Washington DC Intersection Accidents
Accidents at intersections can be a traumatic experience. If you have been injured in an intersection accident, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible, as you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and property damages.
The Washington, DC accident attorneys with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have years of experience helping people who have been injured in intersection accidents get the compensation they deserve.
What is an Intersection Accident?
An intersection auto accident is any collision that occurs in the middle of an intersection. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 50% of car accidents occur at intersections.
Intersection accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk drivers or drivers under the influence of drugs
- Speeding drivers
- Drivers who fail to stop at red lights and stop signs
- Drivers who fail to yield to the right of way
- Driver fatigue
- Defective auto parts or safety equipment (such as faulty brakes)
- Poorly maintained roads and hazardous intersections
- Drivers who make an illegal left turn at intersections
- Reckless driving, excessive speeding, or aggressive driving
- Poor weather conditions such as rain, ice, and fog
Common Injuries from Intersection Crashes in Washington DC
The type and severity of injuries that victims suffer will depend on the force of impact, the speed at which the vehicles involved were traveling, whether seatbelts were worn, and airbags deployed.
Some common intersection accident injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Head injuries (including traumatic brain injury)
- Spinal cord injuries or paralysis
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Lacerations and other serious wounds
- Burns
- Wrongful death
If you or a loved one has been injured in an intersection accident and suffered a serious injury, do not hesitate to contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.
Traffic Light Intersection Accidents
Traffic lights are designed to reduce accidents by dividing traffic into manageable sections and allowing cars to proceed through an intersection one by one. However, intersections with traffic lights can still be a source of serious accidents if other drivers fail to obey the rules set forth for their respective intersections.
For example, red-light runners who race through intersections can cause a traffic accident when they collide with cars that are lawfully proceeding through the intersection on a green light. Likewise, drivers making a left turn illegally at intersections can also cause a car crash by failing to yield to oncoming traffic.
Disputing Fault in Traffic Light Collisions
Both drivers in traffic accidents will claim that the other driver was at fault in many cases.
This can often lead to a lengthy and frustrating legal battle as each driver tries to prove that they were not responsible for the accident. However, by working with an experienced personal injury attorney, you may be able to avoid taking your case to court and resolve the dispute more quickly.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by another driver’s failure to obey traffic signals, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights.
Stop Sign Intersection Accidents in Washington, DC
Like traffic lights, stop signs are designed to reduce accidents by allowing drivers a chance to slow down and proceed through the intersection in an orderly fashion.
However, some drivers ignore or fail to see stop signs and continue through an intersection at a high rate of speed. This can cause serious accidents, especially if another driver is in the process of driving through the intersection on a different street.
In addition, to stop signs, some intersections are controlled by yield signs which require drivers to slow down and proceed cautiously into an intersection when it is safe to do so.
Other Accidents
When a traffic accident occurs, it can also cause bicycle and pedestrian accidents. These accidents often occur at intersections when one driver fails to yield the right of way to a pedestrian or cyclist. These accidents can also happen when a driver is distracted and doesn’t see a pedestrian or cyclist crossing the street.
Determining Fault in Intersection Accidents in Washington, DC
Fault in an intersection accident can be difficult to determine. In some cases, both drivers may share fault for the accident. This is often the case when one driver fails to obey a traffic signal or stop sign while the other driver is unlawfully proceeding through the intersection.
When drivers fail to obey traffic signals or make illegal turns, they can cause auto accidents that result in serious injuries or death. In fact, according to the Federal Highway Administration, roughly 35,000 car accident deaths occur every year, and approximately 50% of all fatal automobile crashes occur at an intersection.
If you have lost a loved one in an intersection accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver who caused the accident.
Is It Worth Getting a Car Accident Lawyer?
If you have been injured in an intersection car accident, it is important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
The Washington, D.C. car accident lawyers with Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have a proven track record of success helping clients obtain the maximum compensation possible for injuries they have suffered due to the negligence of others. Our firm has consistently demonstrated we have the expertise needed to help our clients see that justice is served. We have the resources needed to conduct thorough investigations of all the circumstances contributing to a motor vehicle accident, gathering the evidence to establish liability and negligence.
Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. has achieved more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements, and our attorneys have more than a century of combined legal experience. Two of our partners are certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our firm has also earned the highest AV® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, the most respected attorney-ranking service organization in the United States. Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. attorneys work passionately on behalf of our clients to help them secure fair compensation – there is no type of case that is too complex for us to litigate.
Recoverable Damages in an Intersection Crash
If you have been injured in a collision accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The following types of damages are typically recoverable if the evidence shows that another driver was negligent:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress
- Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses
We Will Get You a Fair Settlement
Our car accident lawyers have years of experience handling car accident cases. Here are a few of our case results:
- $6 million for a client who suffered a brain injury after being involved in a rear-end collision.
- $4.8 million for a severely injured client after another vehicle struck his motorcycle.
- $1.9 million for a client who suffered a permanent back injury due to a car accident.
- $1.5 million for a client who had to undergo multiple surgeries after a negligent motorist cut off his motorcycle.
- $1 million settlement obtained on behalf of our 19-year-old client who was a passenger in a car in which the driver lost control, causing a collision. As a result, our client suffered extensive brain damage with cognitive impairment. He was in a coma for an extended period of time. Although he has regained consciousness, he is unable to care for himself. The law firm asked the Court to appoint him a guardian to care for him. The law firm is helping to establish a special needs trust so that the proceeds from the settlement will be protected against any medical liens.
- $1 million settlement on behalf of a client who suffered a brain injury when the driver of the car in which he was a passenger lost control of his vehicle.
Contact an Accident Lawyer Today
If you are looking for the highest level representation available for your personal injury case, turn to Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. Our firm has helped clients recover more than $500 million in compensation, and we have more than 100 years of combined experience. All of our partners are recognized by Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers®, and our firm includes three past presidents of the Trial Lawyers Association of Metropolitan Washington, D.C. We work to help our clients obtain fair settlement offers to compensate them for the injuries they’ve suffered, but our attorneys are extremely well-equipped to go to trial if needed. Call (202) 659-8600 or contact us online to get the proven legal representation you deserve.
