government could potentially be held liable in this situation.
Malfunctioning Traffic Control Signals
Another issue that could point to government liability, or legal responsibility, for an intersection accident is malfunctioning or obscured traffic signs and signals. If a stoplight is faulty and does not show the correct color light, for example, this could cause an intersection accident. Obscured stop signs can also lead to collisions.
What Are Your Rights After an Intersection Accident in Pennsylvania?
If you get hurt in an intersection accident anywhere in Pennsylvania, you may be eligible for financial compensation for your medical bills and property repairs. Under Pennsylvania’s “choice no-fault” law, you may be eligible for a financial recovery from your own car insurance provider or the insurance company of the at-fault party. Contact a Pittsburgh personal injury attorney at Dallas W. Hartman P.C. today to discuss your case in detail during a free, no-pressure consultation.