You may have driven through countless intersections without thinking about it, but it’s actually one of the most dangerous moments while driving. More than half of crash injuries occur at or near intersections, and more than 96% of intersection crashes are due to driver inattention. That means the best way you can avoid accidents at an intersection is by paying attention, knowing what to look for, and preparing your reaction.
Understand the Possible Risks
Sometimes drivers are in a hurry and don’t come to a complete stop or look around, or they might take for granted what to expect at a familiar intersection. Regardless of the reason, though, driver inattention causes the vast majority of intersection accidents.
Even if you don’t seem to be sharing the road with other drivers, it’s essential to be mindful of how you approach an intersection; specifically, keep in mind that other drivers are often not paying attention when they should be. Understanding this ahead of time can give you leeway to prevent a collision.
Pedestrian accidents are another common hazard at intersections. Pedestrians have the right-of-way in crosswalks. Take care when approaching intersections with crosswalks and never stop your vehicle within a crosswalk.
How to Avoid Intersection Accidents
Intersections are already naturally busy spots where cars, pedestrians, and bicyclists meet from all sorts of directions. It doesn’t help that everyone is increasingly distracted and not necessarily paying attention to what’s happening around them, even when they’re in a hurry.
Look Around
To offset some of the potential dangers, make sure your eyes are always moving around, never fixating on a single point in the distance. That means scanning for possible hazards but also ensuring you know what’s going on ahead of you.
Slow Down
Likewise, speed matters, too. Anyone can suddenly cut ahead of you from seemingly out of nowhere, and the faster you go, the less time you have react safely. This is especially true if you’re turning at an intersection; turning onto a new road introduces a new driving environment with minimal initial visibility. Signaling your turn can also prevent other drivers from misunderstanding your intent.
Keep Your Distance
When you stop at an intersection, always leave yourself an “out.” Giving yourself about half a car’s length of distance from the car ahead of you gives you a cushion in case you’re rear-ended, preventing a second collision from the front. If you’re the lead car, giving yourself this extra cushion protects the pedestrians walking by if your vehicle is hit from the rear.
Wait
Most intersection accidents happen in those first few seconds when the traffic light changes; some drivers might not be paying attention, or they were already committed to “beating” the light, even though it’s already red. When the light turns green, take a moment to ensure the cross-traffic has stopped before continuing your drive.
If You’re Involved in an Intersection Accident
In car accident claims, a driver who was negligent behind the wheel is liable party. Being held accountable for causing an intersection accident means having to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial penalties. You can seek out this compensation if you’re injured by filing a claim with your insurance company.
If your case will go to court, hiring a car accident attorney can assist with gathering evidence, such as photos, videos, and police reports, to prove the other driver was negligent.
Accident Prevention Starts with You
The most important thing to remember is to take responsibility for your own safety. Never assume what another driver will do, because this puts your life in their hands. However, if you find yourself at an intersection collision, speaking with a car accident lawyer is a practical way to figure out if you have a claim; they can provide legal counsel throughout the process.
