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Car Accidents

Car Accidents at Intersections Caused by Disregard of Traffic Signals

Posted Oct 05, 2022 by Matt Boulton

Each day across Indiana, auto collisions occur at or near roadway intersections. And for every car accident that actually happens at an intersection, there are also several near-misses.

So what makes Indiana’s intersections such a magnet for traffic accidents?

Having spent 25+ years investigating intersection-related car accidents throughout Indiana, attorney Matt Boulton has witnessed some common liability factors shared by these types of collisions.

However, before we take a look at some common causes of car accidents at intersections, please consult with an experienced Indiana personal injury attorney if you have been involved in a similar collision.

If you were not placed at fault for the accident, Indiana law allows for you to seek compensation for various damages, including:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering

An experienced attorney can help you better understand your legal rights as well as offer guidance on your next steps.

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Common Causes of Car Accidents at Intersections

Due to their various configurations, the rules at one intersection can vary significantly from those of the next. This is true for busy highways, such as US 31, or State Roads, like SR 135. You can also count on a variety of intersections in downtown Indianapolis and on our state’s rural roads.

But no matter the intersection’s type or configuration, there will be a number of potential signs or signals that help to regulate traffic. The problems arise when Hoosiers fail to see or obey these safety measures.

Matt has reviewed countless Indiana accident reports filed by officers, and those that involve a collision at or near an intersection often note some common liability factors, including:

Disobeying Traffic Signal or Sign

Running a red light or disregarding a stop sign are two common causes of car accidents at intersections.

In Matt’s experience, the liable driver will often report that they had simply not been paying attention (or missed) the sign. There are also instances when a traffic light is malfunctioning or a stop sign has been knocked down or is obstructed, however, this is not normally the case.

Failure to yield

A failure to yield at an intersection can occur in a number of ways, such as when a driver attempts a turn and fails to yield to oncoming traffic.

Remember, a flashing yellow turn light does not give you the right-of-way! Nor does it mean you have to turn. In many cases, a driver’s view is blocked by the turn lane traffic across from them, making it difficult to see if vehicles are approaching in the oncoming lane(s).

Or in the case of a stop sign, Matt has investigated a number of cases at two-way stops in which a driver with the stop sign falsely assumed the crossing traffic also had a stop sign.

Speeding

Unfortunately, speed continues to play a role in all Indiana traffic accidents, including those that occur at intersections.

When one or more drivers is speeding or traveling too fast for conditions, the chances of a collision increase, especially at busy intersections that may include multiple vehicles, pedestrians, and/or bicyclists.

Speed is also often related to intersection accidents in which a driver was attempting to beat the yellow signal before it turns red.

Distraction

Indiana has a strict law that forbids drivers from holding a mobile device while driving, but we still see instances in which distraction plays a central role in car accidents at intersections.

Distraction is one of the leading causes of all types of auto accidents, however, when a driver is distracted near or at an intersection, the odds of a collision between one or more vehicles increases greatly.

Besides mobile devices, other common distractions that may cause a driver to lose focus at or near an intersection include,

  • checking maps,
  • passenger activity,
  • food or drink,
  • unfamiliarity with location,
  • radio or dashboard distractions, etc.

Following too close

Matt often sees ‘following too closely’ listed on a report when there is stopped traffic at a light and one or more trailing drivers fail to stop in time to avoid hitting the vehicles in front of them.

Illegal left-hand turn

Attempting a left-hand turn (even legal ones!) at an intersection is a leading cause of many collisions, however, when there are signs or traffic devices that prohibit a left-hand turn, drivers should always follow this instruction.

Questions About a Car Accident at an Intersection?

If you were struck by one or more drivers who failed to obey a signal or yield the right-of-way at an intersection, you may have the legal right to pursue compensation.

Attorney Matt Boulton has been helping Indiana’s accident victims for 25+ years, and many of his clients retained him after being involved in a collision at an intersection.

In addition to award-winning credentials, Matt offers accident victims a Zero Fee Guarantee, meaning you will never be charged for a case review, and there is absolutely no fee unless the Boulton Law Group makes a recovery on your behalf.

If you’d like for Matt to review your potential case, you can use the firm’s free and confidential contact form. Matt personally reviews all potential cases and can advise as to whether or not he believes you have a case.

Matt Boulton

Author Matt Boulton

Attorney Matt Boulton is an award-winning personal injury attorney with more than 25 years of experience helping seriously injured people throughout Indiana. He designed his firm for the client who expects exceptional service and passionate, successful legal representation.

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