At the Intersection of Driver Negligence and Serious Injuries

Accidents are common at intersections because that’s where vehicles conflict. Famed criminal Willie Sutton was asked why he robbed banks. He replied that’s where the money was. Why are there so many accidents at intersections? Because that’s where vehicles are. You can get into a vehicle accident by yourself with no one around, but the chances are much higher it’ll happen where other cars and trucks are.

If someone else’s negligence causes injuries to you or a loved one in a car accident, Satterley & Kelley, PLLC attorneys can help you take legal action. Schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your situation by calling our Louisville office at 855-385-9532.

Accidents at Kentucky Intersections Constantly Happen

They range from minor fender benders to crashes causing multiple deaths. Just a few recent ones include the following:

• Two people riding a motorcycle were killed after a collision with another vehicle at the intersection of Berea Road and Center Drive in Richmond on August 14, reports WKYT
• A 59-year-old man was killed in a vehicle accident on June 30 at an intersection where fatal accidents are common, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, reports Fox 56. A Chevrolet car passed another vehicle on Highway 90 before colliding with an eastbound Toyota pickup truck with two adults and two children inside. The 59-year-old Chevrolet driver died at the scene. The four Toyota occupants were taken to hospitals, two of them by helicopters
• An April accident in Walton at the intersection of US 42 and Beaver Road left two women dead and another critically injured, according to WCPO. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office stated a Chevrolet heading eastbound on Beaver Road stopped at the intersection. It was taking a left turn when it was struck by a dump truck going north on US 42. The truck then hit several parked cars before coming to a stop inside a restaurant. Two Chevrolet passengers were killed, and the driver was taken to a hospital. The Sheriff’s Office later reported there had been 24 accidents at that intersection in the last five years. Fourteen of them resulted in injuries, and two caused fatalities

The Federal Highway Administration states that 12,036 of the 42,514 traffic fatalities that occurred in 2022 involved intersections.

Why are Intersections So Dangerous?

Each accident is unique, but intersection characteristics could make specific causes more likely.

• Drivers leaving a nearby highway may be more likely to speed
• A poorly designed intersection may have poor sight lines, so it may be difficult for a driver to see oncoming traffic
• Drunk drivers may be more likely to be at an intersection near restaurants or bars that serve alcohol

Drivers’ negligence can be on full display at a busy intersection, including the following:

• Drivers may cut off oncoming traffic when taking left turns, or not stop for pedestrians or vehicles with the right of way
• Impatient or distracted drivers may not check cross traffic or blind spots before proceeding
• Stop signs and red lights could be ignored intentionally or by mistake
• Drivers can underestimate how fast oncoming traffic approaches or overestimate a gap in traffic
• Distractions take the driver’s focus from the intersection and other traffic, making an accident more likely. The driver may be focused on a smartphone, a GPS, or having a conversation with a passenger. It can only take a second of distraction at an intersection to cause an accident while cars are stopping, accelerating, or turning in different directions
• Aggressive, intoxicated, or impaired driving can result in drivers accelerating into an intersection before a light turns red, or they may ignore the fact that the stop light turned red before driving through it. A driver tailgating a vehicle may rear-end it if it suddenly stops due to other traffic, a stop sign, or a light

The problem may not just be the other driver. Negligent intersection design or maintenance can cause accidents, including the following:

• The layout may be confusing, the signage could be incomplete, and the markings faded and difficult to see
• It may be difficult to stop at an intersection that doesn’t properly drain accumulated water
• A lack of dedicated turn lanes can make navigation less safe
• Stop signs instead of traffic signals at busy intersections increase accident risk
• Lighting may be poor, which, when combined with bad weather, can reduce visibility and make accidents more likely

Local officials can not only be negligent by creating a dangerous intersection, but they can also be at fault because they fail to make improvements after problems become apparent.

Speak To a Satterley & Kelley, PLLC Vehicle Accident Injury Lawyer Today

If you’re injured in an accident at an intersection, Satterley & Kelley PLLC lawyers can protect your rights to compensation for your losses and injuries. Call us at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation.