​According to FHWA, nearly 50% of all crashes occur at an intersection in urban areas. According to a survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the American Trauma Society, 63% of Americans see someone running a red light at least a few times a week and, at most, once a day. One in three Americans knows someone who has been injured or killed by a red-light runner. Intersections are dangerous because two or more roads come together and form what is called an “intersection.” According to the Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS), the national highway traffic safety associations (NHTSA) reports that over 2.3 billion. Based on (FARS) and National Automotive Sampling System General Estimates System (NASS-GES) data, about 40 percent of the estimated 5,811,000 crashes that occurred in the United States in 2008 were intersection-related crashes. ​

​It is not hard to see how dangerous these road junctions are with so many accidents that occur each year. While driving it is important to follow the lights and road signs at an intersection to avoid being involved in an intersection collision. If you or a loved one has been injured in an intersection collision please contact a Lawyer to discuss the legal options that you have available.

Common causes of intersection accidents are because of the driver’s poor decision while crossing the intersecting streets. This can result in auto damage and personal injuries for those involved in a collision. Many of the intersection accidents can include a pedestrian or bicyclist being hit, injured, or killed.  Many of these accidents could be avoided if drivers would obey the laws governing the right of way for traffic control stops. According to Texas State Law, an operator of a vehicle facing a circular green signal may proceed straight or turn right or left unless a sign prohibits the turn.  The operator shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully in the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk when the signal is exhibited. An operator of a vehicle facing a green arrow signal displayed alone or with another signal, may cautiously enter the intersection to move in the direction permitted by the arrow or other indication shown simultaneously.  The operator shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian lawfully in an adjacent crosswalk and other traffic lawfully using the intersection. An operator of a vehicle facing only a steady red signal shall stop at a clearly marked stop line.  In the absence of a stop line, the operator must stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection.  A vehicle that is not turning shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown.  After stopping, standing until the intersection may be entered safely, and yielding right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully in an adjacent crosswalk and other traffic lawfully using the intersection, the operator may: turn right; or turn left, if the intersecting streets are both one-way streets and a left turn is permitted.

Types of Intersection Accidents

Many intersection collisions occur because these are locations where two or more roads cross each other and there are activities such as turns, pedestrians, and bicyclists which present a unique situation for motorists. Intersections have a large proportion of crashes that occur because when two or more rides come together there is higher chance that vehicles could do the same. One of the most dangerous type of intersection is the four way stop. The four way stop intersection can be controlled by a stop light or a red light. The dangerous of a four way stop is in having a large amount of cars, trucks, or motorcycles trying to pass through the intersection at the same time. As traffic starts to gather, many become in a hurry to make it through the light. When vehicles run red lights or fail to stop at a stop sign it becomes increasingly likely that an auto accident could occur. Common types of intersection accidents include: