Traffic accidents that occur on high-speed roads can be devastating, but motorists should not underestimate the severity of crashes that happen at major intersections. Proceeding safely through an intersection requires a surprising amount of awareness and decision-making capability, and one lapse in judgment can lead to catastrophic injury.
More than 50% of total crashes occur at or near intersections according to the Federal Highway Administration. You can do your part to keep yourself and others safe by recognizing some of the most common causes of intersection accidents.
Distractions
Drivers often allow distractions to take over when stopped at a red light. Answering a phone call, texting or interacting with a GPS app can all contribute to the likelihood of an accident even if you think you will return your full attention to the road when the light turns green.
Illegal maneuvers
Every motorist on the road has the responsibility to abide by traffic laws and to obey any special signage that might be present at intersections. As one example, performing a u-turn when a nearby sign indicates that such a maneuver is illegal can surprise other drivers and interfere with traffic that has the right-of-way, therefore making a collision much more likely.
Obstructed views
When you are attempting to turn at an intersection, you might find that a shrub or other obstacle obstructs your view of oncoming traffic. Performing the turn without completely verifying that the lane is clear can be a dangerous course of action.
Even when you do your due diligence to drive responsibly, there is little you can do to prevent the negligence of other drivers. If you experience a car accident because another driver fails to uphold a proper level of caution, you have the right to pursue legal action.
