If you were in an unexpected crash, an intersection accident attorney can guide you through the legal process to determine who was at fault and help you obtain the best possible outcome. Intersection accidents can be complicated. It can be difficult to know who is to blame. Even police officers making reports sometimes get it wrong. However, with a careful investigation, we can determine who should be responsible for your damages.

For help with your intersection accident, call Etengoff Pak Law Group – Vancouver Personal Injury Attorney at (360) 693-2919. We will work diligently to help you get the compensation you deserve.

What You Should Know About Intersection Accidents

Intersections are junctions where two or more roads meet. The more roads that converge at one intersection, the more dangerous the situation for cars who are traveling on those roads. Although traffic signs and lights can help guide vehicles through intersections, people are often confused about right of way, speed limit, and more through intersections.

Nearly 40% of car accidents occur at intersections, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA). That’s more than 2.3 million intersection accidents annually, with 7,000 of those resulting in fatalities and more than 700,000 injuries.

Intersection Laws in Washington State

The State of Washington has enacted specific laws that address driving through intersections in an attempt to make the endeavor safer. Drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and anyone else on the roads should obey these laws to avoid an intersection accident.

RCW 46.61.180 states that when two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different highways at the same time, the driver to the left should yield right of way to the driver to the right.

RCW 46.61.190 states that if a driver is involved in a collision in an intersection or roadway junction, after passing a yield sign without stopping, then that driver is at fault for the accident. The driver’s failure to yield is evidence of their fault.

Types of Intersection Accidents

There are various types of intersection accidents that can occur, including:

U-turns – This occurs when a vehicle attempts to make a u-turn and collides with an oncoming vehicle.
Failure to obey a stop sign or red light – Stop signs and red lights direct drivers to stop in the road and allow others to continue. When a person fails to stop, they risk hitting a vehicle that has legal right of way.
Intersections without signs – Some intersections in neighborhoods and rural areas do not have signs or traffic lights. This can cause confusion for drivers.
Five-point intersections – Where five roads converge, a multi-leg intersection can cause drivers confusion that leads to accidents.
Turning at an intersection – When vehicles turn right or left at an intersection, they often cross the path of oncoming cars, creating a dangerous situation.

Determining Fault in Intersection Car Accidents

Driver error is a common cause of intersection car accidents; however, sometimes lack of road signs or traffic lights is to blame. Roads may also be poorly designed or vegetation may cause visibility issues. When a driver is to blame, fault can be easily determined. However, when another cause may play a factor, other people, companies, or government entities may be at fault as well. A skilled intersection accident attorney can evaluate the totality of your situation and help you determine who is at fault in your accident.

If your case goes to court, a jury may be tasked with determining who is at fault in your intersection accident. In that case, you will have to present evidence from eye witnesses, accident reconstructionists, experts, traffic cameras, and any other information you can gather.