Were you just injured in a car collision that occurred at an intersection? Was the accident the fault of another driver? If so, you could be entitled to compensation for your damages. Let’s discuss what might have led to the other driver’s negligence, and what you should do to protect your rights and obtain the justice you deserve after being wrongfully injured in a car accident.
Continue below to learn about the most common distractions that lead to intersection car crashes, and where to get the legal facts and advice you can trust regarding the initiation of your personal injury claim.
Intersection Car Crashes Usually Involve a Form of Negligence
When cars collide at an intersection, whether a junction of traffic lights or stop signs, there is always some form of negligence involved; generally, on the part of a driver, since most intersection crashes involve one or more vehicles. However, it could also be due to another at-fault party, such as a J-walking pedestrian, a cyclist who fails to adhere to traffic laws, or even the local government who maybe neglected to repair a traffic light. For the sake of this blog, we will discuss the common distractions that cause drivers of vehicles to be involved in an intersection car accident.
Types of Distractions That Cause Intersection Collisions:
► Intoxication – Whether it be illicit drugs, alcohol, or a type of controlled substance, such as prescription pain medication, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of any can be a crime and is negligence. Intoxicated driving happens to also be one of the number one causes of car accident, including intersection crashes. Intoxicated drivers can fall asleep at the wheel, run red lights, increase their speed and lose control of their vehicles in and near an intersection, all of which are very dangerous actions.
► Cell Phones and GPS – Texting, reading, sending emails, and dialing numbers on a cell phone is a top cause of car accidents in the 21st century. As for intersections, texting has caused many injurious, and even fatal crashes. This also includes GPS and navigational devices. Taking the eyes off the road at the wrong time, also while traveling through an intersection, can have grave consequences.
► Drowsiness – Drivers who are fatigued or drowsy, whether from lack of sleep, overload of sugar, a big lunch, or side affects of a medication, are very dangerous. Drowsy driving is incredibly hazardous, especially when traveling through a busy intersection. At night, this danger is even greater. Fatigued driving is a top cause of car accidents, which often take place at traffic light and stop sign intersections.
► Human Error – Another frequent cause of intersection car collisions is basic human error. Sometimes a driver gets confused and anxious about a traffic signal, which is common among new drivers and adolescents. Other times, a distracted driver might drift into the other lane, or even misjudge how long it will take them to come to a complete stop at the light. Sometimes the cause is blatant, intentional recklessness and sometimes it is a lack or reasonable care.
What You Need to Do as a Car Crash Victim in Indiana
If you were injured in a car accident, whether at an intersection or not, it is vital that you immediately seek medical treatment, and retain all documentation of your medical treatment. It is also vital to take photos and retrieve other forms of evidence regarding the details of your car accident, including video recordings, witness contact information, pictures of vehicle damage, pictures of the surrounding car accident scene, and more. You may have a loved one help you gather this type of car accident evidence. From there, be sure to follow all doctors’ orders and appear for all scheduled medical appointments. You will also need to immediately hire a car accident lawyer in Indiana to represent your claim. They can determine if you have a strong case, and then protect your rights to being fully compensated.
How to Get an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Indiana ASAP
Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to get in touch with an experienced personal injury lawyer who specializes in car accident injury cases in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we obtain a settlement or judgment for you. After a free initial case evaluation, our accident attorneys will determine if your case is worth pursuing, and if it is, we will begin working on it immediately. We represent injured persons throughout the State of Indiana.
