What Makes Intersection Accidents So Complex?
Intersections are where roads—and lives—often collide. Whether it’s a busy urban junction with multiple turning lanes or a rural four-way stop, intersections are among the most dangerous places on the road. According to the Federal Highway Administration, about half of all traffic injuries and a quarter of all fatalities in the U.S. occur at or near intersections. When these accidents happen, the resulting legal claims can quickly become complicated.
At McLemore, Reddell, & Story, P.L.L.C., we’ve represented countless Texans injured in intersection accidents. While these collisions may appear straightforward at first glance, they often involve multiple drivers, conflicting accounts, and complex questions of fault. Understanding why intersection accidents are so complex can help you protect your rights if you’re ever involved in one. Learn more below, and contact our office for practical advice and skilled representation from a team of experienced and successful Houston motor vehicle accident lawyers.
Multiple Parties, Multiple Stories
One of the biggest reasons intersection accidents are complicated is that they often involve more than one driver making simultaneous decisions. A crash at an intersection might include a driver turning left, another going straight, and possibly a third running a red light or failing to yield. Add in pedestrians or cyclists, and the number of parties—and legal issues—increases.
Each party may have a different version of what happened, and these accounts often conflict. Sorting out these narratives requires careful investigation, including witness interviews, video footage (if available), vehicle damage assessments, and review of traffic light data or road design.
In some cases, more than one driver may share responsibility for the crash. Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means that if you are partially at fault for the accident, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you can be barred from recovering anything at all. Determining this allocation of fault is one of the most contentious aspects of any intersection accident claim; having strong, effective representation is critical to the success of your claim.
Right-of-Way Confusion
Another reason intersection accidents are so common—and so complicated—is confusion about right-of-way rules. When two or more drivers enter an intersection at roughly the same time, knowing who had the legal right to proceed can make or break a case.
Common right-of-way issues include:
- Drivers turning left across oncoming traffic
- Vehicles running red lights or stop signs
- Confusion at four-way stops
- Failure to yield to pedestrians or cyclists in crosswalks
- Improper merging during lane changes at intersections
Determining the right-of-way often requires close attention to traffic signals, signage, and the timing of the drivers’ actions. In some cases, accident reconstruction experts are needed to provide clarity on how the crash occurred and who likely violated traffic laws.
Traffic Signal and Sign Malfunctions
Sometimes, the problem isn’t just driver behavior; it’s the intersection itself. Malfunctioning traffic signals, missing stop signs, obscured visibility due to poor design, or even road construction can play a role in causing accidents. These factors can shift liability toward a city, county, or state agency responsible for road maintenance or traffic control.
Claims involving government entities are subject to strict procedural rules and shorter deadlines under the Texas Tort Claims Act. That makes it critical to identify such issues early in the case to preserve your legal rights.
Severe Injuries at Relatively Low Speeds
Intersection crashes often involve angular or side-impact collisions—commonly known as T-bone accidents—which can cause devastating injuries even at lower speeds. Unlike rear-end collisions, where the car’s rear bumper offers some level of protection, T-bone collisions strike the vehicle’s side where the occupants sit and where there’s far less structural defense.
These crashes often result in serious injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal organ damage
- Fractures
- Long-term disability or disfigurement
- Fatalities
When injuries are severe, the stakes of the case go up. You may need compensation not only for immediate medical bills and lost wages but also for long-term care, rehabilitation, and pain and suffering. Insurance companies may fight harder to reduce their payouts, making the need for strong legal representation even more important.
Insurance Disputes and Delays
Intersection accidents often lead to disputes between insurance companies. Each insurer may try to shift blame to the other driver to avoid paying out a claim. These disputes can delay the process and place added stress on injury victims who are trying to recover and move forward with their lives.
In multi-vehicle accidents, it’s also possible that the at-fault driver doesn’t carry enough insurance to fully cover the damage. In that case, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may become involved. Navigating multiple policies and coverage requires legal knowledge and experience.
How McLemore, Reddell, & Story Can Help
Because intersection accidents are so complex, it’s vital to have an experienced legal team on your side. At McLemore, Reddell, & Story, P.L.L.C., we take a thorough, strategic approach to every intersection accident we handle. Our attorneys investigate the crash scene, obtain police and traffic signal data, consult with accident reconstruction experts when necessary, and advocate forcefully with insurance companies and in court.
We know how insurance companies think, and we understand the tactics they use to reduce payouts in cases involving multiple parties or disputed liability. We build strong, evidence-based claims that demonstrate the full extent of our clients’ injuries and the other party’s responsibility.
Speak With a Houston Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you’ve been injured in an intersection accident in Houston or anywhere in Texas, don’t try to work your way through the legal system on your own. You need a legal representative who understands the complexities of these cases and knows how to fight for full and fair compensation.
Contact McLemore, Reddell, & Story, P.L.L.C., today for a free consultation. Let our experienced trial lawyers help you hold the right parties accountable and get the justice you deserve.
