You’re driving and about to approach an intersection. You’ve got a green light and continue on your way when without warning you're T-boned by another driver as you enter the intersection.
Situations like this happen a lot more than you might expect and describe one of the most common types of car accidents: intersection crashes. Car accidents at three-way and four-way road junctions happen every day in Connecticut and across the nation. According to the Federal Highway Administration, more than half of all the accidents that involve fatalities or serious injury occur at intersections.
While they are common, intersection accidents often result in complex insurance claims. That’s because it can be difficult to determine fault without the right evidence. One driver might say they had a green light. The other driver might find a witness who says the light was yellow and about to turn red. In another example, the driver of a car that gets hit in an intersection might argue they did nothing wrong, but police might determine they were speeding.
Often, attorneys representing intersection accident victims conduct in-depth investigations that might include visiting the scene of the crash, examining skid marks, taking photos, reviewing traffic camera footage, interviewing witnesses, scouring police reports, looking at the crash scene's accident history, and more.
What are the main types of intersection crashes?
Here are a few of the most common types of collisions at intersections:
- T-bone crashes. Also known as a broadside or side-impact accident, a T-bone crash might occur after a driver runs a stop sign or red light. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as texting while driving, driving under the influence, following too closely, and speeding.
- Rear-end accidents. A car might be stopped for a red light or a stop sign at an intersection and get struck from behind by a driver who was distracted and failed to stop in time.
- Sideswipe accidents. A vehicle that glances off another vehicle might sound like a minor incident, but sideswipe accidents can result in serious injuries or even death. In intersections, these accidents often occur when two cars try to converge into one lane at the same time. A motorist may be changing lanes to prepare for a turn at an intersection.
- Head-on crashes. While not as common as some of the other intersection accidents, a head-on crash in an intersection involves a car that collides directly into the front end of an oncoming vehicle. In some cases, the at-fault driver is drunk, distracted, drowsy or speeding and loses control.
Connecticut's comparative negligence law
When it comes to car accidents, Connecticut follows a modified comparative negligence system. If you want to recover compensation from the other driver, you can't be found to be more than 50% at fault for your crash. Let's say a jury finds you were 20% at fault for an accident because you were speeding. That means any compensation you're eligible to receive will be reduced proportionately by that same percentage of fault. For instance, if you're awarded $10,000 in damages but found to be 20% responsible for the crash, the most you'll be able to recover is $8,000. If it's determined you were 51% or more at fault, you would be barred from making a financial recovery from anyone else involved in the accident. As such, it's critical that you don't get blamed for something you didn't do. Fortunately, an attorney can help you do just that.
Vishno can help
Having an experienced lawyer on your side can make all the difference in your claim if you were injured in an intersection accident considering these types of crashes are often highly contested. Don't let the insurance company for the other driver try to pin the blame on you. Protect your rights and contact attorney Jeremy Vishno, a highly skilled car accident lawyer who has more than 25 years of legal experience and understands how to handle complex cases. Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless you win. Call today.