Florida has its share of dangerous intersections. With so many hazardous intersections, accidents are commonplace and can cause serious injuries. If you have been injured at a dangerous intersection in Fort Lauderdale, FL, contact Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers at (954) 476-1000. An injury lawyer for accidents caused by a dangerous intersection in Fort Lauderdale help understand your rights and get the compensation you are owed.
Why Intersections Are Dangerous
Intersections can be dangerous for multiple reasons. Higher numbers of not only vehicles but also motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists mean that there is a greater risk for collisions. With Florida’s high population, intersections bring large volumes of traffic together, simply increasing the chances of a crash.
Some common factors that contribute to dangerous intersections can include the following:
- Inadequate or absent lighting
- Uneven or discontinuous sidewalks or walkways
- Jaywalkers
- Bicycle lanes discontinuing
- Distracted drivers
- Speeding
- Lack of signage or poor signage
- Confusing or complicated traffic signs or signals
- Failure to survey before turning
Common Types of Accidents at Dangerous Intersections
The following are several common circumstances under which accidents caused by a dangerous intersection in Fort Lauderdale, FL can occur.
Left Turns
A driver that is turning left typically must yield to other drivers. This means that legally they must allow all oncoming traffic to pass by them before they can complete their left turn. While they are allowed to pull into the intersection as the first car in the line, they must wait until all of the cars pass until they actually make their left turn.
Rushed left turns are a common cause of accidents in intersections. Failing to signal, misjudging the speed of oncoming cars, turning too quickly, and losing control are all reasons that drivers cause accidents making left turns at intersections.
Failing to Stop Before Making a Right Turn on Red
You are often able to make a right turn on red. However, many drivers fail to come to a complete and full stop before making their right turn on red.
Many drivers also fail to signal that they are turning right in an intersection. This may not allow other drivers the time to stop and avoid a rear-end collision.
Four-Way Stops
Four-way stops are easily understood with practice and experience. Many drivers, however, are unfamiliar with the rules that go along with the four-way stop and are unsure when to actually proceed into the intersection.
These types of intersections can be dangerous because people are unfamiliar with the order in which they should go through the intersection.
Stop Signs
A simple stop sign at an intersection can cause serious and severe car accidents when not heeded by a driver. Stop signs always require a driver to make a full and complete stop. However, many drivers make what is considered a “rolling” stop, which is just to slow down and then proceed through the intersection.
Holding the Other Driver Liable
To recover compensation, an injury lawyer for accidents caused by a dangerous intersection in Fort Lauderdale, FL must prove the other driver was negligent. This requires establishing that the other driver owed you a duty of care, they failed to uphold that duty, that failure caused the accident and your injuries, and you suffered damages.
For example, you are proceeding straight through an intersection when a car turns left in front of you. You T-bone the side of the vehicle and suffer a traumatic brain injury. In this case, you had the right of way. The other driver failed to yield which is an act of negligence.
To establish negligence, we might gather any of the following types of evidence:
- Red light camera footage
- Eyewitness testimony
- Photos and video of the accident
- The police report
Compensation for Injured Victims
If you have been injured in a car accident at a dangerous intersection, we can help you determine if you have the right to file a claim for your personal injuries against the person at-fault for the accident. An injury lawyer for accidents caused by a dangerous intersection in Fort Lauderdale, FL may be able to help you receive compensation for any medical bills, lost wages, mental anguish and/or physical pain.
Statute of Limitations
The state of Florida has established statutes of limitations that personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of the car accident. However, if the accident resulted in the death of the victim, then the legal claim can be filed two years after the victim’s death.
If you fail to file within this time, you will be unable to recover compensation.
Contact an Injury Lawyer for Accidents Caused by a Dangerous Intersection
If you or a loved one was the victim of a car accident at a dangerous intersection in Fort Lauderdale, FL, contact an injury lawyer as soon as possible. Understanding your legal rights in your specific and unique case can help you decide how to move forward with your personal injury claim. The legal team at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers at (954) 476-1000 can help you with your case against those responsible for causing your injuries.
References:
- Study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported in Time Magazine and Market Watch
- Florida Red Light Statute Chapter 316
- Florida 316.183
- Statute of Limitations