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When two or more roads come together at an intersection, there is a higher possibility of an accident. Based on the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) estimates that 40% of all the auto accidents in 2008 occurred at intersections. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers recognizes the dangers of intersection collisions and is committed to helping people injured in Chicago intersection car accidents get the compensation they deserve from responsible drivers.
On a national basis over 2.3 million auto accidents at intersections, with over 7,000 fatalities and over 700,000 injuries. With so many accidents happening at these road junctions, many resulting in injury or even death, it is important to understand the rules of the road before trying to determine fault.
Following the Illlinois Law Applicable to Control of IntersectionsMost intersection auto accidents happen due to one or more drivers making poor decisions before proceeding, resulting in auto damage and personal injury. This poor judgment or recklessness can lead to motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists being injured when drivers do not obey the law applicable to right-of-way and traffic control devices. In Illinois, 27.2% of motor vehicle fatalities in 2009 happened at intersections, where many could have been avoided.
According to Illinois state law, right-of-way at intersections is to yield to the person at your right, or to whoever approached the intersection first.
(625 ILCS 5/11-901) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-901) Sec. 11-901. Vehicles approaching or entering intersection. (a) When 2 vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different roadways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right. (b) The right-of-way rule declared in paragraph (a) of this Section is modified at through highways and otherwise as stated in this Chapter. (Source: P.A. 76-1739.)
Whenever to roads collide, there is a chance that the vehicles using them will do the same. Four-way stops, whether controlled by stop signs, stop lights or uncontrolled can be dangerous due to the volume of cars passing through them.
- U-turns. According to Illinois state law, you cannot conduct a u-turn within 100 feet of an intersection unless official signs are posted that you can do so.
- Running a stoplight or stop sign. Vehicles that do not obey stoplight signals or stop signs are often at fault for intersection accidents. When the vehicles collide in a perpendicular manner, these crashes are frequently referred to as ‘T-Bone Accidents’
- Uncontrolled intersections. The rules of right away are never as important as at an uncontrolled intersection with no signs or lights to direct traffic. In 2009, the percentage of intersection fatalities that happened at uncontrolled rural almost doubled since 2006, accounting for 41%.
- Turning at an intersection. According to the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey that was done on crashes that happened between 2005-2007, turning at an intersection was responsible for over 23% of intersection crashes.
Unfortunately, due to the large amount of intersection car accidents in congested cities like Chicago, there is also a large amount of property and personal injury claims due to these accidents. Victims of an auto intersection accident, whether a driver or passenger in a car, a pedestrian or a bicyclist deserve to be compensated for their losses and injuries. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are experienced in all aspects of Chicago auto injury claims and can negotiate the best settlement for your accident. As with most of our personal injury cases, we only charge a fee if we are able to secure damages for you in your intersection auto accident case. Please contact us for a free, no obligation consultation.
Resources for information on traffic accidents occurring at intersections:
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811366.pdf
http://www.dot.il.gov/illinoisshsp/SHSPProgressReport2011.pdf
