Our roads are becoming more crowded. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), there are an estimated 7.3 million drivers in our state. With so many vehicles on the roads, accidents are common. Even though today’s cars and trucks are equipped with the latest safety equipment, crashes happen every day. Charlotte is a bustling city, and there are many intersections that are dangerous.
- Sugar Creek Road and North Tryon Street
- Josh Birmingham Parkway and Wilkinson Boulevard
- Albemarle Road and WT Harris Blvd
- Albemarle Road and Lawyers Road
- Brookshire Blvd. and North Hoskins Road
These intersections typically averaged about one accident a week last year. One thing that these roads have in common is that they have several or more lanes of traffic, with complex traffic light systems. They are near large highways, and are very busy most of the day.
Common Types of Intersection Accidents
There are a variety of types of accidents that occur at intersections. Rear-end collisions are common at intersections when one vehicle hits another from behind. T-bone crashes happen at intersections when one vehicle is turning and collides with a vehicle that is traveling straight. Side-swipe accidents are common when a driver is trying to move to a different lane, such as when they realize they need to make a turn. Accidents with pedestrians and bicycles often happen at intersections, and these crashes can be extremely serious. Vehicles may not see pedestrians, especially when the vehicle is turning.
What Causes Accidents at Intersections?
The most common cause of intersection accidents is driver error. Driver error takes various forms. Distracted driving is one of the most likely reasons for accidents that occur at intersections. Distracted driving means doing anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your focus off driving. When vehicles stop at a red light, the driver may take a few seconds to use their phone, eat or drink, apply makeup, or talk to passengers. This momentary distraction is all that is needed to create a potentially dangerous situation.
Another cause of intersection accidents is confusion or improper directions. This is especially true in intersections with many lanes of traffic and various signals in place. Failure to obey traffic signals is the cause of many accidents at intersections. Examples include such things as running a red light and turning on red without stopping. Sometimes this may be due to distraction or to confusion, which may happen when there are multiple signals for different lanes of traffic. Speed may play a role in some intersection accidents.
Preventing Accidents at Intersections
Most accidents at intersections are caused by human error and, therefore, are preventable. Drivers need to stay focused on the road, especially when they approach a busy intersection. If a driver finds they are in the wrong lane, it is best to continue on and turn around later. Be aware of other drivers as well as people walking or biking. Pay close attention to the traffic lights because they may be confusing. It is notable that all of these intersections are included in Charlotte’s 30-year transit plan that will improve transportation in the Charlotte area.
If you have been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Call us today at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to schedule a consultation with our experienced legal team.
The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.ncdot.gov/Pages/default.aspx
https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
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https://www.freeimages.com/photo/crisscross-tokyo-city-1564852
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