What is the most common accident at an intersection? An intersection accident is an everyday occurrence in Connecticut. Drivers need to be aware of their legal rights if they are injured while approaching or while driving through an intersection. Reach out to a car accident lawyer for more information.
Statistics from the Connecticut Crash Data Repository reveal that intersection accidents account for a significant number of crashes in the state. In 2022, 32.17% of accidents on Connecticut roads occurred in and around intersections.
Fault can be a complicated issue when accidents occur at intersections. It is in your best interest to speak to a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible.
Our car accident attorneys serve clients injured in intersection accidents throughout Connecticut from offices in Middletown, Danbury, Waterbury, and Bridgeport.
Where Do Intersection Accidents Happen?
With nearly one-third of car accidents occurring within intersections or the area surrounding an intersection, it is important to understand the unique issues that contribute to intersection accidents. The latest crash statistics show the dangers motorists face in different types of intersections:
- 4-way intersections: 13,360 accidents (16.42%)
- T-intersections: 11,131 accidents (13.68%)
- Y-intersections: 925 accidents (1.14%)
- 5-point (or more) intersections: 324 accidents (0.40%)
- L-intersections: 270 accidents (0.33%)
- Roundabouts: 105 accidents (0.13%)
- Traffic circles: 66 accidents (0.08%)
As you can see, 4-way intersections account for the majority of collisions. Multiple factors can lead to intersection accidents at a 4-way stop, including right-of-way violations, failure to stop at a stop sign or red light, and more.
Common Types of Intersection Accidents
The Connecticut Crash Data Repository records the feature of the roadways on which crashes occur as well as the manner of the crash (essentially the type of accident), but it does not correlate these two different sets of data. However, the broader trends in Connecticut car accidents can help us make an educated determination as to what constitutes the most common intersection accident.
1. Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car crash in Connecticut, accounting for 33.48% of all accidents in 2022. Intersections are a common location for rear-end crashes due to factors such as:
- Excess speed
- Tailgating
- Running a red light or entering the intersection on yellow
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
Often, rear-end collisions in intersections happen because the driver in back misjudges the distance between vehicles or follows the car in front too closely. This, combined with issues such as looking at a cell phone instead of the road or rushing to beat the light can result in a crash.
2. Accidents at an Angle
In Connecticut, collisions at an angle are virtually tied with single-vehicle crashes for the second leading type of car accident. Approximately 20% of crashes in 2022 involved accidents at an angle.
Side-impact or T-bone accidents are the most common type of collision at an angle occurring in intersections. These crashes usually occur due to violations of a driver’s right of way.
The Connecticut right of way law reads as follows:
“Each driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall grant the right-of-way at such intersection to any vehicle approaching from his right when such vehicles are arriving at such intersection at approximately the same time, unless otherwise directed by a traffic officer. Failure to grant the right-of-way as provided in this section shall be an infraction.”
If you proceed lawfully through an intersection and a motorist to your left collides with the driver’s side of your vehicle, you are likely entitled to compensation for any injuries and damages you sustain. The same may also be true if you arrived at an intersection before the driver to your left; the accident must be investigated immediately to ensure that the order of events is properly documented and fault is attributed accordingly.
3. Sideswipe Accidents
Overall, sideswipe accidents accounted for approximately 17% of 2022’s crashes in Connecticut. The majority of these accidents involved collisions between vehicles traveling in the same direction, although the number of crashes between vehicles traveling in different directions cannot be overlooked.
Depending on the layout of the road, both types of sideswipe accidents can occur at or in intersections. These crashes usually occur when a motorist fails to pay attention and drifts from his or her lane.
4. Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions always need to be taken seriously. Although they accounted for less than 3% of crashes in the state last year, these crashes commonly result in serious injuries and fatalities.
Multiple errors can lead to a driver hitting another motorist head-on in an intersection. These include:
- Disobeying a traffic control device (e.g., driving straight when vehicles in the opposite direction have a turn arrow)
- Failure to stay in one’s lane
- Speeding
- Texting while driving, talking on the phone, and other types of distracted driving
- Aggressive and erratic driving
Fault is commonly disputed in a head-on crash. It is important to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible if you were involved in an intersection accident where the driver struck you head-on.
5. Pedestrian Accidents
Motorists and their passengers are not the only ones at risk of injury in intersection accidents. Although pedestrians typically have the right of way in a crosswalk, this may not stop a careless driver.
Pedestrians should be able to feel safe in areas of the road where they have the right of way. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents still occur at intersections, and the consequences can be severe.
Injured in an Intersection Accident? Talk to an Attorney Today
The risk of an accident often increases at intersections. If you were injured or a member of your family was hurt or killed in an intersection accident, The Flood Law Firm can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Our lawyers have extensive experience representing clients in settlement negotiations and at trial. We are often able to achieve superior settlements because defendants and their insurers know that we are not afraid to go to trial if it means obtaining the best result. Reach out to personal injury lawyers today.
