What Are Common Types of Intersection Accidents?
Although intersections are safe and can reduce traffic controls, statistics show that more than 40 percent of road accidents are intersection-related. These accidents are mostly because of the many vehicles that pass through these intersections daily. Roundabouts are the safest type of intersections according to reports from the US Department of Transportation because drivers find it much easier to negotiate than traditional traffic intersections.
What Are Intersections?
Intersections are points where several roads meet, cross, or converge. Meaning that vehicles moving in different directions meet here. Intersections vary in size, design, and configuration. There might be a conversion of more than six streets in the traffic designs. When car accidents in intersections happen, pedestrians, passengers, and car drivers are likely to be seriously injured.
Types of Intersection Accidents
There are several types of intersection accidents:
- Rear-end accidents: This intersection accident happens mostly because the driver becomes distracted and does not realize the driver in front of them has stopped.
- A collision between oncoming vehicles while one is making a turn into incoming traffic.
- An intersection accident: This happens either when the driver on one side of the road turns on a red light intentionally or when trying to drive through an intersection before the yellow light turns to red.
- The sideswipe collisions happen when one or more of the vehicles are making a turn.
- Crossing collision accidents happen when the driver is trying to drive through an intersection or is turning into a lane. This occurs when there is obstruction, and the driver cannot decide whether it is safe to cross to the other end of the road.
- When drivers crash into vulnerable pedestrians or cyclists.
- Accidents that happen at level crossings or rail crossings.
- Pileups happen when several vehicles collide into each other, and this sets off a chain of reactions.
What Causes Intersection Accidents?
Sometimes, intersection accidents happen because there are obstructions, and the driver cannot see oncoming traffic. These obstructions include missing traffic signals, overgrown shrubs that block the driver’s view, and parked vehicles blocking the driver’s view. Aggressive driving is often the primary cause of intersection accidents. Conventional aggressive driving techniques in the United States include improper lane changing methods, following a lead driver too closely, sudden speed changes, and unlawful passing and merging of vehicles. Speeding is the most common aggressive driving, and it causes severe fatalities because of the transfer of force to your car from the speeding vehicle.
Impaired driving, such as driving when drunk or fatigued, is a significant cause of intersection accidents because it slows down their reaction rate. They become a hazard in intersections with massive traffic. Distracted driving also puts the driver, passengers, and pedestrians at risk of getting into intersection accidents. Distracted driving causes the driver not to notice changing traffic signals and the vehicles in front of them.
Bad weather causes slippery road surfaces and poor visibility, and this leads to intersection crashes. Water from heavy rain might accumulate in intersections, dips, or potholes, and this causes drivers to hydroplane as they negotiate the intersection. However, careful driving and following traffic rules can prevent such accidents. If injured in an intersection accident and not at fault, you can seek legal advice from a car accident lawyer. This lawyer will ensure that you receive monetary compensation for medical attention, pain and suffering caused by the accident, and other losses and damages.
How to Avoid Accidents at Intersections
A driver should avoid all forms of distractions while on the road, and they should be very alert, especially when approaching an intersection. It would help if you also learned the art of patience because impatience builds up emotions, which leads to poor decisions and accidents. Ensure that you wear and tighten your seat belt and ensure that your passengers wear theirs.
Knowing the various types of intersections will play a significant role in ensuring your safety. Always be careful whenever on the road, as many things can distract you from driving. Finally, avoid speeding at intersections at all costs because it will limit your ability to brake when you come across a distraction.
