Top 4 Causes of Car Crashes in Chicago Intersections

 Posted on June 15, 2022 in Car Accidents

A large percentage of car accidents happen at intersections. At an intersection, drivers are required to take turns using a common driving space to cross the intersection. There is plenty of opportunity for mishaps when multiple vehicles going in all different directions must share space. T-bone accidents and rear-end collisions are both very common around intersections. Some intersections are naturally more dangerous than others. Every city has at least one dreaded “malfunction junction,” and Chicago is certainly no exception. Dangerous intersections like those involving more than two intersecting roads, or multiple lanes controlled by a stop sign can become confusing and increase the odds of a crash. However, nothing plays a bigger role in intersection accidents than negligent drivers. If you were injured in a car accident, we may be able to help you recover compensation.

What Negligent Driving Habits Lead to Crashes at Intersections?

Drivers are responsible for taking reasonable care to avoid accidents. It is particularly important for drivers to use caution when faced with an intersection. Careless behaviors that may lead to crashes include:

• Navigation struggles - Everyone has gotten lost at some point. GPS systems are not perfect. However, the middle of an intersection is not the place to go to battle with your navigation system. Drivers who have become turned around should follow their lane until it is safe to pull over rather than rapidly forcing their way into a different lane or making an abrupt turn.
• Distraction - Drivers who are texting, emailing, or fighting with their GPS may not notice cars ahead of them stopping for a red light or stop sign. This can cause rear-end collisions. However, if the driver fails to notice an upcoming intersection due to their distraction, they may fail to stop entirely.
• No signals - Good communication with other drivers is key. At intersections, this means that drivers must signal their intention. Other drivers may rely on a vehicle’s lack of turn signals and assume they are going straight when they are in fact turning.
• Road rage - It can be very frustrating to deal with a driver who is not respecting the rules of the road. Some drivers have a bad habit of waiting too long to merge into the lane they need to be in and cutting others off. It is unsurprising that intersections, especially heavily trafficked intersections, tend to see a lot of crashes related to road rage.

If you were hit by a careless driver at an intersection, it is important to speak with an attorney before speaking to an insurance company.

Call an Illinois Car Accident Attorney

Salvi & Maher, LLP is skilled at investigating car accidents and holding the responsible party financially liable for the harm they caused. If you were injured in a car accident, our Lake County car accident lawyers can step in and handle your claim so that you can focus on your personal healing. Call us at 847-662-3303 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://highways.dot.gov/research/research-programs/safety/intersection-safety