Intersections are some of the most common locations where motor vehicle crashes occur. When multiple vehicles approach an intersection from different directions, the chance of a collision is much greater than when vehicles travel in two lanes in opposite directions. In a meeting, drivers need to pay attention to the actions of other motorists and pedestrians and look for signs and traffic signals telling them when and where to proceed.
Often, collisions that occur in intersections are not the fault of a driver but are directly linked to the design of the meeting itself. Issues related to signs, traffic signals, and road markings can create circumstances that make an accident likely. In that case, a government entity may be liable.
If you were hurt in a crash in an intersection, you may have suffered severe injuries, such as head trauma, whiplash, and broken bones. You may have spent several days or weeks in the hospital. You may have to see a chiropractor or a physical therapist several times per week.
Your injuries in the accident may have kept you out of work. It may be months before you can return to your job, and when you do, you may only be able to perform some of the tasks you did before the collision. If you have severe injuries, you may be unable to work in your former position.
You and your family likely need your income to keep up with the medical bills on top of your regular household expenses. If you cannot return to your job, you are probably figuring out what other work you could do to support your family. This could be taking an incredible toll on you mentally and emotionally.
Car accidents caused by a dangerous intersection lawyer may be able to help you seek a financial award to compensate you for the losses you have already suffered and for losses you will be likely to experience in the future because of the collision. Ben Crump Law, PLLC has assisted clients across the United States injured in motor vehicle accidents due to various circumstances. We may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit for you. Please call our office at (800) 598-7557 to discuss your case with a team member.
What Can Make an Intersection Dangerous?
Sometimes an intersection is designed to make it likely that collisions will occur there. For instance, an area where traffic is entering from multiple directions may need a traffic light, which can lead to confusion about who has the right-of-way. Multiple lanes may have to merge, but the intersection may need signs showing the path motorists should follow.
An intersection sometimes has a traffic light and appropriate signage, but some objects make them challenging to see. For example, a tree with a branch hanging down may block a sign. A pole may be situated so drivers approaching the intersection from an angle cannot see a traffic light.
Sometimes the road itself needs to be marked. The line dividing a two-way street must be visible so drivers do not accidentally get in the way of oncoming traffic. In an intersection where vehicles travel in several lanes moving in the same direction, streets need clear lines separating them to prevent drivers from drifting into the wrong road. A lack of markings that have faded over time and are difficult to see can confuse and lead to collisions.
How a Car Accident Caused by a Dangerous Intersection Lawyer May Be Able to Help You
The Ben Crump Law PLLC team can investigate the circumstances at the time of the crash and factors that may have contributed to it. We can examine photos or videos documenting the intersection’s design during the collision. If we notice a flaw in the layout of the meeting or in the way it was marked, or if conditions at the time hindered visibility, the local government responsible for maintaining the forum may be liable for your losses.
The Legal Information Institute explains that sovereign immunity protects federal and state governments from civil lawsuits. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), the federal government sometimes waived its immunity when it adopted the Federal Tort Claims Act. Numerous state governments have also passed laws that limit the exemption of state government entities and their employees. Some state constitutions grant immunity to local governments.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the government body responsible for maintaining the intersection where the accident occurred. Our team may seek a financial award to compensate you for your past and future medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Each state has a statute of limitations that requires victims of personal injuries to file a lawsuit within a limited period. Those laws apply in most cases, but the rules differ when a victim sues a federal, state, or local government. In those situations, the statute of limitations is often significantly shorter.
Contact a Car Accidents Caused by a Dangerous Intersection Lawyer
The Ben Crump Law PLLC team can investigate the circumstances that led to the collision that injured you and determine who was liable. That is often a complicated and time-consuming process. The time to file a lawsuit is shorter than usual when the defendant is a government entity. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get to work.
If you are concerned about the cost of legal fees, you should not be. Our firm works on contingency. That means we cover upfront fees ourselves, and we only get paid if we obtain compensation for an injured client.
A team member can tell you what you need to know about filing a lawsuit against a government entity in your state, including how long you have to file a claim and how the process works. Could you call Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (800) 598-7557 so we can gather evidence and build a case for you as soon as possible?
