What to do if you were hurt in an intersection crash
An experienced Bronx car accident lawyer explains what to do if you were hurt in an intersection accident.
NYC has some of the most congested streets and intersections in the nation. With millions of people living and commuting within more than 400 square miles, navigating our intersections can be nerve-racking. Motorists, truck drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians often use the same intersections and sometimes find themselves at odds with each other. Knowing who has the right of way can be confusing at some of NYC's intersections. But failure to yield the right of way or simply to comply with traffic signals often results in serious and fatal intersection accidents.
Who is at fault for an intersection crash?
Determining fault in an intersection crash can be fairly simple or complex, depending on the type of crash and the factors that contributed to it. They typically occur when a driver:
- Runs a red light or stop sign: T-bone crashes are the most complex types of car accidents. Since there is very little protection between a car occupant and a side door, these crashes tend to result in severe or fatal injuries. Determining fault can be difficult since the driver who gets hit could be at-fault for running a red light or stop sign.
- Rear-ends another driver: Rear-end collisions often happen at intersections, when one driver hits another driver who is legally stopped at a red light or stop sign. These types of crashes often result in whiplash and concussions. When they occur at high speeds, injuries can be severe or even life-threatening.
- Makes a negligent left-hand turn. Negligent left-hand turns often result in head-on collisions and T-bone crashes. This occurs when drivers fail to use caution when turning at busy intersections. They may turn when they don't have the right-of-way or when they have a red light. Negligent left-hand turns are also often the cause of serious and fatal motorcycle accidents.
Why an investigation is necessary
Until a full investigation is conducted, nobody can determine who was at fault for an intersection crash. In many cases, there is a lot of finger-pointing that goes on as one side tries to pin the blame on the other. Moreover, the insurance company of the at-fault driver will likely shift the blame to avoid its obligation to fully compensate the crash victim.
To determine who was at fault, an experienced car accident attorney would need to gather the following pieces of evidence:
- Physical evidence from the crash scene (tire marks, damage to vehicles, damage to roadside structures and debris left behind)
- Details from the official car accident report
- Statements from witnesses
- Electronic records from the at-fault driver's cellphone provider
- Surveillance camera footage
- Dashcam footage
- A copy of your medical records to link your injuries to the crash
See a doctor and speak to a lawyer ASAP
If you were involved in an intersection crash, it's critical that you see a doctor as soon as possible to get diagnosed and treated before your injuries get worse. Sometimes seemingly minor injuries don't produce symptoms until days after a crash. Even if you don't feel any aches and pains, you should still get medical attention. Doing so will help give you the tools to build a strong legal claim against the at-fault driver and their insurance company.
Before taking any other course of action, be sure to discuss your crash with an experienced Bronx car accident lawyer. The legal team at Giampa Law would be glad to sit down with you during a free consultation. Our law firm has earned a reputation for taking on insurance companies, fighting for fair settlements and getting results. We have fought for millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We have the case results to prove it. Contact us online or call us to get started on your claim.
