Avoiding Virginia Intersection Crashes | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

According to national statistics, almost half of all auto accidents happen at intersections. If you have been injured in a crash caused by another driver, you may want to speak with a Virginia personal injury attorney to find out what how you can file a claim against the at-fault driver.

In order to help decrease your risk of becoming an accident victim, there are steps you can take to help avoid intersection accidents. The first is to never assume the other driver will give you the right-of-way, even if you are the vehicle that should proceed first. Whether you are in a vehicle or on foot or bicycle, always check carefully for non-yielding drivers. Many of these drivers go without yielding because they are either unaware of traffic rules, are in a hurry, not paying attention, or they are under the influence of alcohol or other substance.

Another common cause of intersection crashes is when a driver is taking a right on red. Many drivers who see they are able to do this don’t bother coming to a complete stop first, they just proceed out. Other times, their vision is partially blocked by oncoming traffic and they think the coast is clear when there is actually a vehicle coming.

Many intersection accidents also occur because there is something wrong with the traffic lights, either they are out of order or malfunctioning. When this happens, it can create chaos and confusion as a lot of drivers are not sure how to correctly proceed in these situations.

If You Are Injured in an Intersection Accident

When an intersection crash occurs, the claim process can be a complex one, especially when trying to negotiate with insurance companies. Many times, the at-fault party’s insurance company will attempt to shift fault onto the victim of the crash. This is why it is important to retain the services of a seasoned Virginia car accident attorney to advocate you with the insurance company. Your attorney can file the injury claim and negotiate the amount of damages you should receive.

If the insurance company refused to negotiate in good faith, your attorney can then take your claim to the next step and file a personal injury lawsuit that will be litigated through the legal system. Our Virginia car accident attorneys have successfully represented many victims and have gotten them the compensation they deserved for their injuries.