In order for Washinton motorists to reach their destinations, streets and highways must intersect. Unfortunately, intersections are unforgiving when a motorist makes an error in judgment, acts negligently, or intentionally disregards signs and traffic signals. A car accident attorney in Arlington is here to help you navigate any accidents caused due to the negligence of others.
Why Are Washington Intersections Dangerous?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), half of all traffic accidents with injuries and a quarter of all car accident fatalities happen in intersections. There are tens of thousands of Intersections in Washington, with over 1,100 signal lights and 1,000 traffic circles (roundabouts) in Seattle alone. Unlike traveling along a highway, navigating an intersection requires decision-making. The decision-making process at an intersection must include a knowledge of the laws of right-of-way, a willingness to follow traffic signals, and vigilant attention to traffic, pedestrians, and any other circumstances present.
In some cases, intersection accidents may be exacerbated by poor roadway planning or the lack of adequate signs. In these cases, a lawsuit against a negligent city road planning agency may recover compensation for injury victims if compelling evidence supports the claim.
When one driver fails to yield the right of way according to a traffic signal or according to traffic laws, they can cause a serious car accident. Failure to yield the right of way at an intersection leaves the at-fault driver liable for an injury victim’s damages. Common types of accidents in Washington intersections include the following:
- T-bone accidents (also called angle collisions or broadside accidents)
- Rear-end accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Sideswipes
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck accidents
Intersection accidents may occur due to driver distraction, speeding, aggressive driving, or impaired driving. Less commonly, some intersection accidents happen because of mechanical problems like brake failure or from a defective auto part. They may also occur because of obstructed vision or road hazards.
What Types of Injuries Occur In Washington Intersection Accidents?
An accident in an intersection often results in injuries to both cars involved in the collision, or multiple vehicles. An example of a multi-vehicle accident that’s not uncommon in Washington intersections occurs when a distracted driver has a rear-end collision with a car waiting at an intersection, knocking it forward into the intersection where a car with the right of way hits it. Common injuries in intersection accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries or traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries such as whiplash
- Back injuries including ruptured or herniated discs
- Soft-tissue injuries like sprains, strains, and torn ligaments
- Internal organ injuries or internal bleeding
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations, contustions, and abrasions
- Facial or dental trauma
When injuries occur in an intersection, it often takes a thorough investigation by the insurance companies of the involved drivers and an injury victim’s car accident lawyer to pinpoint the cause of the accident, determine which driver or other entity is at fault, and file a claim for damages against the at-fault party.
How Can an Intersection Accident Lawyer in Washington Help My Case?
After an accident, the insurance adjusters assigned to a case prioritize protecting their company’s profits. This often means they do so at your expense. Call the car accident lawyers at Wells Trumbull for skilled legal counsel so your best interests are represented by your Arlington personal injury attorney throughout every step of the claim process.