Introduction

Intersection accidents account for approximately 40% of all car accidents in the United States, making them one of the most common collision scenarios. These crashes occur when vehicles collide while crossing, turning, or merging at intersections, often due to right-of-way violations, running red lights, or failure to yield. If you've been injured in an intersection accident, understanding liability rules and how to prove the other driver violated your right-of-way is essential.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about right-of-way laws, common types of intersection collisions, gathering evidence to prove fault, and recovering compensation when another driver's violation caused your injuries.

Taking the right steps after an intersection accident can make the difference between establishing clear liability and facing a disputed claim. We'll walk you through the process from accident scene to settlement.

Understanding Intersection Accidents

Intersection collisions take various forms depending on traffic control, vehicle movements, and which driver violated the rules. The driver who violated the right-of-way is almost always at fault. Common scenarios include T-bone collisions when one driver runs a light, left-turn accidents when a turning driver fails to yield, and rear-end crashes when a driver stops suddenly.

Right-of-way rules determine which driver has priority to proceed through an intersection. At signalized intersections, green means go and red means stop. At stop signs, the first vehicle to arrive and stop has the right to proceed first. Understanding these rules is essential for establishing fault.

Left turns are particularly hazardous because the turning driver must yield to oncoming traffic. Left-turn drivers bear the burden of ensuring the turn can be completed safely. A driver who turns into oncoming traffic is typically liable for the resulting collision.

Four-way stops create confusion that leads to accidents when drivers disagree about who arrived first or when multiple vehicles arrive simultaneously. The driver on the right has priority when vehicles arrive at the same time.

Proving Right-of-Way Violations

Traffic camera footage can definitively prove which driver had the green light or properly stopped at a stop sign. Request this footage immediately as it may be deleted within days. Red light cameras automatically photograph violations and can provide timestamped evidence.

Witness testimony from other drivers, pedestrians, and people at nearby businesses can corroborate your account. Multiple witnesses stating you had the green light creates powerful evidence. Get written statements while memories are fresh.

The police report documents officer observations, driver statements, and often the officer's determination of fault. If the officer issued a citation to the other driver for running a red light or failing to yield, this citation is strong evidence of negligence.

Vehicle damage patterns indicate the angle and point of impact, helping reconstruct how the collision occurred. The location of damage on each vehicle tells experts about vehicle positions and movements at the time of collision.

Your own dashcam footage, if available, provides compelling evidence of your light status and the other vehicle's movements. Encourage all drivers to install dashboard cameras for exactly this situation.

Common Intersection Violations

Running a red light is one of the most dangerous traffic violations, frequently causing severe T-bone collisions. Drivers run lights due to distraction, impatience, or misjudging yellow light timing. Red light cameras in many cities document these violations automatically.

Failure to yield occurs when a driver required to yield proceeds into the path of another vehicle with the right-of-way. This includes failure to yield while turning left, failure to yield at yield signs, and failure to yield when entering from a side street.

Rolling stops at stop signs contribute to many intersection accidents. Drivers who slow but don't fully stop may enter the intersection when another vehicle is already proceeding through, causing a collision.

Distracted driving at intersections is particularly dangerous because these locations require full attention to traffic signals, signs, and other vehicles. A driver looking at their phone may miss a red light entirely.

Building Your Case

Document the intersection immediately after the accident. Photograph traffic signals, stop signs, lane markings, and sight lines from all approaches. This evidence may be needed to prove the other driver had adequate warning to stop.

Identify all witnesses and get their contact information before they leave the scene. Ask what they observed about traffic signals and vehicle movements. Witnesses often don't realize how valuable their observations are.

Note the exact time of the accident, as traffic signal timing records can verify light cycles. Your attorney can subpoena these records to prove signal status at the moment of collision.

Obtain nearby surveillance footage from businesses, traffic cameras, and other sources. Send preservation requests immediately to prevent routine deletion of footage that could prove your case.

Review the police report carefully for accuracy. If the other driver admitted fault at the scene or the officer observed evidence supporting your account, these details should be documented.

Insurance and Settlement

Insurance companies frequently dispute fault in intersection accidents, with each driver claiming the other violated the right-of-way. Don't accept a 50/50 fault determination without fighting back with evidence proving the other driver's violation.

Liability is often clear when there's a traffic citation, witness testimony, or camera footage. With strong evidence, you can demand full compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.

If the other driver's insurance disputes fault, your uninsured motorist coverage may provide compensation while the dispute is resolved. This coverage protects you from being left without compensation due to another driver's lies.

Settlement values for intersection accidents vary widely based on injury severity and strength of liability evidence. Cases with clear right-of-way violations settle for more than disputed cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is at fault in an intersection accident?
Fault typically falls on the driver who violated right-of-way rules. This includes running red lights, failing to stop at stop signs, failing to yield when turning, and entering intersections when unsafe. Traffic citations and signals determine right-of-way. Both drivers can share fault if both violated traffic laws.
What if both drivers claim they had the green light?
Traffic camera footage, signal timing records, and witness testimony can prove which driver actually had the green light. Many intersections have cameras or log signal timing. Your attorney can obtain these records. In rare cases of signal malfunction, the municipality may share liability.
Can I recover if I was partially at fault?
In most states, yes. Comparative negligence rules allow recovery reduced by your fault percentage. For example, if you're 25% at fault for speeding through a green light when another driver ran the red, you can recover 75% of damages. Only a few states bar recovery if you share fault.
How important are witnesses at intersection accidents?
Witnesses are crucial, especially when fault is disputed. Other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and nearby residents or workers may have seen the collision. Get contact information immediately as they may leave before police arrive. Independent witnesses are more credible than interested parties.
What if the traffic signal wasn't working properly?
If a malfunctioning signal contributed to your accident, the government entity responsible for maintaining it may share liability. Document the malfunction with photos and report it to authorities. Obtain maintenance records showing when the signal was last inspected. This creates an additional claim beyond driver negligence.
How do I prove the other driver ran a red light without witnesses?
Evidence includes red-light camera footage, traffic camera video, police officer observations arriving shortly after crash, signal timing data proving light sequence, damage patterns consistent with one driver having right-of-way, and the other driver's own statements admitting they ran the light.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Intersection accidents usually have a clear at-fault driver - the one who violated the right-of-way. Your priority is gathering evidence before it disappears: traffic camera footage, witness statements, and documentation of the scene.

The most important steps you can take right now are: photograph the intersection and all traffic controls, get witness contact information, note the exact time for signal timing records, obtain the police report, and avoid admitting any fault at the scene.

If you've been injured in an intersection accident and the other driver is disputing fault, contact a qualified car accident attorney for a free case evaluation. Evidence proving right-of-way violations must be preserved quickly. An experienced attorney can gather traffic camera footage, interview witnesses, and build a case that proves the other driver caused the collision.