What Are The Common Causes of Intersection Accidents?

Negligence is the primary cause of accidents at intersections. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), several factors contribute to intersection accidents, including:

• Speeding. Drivers often accelerate to beat a yellow light, which actually signals them to slow down and prepare to stop. Many drivers treat the yellow light as a signal to hurry, which is illegal and increases the risk of crashes. In fact, intersections are the site of about thirty-three percent of all car accidents.
• Making left turns. Left-hand turns can be particularly hazardous because drivers need to be aware of oncoming vehicles and pedestrians crossing the street. Due to the high frequency of left-turn collisions, many intersections now include dedicated arrow signals to reduce these accidents.
• Running red lights. It is mandatory for all drivers to stop at a red light. Ignoring this rule can lead to serious crashes, including fatal collisions involving vehicles or pedestrians. Drivers turning right must come to a complete stop before proceeding, or risk causing an accident.
• Rear-end collisions. These are the most common type of intersection crash. They typically occur when a driver slows down for a yellow light but is hit from behind by a driver who is trying to run the light. Usually, the driver who rear-ends another vehicle is considered at fault.

All of these accidents are largely preventable and stem primarily from driver negligence. Every driver has a responsibility to share the road safely by obeying traffic laws and understanding how to navigate intersections properly. Failure to comply with these laws typically means the negligent driver is liable for any resulting accidents. If you’ve been involved in an intersection accident, contact our personal injury lawyers in Carlsbad for a free consultation.

In California, when a driver breaks a traffic law that causes an accident, they are considered negligent per se—meaning their negligence is assumed because they violated the law. This makes it easier for victims to seek compensation for injuries. Survivors must show that the other driver broke the law, that this violation caused their injury, and that the law was intended to prevent this type of harm.

Other Carlsbad Car Accident FAQs:

• I Was Rear-Ended At A Parking Lot In Carlsbad; Who Is At Fault?
• If A Car Makes A Left Turn, Who Is Considered At-Fault If There Is An Accident?
• What Are The Common Causes of Intersection Accidents?
• Who Is Liable For A Pedestrian Accident In Carlsbad, California?
• Will I Get More Money If I Hire A Carlsbad Car Accident Attorney?