Georgia Injury Lawyers Blog
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that approximately 40% of all car accidents occur at intersections. This may not be surprising, given the fact that intersections bring various streams of traffic together that are moving in different directions. However, reports also indicate that in the state of Georgia the number of accidents occurring at intersections is increasing.
The good news is that accidents at intersections generally involve slower moving traffic, and therefore fatalities are less common. Regardless, there is still some risk of death, and the risk of serious injury is very real. If you or a loved one has been injured in an intersection accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Causes of Intersection Accidents
The NHTSA estimates that 96% of intersection accidents are attributable to driver error. In other words, at least one of the drivers was at fault in almost every accident that occurred at an intersection. Weather or mechanical issues attributed less than 3% of the crashes. The NHTSA ranked the driver’s errors that caused these accidents as follows:
- Failure to pay attention: 44.1%
- False assumption of the other driver’s intentions: 8.4%
- Making a turn with an obstructed view: 7.8%
- Illegal turn or another maneuver: 6.8%
- Distracted driving: 5.7%
- Misjudgment of other vehicle’s distance or speed: 5.5%
Interestingly, failing to pay full time and attention is by far and away the most common cause of car accidents at intersections.
What This Means for Accident Victims
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you typically have to prove that the other driver was negligent and therefore caused the accident. As noted above, almost all accidents that occur in intersections are the result of driver error. Furthermore, by far the most common error in these accidents is the at-fault driver’s failure to simply pay attention. In other words, most of these accidents are the result of simple negligence. Maybe the other driver didn’t see the light change and entered the intersection against a red light. Or maybe she made a left turn and didn’t see you coming. Whatever the case, you stand a very good chance of being able to receive compensation for your injuries.
Common Injuries in Intersection Accidents
Even though intersection accidents have a lower fatality rate than other accidents, they still present a serious risk of injury and even death. Intersection accidents are typically side-impact accidents, also known as “T-bone” accidents. However, rear-end accidents are also possible as well as head-on collisions. Here are some of the common injuries suffered by victims of intersection accidents:
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spine and neck injuries
- Broken bones, torn ligaments and tendons
- Bruises and lacerations
- Damage to internal organs
Keep in mind that many injuries don’t manifest themselves right away. It is critical that you see your doctor as soon as possible for a full medical evaluation, and follow up with them if new aches or pains present themselves after your first appointment.
Contact an Atlanta Area Intersection Accident Lawyer
Since 1992, the attorneys at Slappey & Sadd have been helping all kinds of accident victims, including those who were hurt in intersection accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, give us a call at 404-255-6677 or send us an email in order to schedule a free consultation.