Many of the worst collisions occur at busy intersections. When vehicles have to cross paths with one another, many things can go wrong. Most of the time, collisions are clearly the fault of the drivers involved.
People don’t monitor their surroundings. They ignore traffic regulations, traffic lights or signage. In such scenarios, one driver may be able to make a claim against the other’s insurance or file a personal injury lawsuit in more serious cases. Occasionally, car crashes at intersections may occur in part because of how local or state authorities designed or managed the intersection.
How might local authorities contribute to the likelihood of a collision at an intersection?
Insufficient maintenance
Inadequate surveillance is one of the leading causes of intersection collisions. Drivers may try to proceed through an intersection when they cannot clearly see approaching traffic. In some cases, the failure to properly trim vegetation near an intersection can contribute to this risk factor. Overgrown intersections are a safety hazard. Local or state authorities should ensure that vegetation does not obscure the line of sight for anyone approaching the intersection.
Questionable design
There are many ways to control the flow of traffic through an intersection. All too often, the authorities responsible for designing, maintaining and repairing roads go with the simplest solution instead of the best one. Many urban planners and design professionals working for infrastructure organizations understand that left turns at intersections are a leading cause of collisions. They may propose replacing a traffic light or four-way stop with a roundabout. Choosing to maintain a traditional intersection at a high-risk location could contribute to the likelihood of major crashes occurring in the future.
Improperly timed lights
The way that lights at intersections change guides the flow of traffic. It can produce congestion or increase the risk of a crash. Factors including the duration of yellow lights and how long each lane of traffic has to turn or proceed through the intersection can influence crash risk. Particularly when there is an imbalance, with one street having far less time to proceed through the intersection than the other, drivers may feel compelled to rush through yellow lights or run red lights.
When design issues directly contribute to an intersection car crash, the people involved may have options for pursuing compensation. State and municipal authorities are sometimes liable when design or maintenance issues are major contributing factors to a collision.