Motor vehicle accidents can always result in severe damage and catastrophic injuries regardless of the circumstances or location. Even so, major traffic intersections have the potential to become the sites of particularly disastrous accidents at surprisingly frequent intervals.
The Federal Highway Administration reports that more than half of all crashes occur in or near intersections. By understanding the factors that make intersection accidents so common, you can do your part to preserve the safety of yourself and others.
Dangerous maneuvers
There are a surprising number of rules to consider when stopped at an intersection and it may not always be clear which actions are illegal in specific areas. For example, an unobservant motorist might attempt a dangerous u-turn without realizing that nearby signage prohibits that action.
Distractions
Many drivers have a tendency to let distractions in when stopped at a red light. Those who take the opportunity to check their phones or start a conversation are actually contributing to the likelihood of an accident.
Speeding
Motorists driving above the speed limit are more likely to cause a rear-end collision when arriving at an intersection. Similarly, attempting to speed through a yellow light can have disastrous consequences when traffic from other directions starts moving.
Exercising heightened awareness and keeping good defensive driving habits can help you avoid causing or sustaining a devastating crash at busy intersections. If the negligence of another driver causes you to incur damage or injury despite your best efforts, however, you can pursue legal action and secure the compensation you deserve from the at-fault party.