Contact the Jurewitz if you have suffered considerable losses in an intersection crash. Our knowledgeable Carlsbad intersection accident lawyers can help you understand your rights and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Let us work with you to ensure your recovery so you can move on with your life. For a free‚ comprehensive consultation‚ call us today at (760) 585-4640.
Intersections can be accident hotspots for motorists‚ bicyclists‚ and pedestrians. While there are commonly established regulations which dictate how to proceed at intersections and who has the right of way‚ it is very common for these regulations to be disregarded by negligent individuals. Speeding‚ distracted driving‚ drunk driving‚ and other reckless behavior often contribute to accidents.
The most common types of intersection car accidents include:
- Running a red light or stop sign‚ causing a side-impact collision
- Turning left without checking to see if the intersection is clear of other motorists‚ pedestrians‚ and cyclists
- Failing to stop at stop signs or red lights in time‚ resulting in a rear-end collision
An attorney can help you prove the other driver’s liability by investigating the accident. If there were any traffic cameras at the scene‚ any photos or video footage at the time of the crash could be used to render your case indisputable. Otherwise‚ your attorney may collect statements from witnesses‚ analyze your medical report‚ consult with accident reconstruction experts‚ and gather other material evidence to strengthen your claim.
At four-way uncontrolled intersections‚ motorists should act as if there are yield signs and give the right-of-way to vehicles that came before them‚ vehicles to the right‚ and pedestrians. At uncontrolled T-intersections‚ pedestrians on the through road have the right of way. As long as you did not cross the intersection in a manner that made it impossible for the driver to yield to you‚ you have a legitimate injury claim.
According to California Vehicle Code Section 21801‚ “the driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left … shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement.” Therefore‚ the driver making the left turn is almost always at fault. Exceptions to this near-automatic liability can occur if the driver had a left turn signal‚ the other vehicle was speeding (difficult to prove)‚ or the driver began the turn when it was safe but an unexpected occurrence caused him/her to slow down or stop in the intersection.
While all motorists are expected to exercise good judgment while behind the wheel‚ the government has the responsibility to design and maintain reasonably safe roads and intersections. If a dangerous condition at an intersection exists‚ such as inadequate signage or the absence of traffic lights‚ and it contributes to an accident‚ then the government entity responsible for the design and maintenance of the intersection may be held liable for damages.
If you have any questions or concerns about your case‚ please do not hesitate to contact one of our Carlsbad car accident attorneys for answers. We have years of experience and a successful track record for holding negligent parties accountable. To set up a free and in-depth consultation with us‚ call our office or submit an online contact form and we will get back to you within 24 hours.
