Intersection Accident Attorney in Indianapolis, IN

head-on collision in an intersection of Indianapolis, IN

Intersections bring together multiple lanes of traffic and vehicles moving in opposing directions, and they are the scene of many accidents. When a driver speeds through a changing traffic light or fails to yield to another motorist who has the right of way, a serious accident can occur.

If you have been injured in an accident at an Indianapolis intersection due to another driver’s negligence, you may have a right to claim compensation. The intersection accident lawyers at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC are here to help people harmed by the negligence of others.

Contact us at (800) 746-0226, chat with us live, or fill out a contact form to schedule a free consultation.

How Do Accidents at Intersections Occur?

Intersections are one of the most complicated traffic situations that people encounter on a regular basis. At any given moment, there may be cars, trucks, bicyclists, and pedestrians all moving in different directions. There are a variety of traffic control systems, such as directional signs and lights.

When a careless driver speeds through an intersection, changes lanes improperly, or fails to obey traffic lights or signs, the driver’s disregard for traffic safety increases the risk of an accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 40% of all vehicle accidents occur at intersections.

The contributing factors to intersection-related crashes include:

  1. Inadequate Surveillance (44% of intersection crashes)
  2. False Assumption of Other’s Actions (8% of intersection crashes)
  3. Turned with an obstructed view (8% of intersection crashes)
  4. Illegal Maneuver (7% of intersection crashes)
  5. Internal Distraction (6% of intersection crashes)

The report says that 96% of intersection crashes were attributed to driver errors, which means they were completely preventable.

Who Is at Fault in an Intersection Accident?

It may be difficult to immediately tell who is at fault in an intersection accident. Sometimes both drivers are partially at fault. The period of time after an accident can be stressful. Both drivers may be disoriented and confused about the sequence of events. If either driver was knocked unconscious or suffered severe injuries, he or she may not have any idea what happened.

An investigation by law enforcement officers seeks to determine how an intersection accident occurred and whether a driver acted negligently. Everyone who drives has a responsibility to obey traffic laws and use good judgment to keep themselves and other road users safe. Any breach of this duty is considered negligence.

The police who arrived at the scene of the accident should fill out an accident report. This can include information such as a diagram of what may have happened, documentation of any citations written, information from witnesses, and an initial determination of who was at fault.

A police report is helpful because it may mention any traffic laws that were broken, which is an indication of negligence. However, it is important to remember that a police report is not conclusive. Since the police officer was most likely not present at the time of the intersection accident, the officer must base his or her opinion on the accounts provided by the drivers and witnesses and evidence gathered at the accident scene.

If possible, it is a good idea to take photos at the scene of the accident showing the wrecked car from several angles. If your pictures don’t provide enough information, it may be helpful to return to where the accident took place to take additional pictures.

It is useful to document things like intersection lane markings, traffic signals and signs, and crosswalks that may show who was at fault. It can be difficult to know what is important to document. Fortunately, our experienced intersection accident lawyers at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC have access to accident reconstruction specialists that know what to look for and can determine how an intersection accident unfolded.

“No Doubt” Liability in Indiana

Many intersection accidents are side-impact collisions with two vehicles traveling in perpendicular directions colliding.

Two other common types of intersection accidents are rear-ended collisions and left-turn accidents.

In the case of a rear-end collision, it is usually the fault of the driver who hit another vehicle from behind. It is every driver’s responsibility to maintain a safe speed and allow enough car lengths between their vehicle and the car in front to be able to stop when the vehicles ahead slow or stop suddenly.

In left-turn accidents, one driver is turning while the other motorist is crossing the intersection. The driver turning left may misjudge the speed of the approaching vehicle or fail to see the other vehicle and turn in front of it, causing a collision.

If you have been involved in a rear-end collision or a crossing collision in Indiana and you suspect the other driver caused the crash, an attorney at Craig, Kelley & Faultless can investigate the situation and work to see that the liable party is held responsible.

Multiple Parties at Fault

In some accidents, more than one driver or another party may be partly at fault.

If the intersection accident was caused by a vehicle malfunction that was beyond the driver’s control, the vehicle manufacturer or component manufacturer could be liable. If there was a known problem with the car and the driver neglected to fix it, that driver may be at fault for failing to perform maintenance on the vehicle to prevent it from malfunctioning.

Intersection accidents can be complex. It may be impossible to determine fault simply by looking at the events at the time of the accident. You need our team of experienced intersection crash attorneys to work with an accident reconstruction team to determine how the accident happened.

At Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, we will use our resources to analyze your accident, gather evidence of negligence and demand that the at-fault party pay full compensation for your injuries.

Dangerous Intersections in Indianapolis

In a recent year, there were 10,650 accidents in intersections throughout Marion County, 24 of which were fatal.

Here is a list of the Indianapolis intersections with the most accidents compiled by Indiana University.

  1. 21st St & Shadeland (31 accidents)
  2. Madison & Stop 11 Rd (25 accidents)
  3. 38th & Franklin Rd (24 accidents)
  4. 86th & Keystone Ave (24 accidents)
  5. 38th & High School Rd (23 accidents)
  6. Emerson & Stop 11 Rd (23 accidents)

Our attorneys have represented people who were seriously injured in crashes at dangerous intersections. We know how devastating these accidents can be. Our attorneys understand the traffic laws specific to Indianapolis. We will use this knowledge to help you get the compensation you are owed.

Injuries in Accidents at Intersections

Side-impact accidents, or T-Bone collisions, can cause significant injuries since the driver or passenger has little protection when the vehicle is hit on the side. Head-on collisions and rear-end collisions also commonly occur at intersections. In addition, pedestrians and bicyclists are also vulnerable at intersections and can sustain similar injuries to vehicle occupants.

Some of the common injuries after intersection accidents are:

Some people will make a full recovery from their injuries, while others will suffer long-lasting pain or disability due to their injuries. Being involved in a car accident is a traumatic experience. Many people also suffer from anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress after the accident. If you have been injured in an intersection accident due to another driver’s negligence, you may have a right to seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and loss of future earning potential. An attorney can help you seek compensation through a civil case.

If your family member was killed in an intersection accident, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. The sudden loss of a loved one can be devastating, and no amount of money will replace your lost loved one. But you should not have to endure financial stress because of another driver’s careless behavior. A wrongful death lawsuit may allow you to seek compensation for funeral and burial costs and the loss of household support that your loved one previously provided.

How Our Indianapolis Intersection Accident Lawyers Can Help

The attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC have been serving the people of Indianapolis since 1999. We have been named among the Best Law Firms of 2021 by U.S. News, and we have received the Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Rating as well as the Litigator Award, among other accomplishments.

We know that dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is stressful. At a time when you are dealing with pain and trying to get back to a normal life, you should not have to spend time dealing with insurance companies and figuring out complicated legal matters.

If you allow our team to help, we promise that we will go the extra mile to help you fight for the full compensation you are owed. We are committed to holding negligent drivers responsible for their actions and protecting the rights of accident victims. Contact our attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless today at 888-937-3862 to schedule a free consultation.