Intersection Crashes In Charlotte, NC
Were you injured in an intersection crash in Charlotte, NC? Intersection crashes injure or kill hundreds of motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians annually. These injuries can result in long-term physical and mental trauma and financial losses.
Most of these car accidents happen because of driving errors, such as failing to yield to vehicles or pedestrians with the right of way. A Charlotte car accident lawyer from Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers helps victims of careless drivers pursue compensation for their injury-related losses. Call our law office at (704) 980-9999 for a free consultation.
How Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After An Intersection Accident In Charlotte, NC
The attorneys at Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers have over 32 years of combined legal experience representing injured clients in Charlotte, North Carolina, as they fight for necessary resources from those responsible for their injuries. Our firm has successfully recovered over $35 million in settlements and court awards for accident victims.
Our Charlotte personal injury lawyers will assist you with your intersection-related car accident by:
- Discussing your crash and identifying possible legal claims
- Gathering information, such as crash reports, medical records, and witness statements
- Preparing and filing an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer
- Negotiating a settlement and litigating if negotiations are fruitless
You have the right to seek compensation from negligent drivers who cause intersection crashes. Contact our law office to schedule a free consultation with a Charlotte car accident attorney to discuss your injuries and the financial compensation you can pursue for your losses.
Intersection Crash Statistics In North Carolina
North Carolina’s Department of Transportation classifies crashes as either intersection-related or non-intersection-related. Intersection crashes happen at or near the location where two or more routes cross. The state includes all roads, highways, and railroads when determining whether an accident occurred at an intersection.
Intersections include any controlled or uncontrolled crossing or merging. For example, an intersection may have traffic signals, stop signs, yield signs, merge signs, or no signs at all.
The state’s 2023 Crash Facts report identified 138,467 intersection crashes and 137,817 non-intersection crashes that year. This means just over 50.1% of traffic accidents in 2023 occurred at or near intersections.
Of these crashes, 507 caused at least one fatal injury, and 39,791 caused at least one non-fatal injury. While the state does not disclose how many total fatalities resulted from intersection crashes, you can infer that at least 507 pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists died during those collisions.
Causes Of Intersection Collisions
Intersection crashes often happen because of a failure to yield the right-of-way. The right-of-way regulations identify which driver must wait and which may proceed. The following common scenarios involve a right-of-way violation:
- Running a red light
- Failing to slow down or stop at a yield sign
- Merging without looking
- Going out of turn at a stop sign
- Turning left without waiting for oncoming traffic to clear
- Making a right turn without waiting for a gap in cross-traffic
When drivers fail to yield the right of way, multiple vehicles will cross paths simultaneously, increasing the risk of a collision.
These crashes occur at an angle or front-to-side. Both types of crashes can cause serious or fatal injuries. Seat belts and airbags are designed for frontal or rear-end collisions. In an angle- or side-impact, only vehicles with optional side airbags prevent the vehicle occupants from hitting the doors and side windows.
These impacts can injure the victim’s head, chest, and abdomen. Moreover, a side-impact collision with a vehicle’s door can crush the motorist and trap them inside.
Liability For Intersection Crashes
The liability for most car accidents in North Carolina falls on the negligent party. Negligence means someone failed to exercise the caution expected of a reasonable person in the same situation. Some examples of unreasonable decisions that can lead to intersection crashes include the following:
- Jaywalking
- Running a sign or signal because the driver was texting
- Trying to beat another vehicle or a pedestrian through an intersection due to impatience
The negligent party is liable for the losses incurred by anyone injured by their actions. Specifically, they and their insurer must pay for the economic losses from the injuries, such as medical costs and lost earnings. Moreover, they are liable for the non-economic impact of the injuries on the victim’s life, including the pain and suffering they have experienced.
Contact Our Charlotte Car Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
Intersection collisions can cause serious injuries and short- or long-term disabilities. Contact Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with a Charlotte car accident attorney to discuss your intersection collision and how we can help you pursue compensation from the at-fault driver and their insurer.