Intersection accidents are complex. With traffic moving in multiple directions, pedestrian crossings and various signals managing the flow, determining fault can be challenging. If you’ve been in an intersection accident and need to prove the other driver was at fault, understanding the process and collecting the right evidence can significantly strengthen your case.
Common causes of intersection accidents
Many intersection accidents stem from common behaviors. Often, a driver fails to yield the right of way, leading to a collision—this is common in left turns or when a driver neglects to yield to pedestrians.
Running a red light or stop sign is another frequent cause. Drivers who ignore these signals endanger everyone in the intersection. Lane misuse, like sudden lane changes or using the wrong lane for turns, can also result in accidents.
Finally, distracted or reckless driving—including using a phone, speeding or driving aggressively—is often a culprit in collisions.
Collecting and preserving evidence
Collecting evidence at the scene can be invaluable for your claim. Photos and videos are particularly helpful: they can capture the accident’s context, vehicle positions, skid marks and any visible damage. It’s also wise to document nearby traffic signs, signals and road markings, as these may help demonstrate how the collision happened.
If there are witnesses, gather their contact information and ask them to share what they observed. Similarly, a police report is a key piece of evidence. Calling the police to the accident scene ensures that an official record is created. The report will typically detail the accident specifics and witness statements. In some cases, the officer may share their opinion on who was at fault. Many insurance companies consider the police report essential, and courts often rely on it as a significant piece of evidence.
Some intersections have traffic cameras that capture footage of vehicles entering, exiting and moving through the intersection. This footage can provide an unbiased view of the moments leading up to the accident, showing exactly what happened. Your attorney can often help with the necessary paperwork to find and secure the footage.
Finally, accident reconstruction can help determine which parties were at fault. For example, the damage patterns on the vehicles can reveal a lot about how the accident happened. In more complex cases, accident reconstruction experts can analyze evidence such as skid marks, vehicle positions and damage patterns.
If you’ve been injured in an intersection accident, having an experienced attorney by your side is key. Contact The Law Offices of Tim Misny today to learn more about your claim, and how we can help prove fault for in an intersection accident.
Consult a Columbus accident attorney today
The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you with your accident claim. When you’re the victim of negligence or recklessness, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (877) 614-9524 so that I can evaluate your case right away.
