Intersections are important junctions that facilitate the smooth movement of vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Those intersections also make it easier for motorists to reach their destinations because they feature intuitive designs. When designed and used properly, intersections can alleviate traffic problems in small towns, big cities, and numerous other locales.

Unfortunately, intersections have also become hotspots for car accidents. Motorist interactions at intersections can sometimes lead to terrible crashes that sometimes border on being deadly. Many innocent drivers have sustained injuries and lost their lives at intersections.

Take this opportunity to learn more about intersection car accidents so you can steer clear of them more effectively. We will also discuss steps you can take if you are ever involved in an intersection crash.

Factors That Contribute to Intersection Car Accidents

Despite the relatively small spaces they occupy on roads, intersections still account for a significant percentage of car accidents in the United States. According to the Federal Highway Administration, more than 50% of fatal and injury vehicle accidents take place at or near intersections.

Saying that intersections are accident-prone areas is not an exaggeration by any means. But why are intersections so dangerous for motorists in the first place? Truthfully, there is nothing wrong with how intersections are designed. Instead, blame for intersection car accidents often falls on the motorists involved.

You will better understand how driver error causes intersection car crashes by continuing below.

Inadequate Surveillance

A few years back, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took an in-depth look at crash factors in intersection-related accidents. They found that the number one reason was ‘inadequate surveillance’, which was a factor in 44.1% of these accidents.

So, what is ‘inadequate surveillance’? Simply put, it’s when drivers don’t properly check around them before moving at an intersection. But it’s not just about failing to look. Sometimes, a driver might look but still miss seeing a potential danger, leading to an accident.

That’s why it’s always important to take a good look around whenever you’re at an intersection. It’s one of the easiest ways to avoid getting into an accident at these crossroads.

False Assumption of Other’s Action

Incorrectly assuming how another driver will act is another common cause of intersection crashes. You may assume a driver will stop at an intersection because their light has been yellow for a while. However, they may see that yellow light and decide to speed up instead.

Misjudging that and similar situations can lead to accidents.

Turning with an Obstructed View

Your position at an intersection could also be the reason for your accident. If you end up in a spot with an obstructed view, you may have to turn blindly onto your road. Doing so can lead to a collision with another driver. Practice more caution when navigating those spots so you can avoid collisions.

Illegal Driving Maneuver

You can find some drivers who disregard the rules of the road whenever they feel like it. Engaging in that behavior is always dangerous, but it is an even greater threat around intersections. Drivers who run red lights and perform other illegal driving maneuvers at intersections can cause catastrophic accidents.

Never put yourself and your fellow motorists at risk by always following the law.

Internal Distraction

Distracted driving is a major issue for many motorists. Smartphones and new car features can distract drivers and make them more susceptible to accidents. Avoid using gadgets as much as possible while driving to keep yourself safe.

Misjudgment of Another Driver’s Speed

Lastly, misjudgments related to the speed of other motorists can also factor into intersection car accidents. You should avoid overtaking another driver if you cannot fully grasp how fast they are going.

Different Types of Intersection Car Accidents

We now better understand why car crashes are so common at intersections. You can use the information above to stay safe while moving through those parts of Maryland roads.

In this part of the article, we will be concentrating on the various kinds of car accidents that take place at or close to intersections. Get to know more about these different intersection accidents and keep an eye out for them while you’re on the road.

Flashing Traffic Light Accidents

While approaching an intersection, you may notice flashing traffic lights. Are you aware of what those flashing lights mean?

Both flashing red and yellow traffic lights urge drivers to exercise caution. A flashing red light tells drivers to stop and check their surroundings before crossing the intersection. Meanwhile, a flashing yellow light commands drivers to slow down before crossing.

Abide by those flashing traffic lights whenever you see them and avoid accidents.

Stop Sign Accidents

Intersections with stop signs are also common places for accidents, often because drivers aren’t sure what they should do.

When you come to a stop sign at an intersection, it’s important to give way to pedestrians and other drivers who were there before you. If you’re turning right, you should let the drivers going straight go ahead first. And if you’re turning left, you should wait for both the drivers going straight and those turning right.

Not following these rules at a stop sign can cause an accident. Even if you don’t crash, you might still get a warning or a ticket from a traffic officer.

Uncontrolled Intersection Right-of-Way Accidents

Some intersections are trickier to handle than others, especially those without traffic lights or stop signs. These are often the spots where accidents happen more frequently, mainly because some drivers aren’t sure how to deal with them.

In general, you don’t need to stop at these uncontrolled intersections. But it’s a good idea to slow down and take a good look around before changing lanes. You should also let any driver who got to the intersection before you go first. If you and another driver arrive at the same time, the one on the left should let the one on their right go ahead.

By following these rules carefully, you can avoid accidents at these tricky uncontrolled intersections.

Uncontrolled T-Intersection Right-of-Way Accidents

Finally, we also see accidents at T-intersections.

A T-intersection is where one road ends and another crosses it. If you’re on the road that ends, you need to let any drivers on the crossing road and any pedestrians go first.

To avoid an accident at a T-intersection, it’s very important to focus on what’s happening in front of you.

“He Said, She Said” Cases and Disputed Liability

Clear evidence indicating how an accident unfolded is not always available. In some cases, the available evidence in a particular case may even muddy the waters. Those are the so-called “he said, she said” or disputed liability cases.

They are known as “he said, she said” cases because neither side involved in the accident can definitively prove their innocence or the other party’s guilt. Both parties provide different accounts of what happened, so uncovering the truth is a greater challenge.

You could find yourself involved in a “he said, she said” case. So, how should you work out of that scenario?

First, you need to hire a lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer can then gather all pieces of available evidence that will help shed more light on what actually happened. They can reach out to witnesses at the scene of the accident and request their testimonies. They can also speak to experts who can piece together what happened by looking at the damage to the vehicles and the condition of the accident site.

A good lawyer can also use records to make sound arguments in disputed liability cases. They can pull the other driver’s records and highlight previous incidents that point to a pattern of reckless behavior. They can do the same with your records and emphasize that you have always been a careful driver.

“He said, she said” cases can be tricky, but experienced lawyers can still secure favorable outcomes from them.

CCTV Footage and Cameras Which Capture Car Accidents

A disputed liability case can become complicated due to the lack of evidence clearly showing what happened during an accident. Thankfully, those pieces of evidence are still available in some cases. The evidence in question may come in the form of CCTV footage.

CCTV footage is helpful in intersection accident cases because it can provide an unbiased account of what happened. A camera can capture the cars involved in the crash as well as the current condition of the accident site when the collision occurs. The footage may also indicate which party was responsible for the crash.

Consider yourself lucky if a camera captured your accident. Because of how these cameras move, they may miss incidents happening nearby. If video evidence is available, your lawyer can obtain it by requesting CCTV footage from the corresponding establishment once a case number is assigned to your accident. Let them handle that matter while you take your time recovering.

CCTV Camera Locations in Baltimore

According to this report from WBAL-TV 11, the Baltimore City Department of Transportation has red-light cameras at:

400 to 1000 block East Preston Street
2500 to 3300 block Federal Street
3000 to 3700 block Garrison Street
2800 to 3200 block Loch Ravel Boulevard
2400 to 2800 block North Dukeland Street
4000 to 5100 block The Alameda
2700 to 3400 block West North Avenue
Eastern Avenue eastbound and westbound at Kane Street
Fallsway Southbound at Madison Avenue
Guilford Avenue at Centre Street
Harford Road northbound and southbound at Echodale Avenue
Martin Luther King Boulevard northbound and southbound at Pennsylvania Avenue
Monument Street eastbound at Haven Street
North Calvert Street northbound at East 25th Street
Northern Parkway northbound and southbound at York Road
Perring Parkway northbound and southbound at Woodbourne Avenue
Wilkens Avenue eastbound and westbound at Brunswick Street
York Road northbound and southbound at Woodbourne Avenue

More CCTV cameras were also added via Baltimore County’s Red Light Camera program. Those cameras can be found in the following locations:

Baltimore National Pike westbound at Ingleside Avenue
Bosley Avenue southbound at Allegheny Avenue
Dulaney Valley Road northbound at Seminary Avenue
Goucher Boulevard northbound and southbound at Putty Hill Avenue
Liberty Road eastbound at Washington Avenue
Rossville Boulevard eastbound at Yellow Brick Road
Security Boulevard eastbound at Whitehead Court
Wise Avenue at Church Road eastbound
York Road northbound at Scott Adam Road

Dangerous Intersections in Baltimore

Accidents can happen at any intersection in Baltimore. Still, some intersections have proven to be more dangerous than others. Let’s highlight those dangerous intersections so you can map out travel routes that do not involve them.

Gwynns Falls Parkway at Reisterstown Road

Per this report from Patch.com, the most dangerous intersection in the state of Maryland is Gwynns Falls Parkway at Reisterstown Road. Anyone who regularly uses that interaction can vouch for how dangerous it is.

Congestion is the main reason why Gwynns Falls Parkway at Reisterstown Road is so accident-prone. That intersection is bound to be crowded even outside of rush hour. The sheer number of vehicles passing through there increases the chances of crashes.

Washington Boulevard and Monroe Street

The intersection linking Washington Boulevard and Monroe Street is another trouble spot for Maryland drivers. Similar to Gwynns Falls Parkway at Reisterstown Road, the intersection at Washington Boulevard and Monroe Street is dangerous due to the high volume of traffic.

West Northern Parkway at Falls Road

West Northern Parkway at Falls Road is another accident-prone intersection. Many drivers who use this intersection are confused by the dividing lanes. The chaotic traffic that develops at this intersection causes numerous accidents.

Baltimore Car Accident Attorney

Have any questions? Attorney John Leppler has a wealth of experience handling Baltimore car accident cases. No matter how seemingly minor your concern is, John is here 24/7, ready to offer a free consultation and guide you through this challenging time. Contact us at Leppler Injury Law. Let us help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Intersection Car Accidents