Intersection Collisions

One of the most common places for a car accident to happen is at an intersection, especially one that has traffic signals. According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, there were more than 2.3 million intersection related car crashes in 2008. This resulted in more than 733,000 injuries and more than 7,770 fatalities. These statistics show the horrible affects of such a collision. Many people do not believe that a car crash at an intersection can produce serious injuries, but they are mistaken. Injuries sustained from such a car crash can have life changing results. Injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to neck and back injuries, spinal cord damage, brain damage, broken bones, amputations, and even death. It is important to have an experienced Louisiana car accident attorney on your side to get the compensation each victim is entitled to.

One of the major causes of an intersection crash is a driver who runs a red light and plows into an innocent victim. The Fatality Analysis Reporting System reports that red light running crashes alone caused 762 deaths in 2008. More than 165,000 people are injured every year by red light runners. Here are some statistics that will make a driver wait before they run the next red light:

1. Someone runs a red light an average of every 20 minutes at urban intersection.
2. In the last decade, red-light running crashes killed nearly 9,000 people
3. Nearly 93% of drivers believe running a red light is unacceptable, yet 1 in 3 drivers reported doing so in the past 30 days.
4. There are an average of 7 fatal crashes and over 1,000 injury crashes every day at signalized intersections across the United States.

Louisiana has provided many laws concerning traffic signals and the way vehicles are supposed to react to certain circumstances. Even though there are plenty of laws controlling intersections there is still a substantial amount of careless drivers who do not pay attention. Here are a number of laws pertaining to motor vehicles at intersections from Section 32 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes.

• Vehicle approaching or Entering Intersection - When two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left, shall yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right.
• Vehicle Turning Left at Intersection - The driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield the right of way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.
• Stop Signs - Every driver and operator of a vehicle approaching a stop intersection indicated by a stop sign shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection. After having stopped, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles which have entered the intersection from another highway or which are approaching so closely on said highway as to constitute an immediate hazard.
• Four Way Stop Sign - At a four-way stop intersection, the driver of the first vehicle to stop at the intersection shall be the first to proceed. If two or more vehicles reach the four-way stop intersection at the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
• Yield Sign - The driver or operator of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions, or shall stop if necessary, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk, at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway. Having slowed or stopped in this manner, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian legally crossing the roadway on which he is driving, and to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard.
• Vehicle Entering Highway from Private Road - The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a highway from a private road, driveway, alley or building, shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving onto a sidewalk or onto the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway or driveway, and shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian as may be necessary to avoid collision, and shall yield the right of way to all approaching vehicles so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
• Vehicle approaching intersection in which traffic lights are inoperative - Unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, when a traffic control signal is not functioning at an intersection, and the signal lights are completely dark, the intersection shall revert to an all-way stop.
• Flashing Red Signal at Intersection - When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at an intersection or at a limit line when marked, or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
• Flashing Yellow Signal at Intersection - When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through or past such signal only with caution.
• Require Position and Method of Turning at Intersections
• Right turns - Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
• Left turns on two-way roadways - At any intersection where traffic is permitted to move in both directions on each roadway entering the intersection, an approach for a left turn shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the center line thereof and by passing to the right of such center line where it enters the intersection and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection to the right of the center line of the roadway being entered. Whenever practicable the left turn shall be made in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection.
• Left turns on other than two-way roadways - At any intersection where traffic is restricted to one direction on one or more of the roadways, the driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at any such intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection in the safest lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction upon the roadway being entered.

These laws and countless other ones come into play when the judge or jury is trying to assess fault in a car accident case. The Cardone Law Firm has the necessary resources to sift through the countless number of laws to find the one that applies in your case. Mr. Cardone has been described as the go to attorney in Louisiana for car accidents because of the close to 40 years of experience he has.

The Cardone Law Firm represents clients in auto accidents in the entire state of Louisiana including Ascension Parish, Donaldsonville, Assumption Parish, Napoleonville, Baton Rouge, Jefferson Parish, Estelle, Gretna, Harvey, Kenner, Marrero, Metairie, New Orleans, Terrytown, Westwego, Lafayette Parish, Lafourche Parish, Thibodaux, Livingston Parish, Orleans Parish, Plaquemines Parish, Belle Chasse, and St. Charles Parish.

Because an auto accident can create multiple issues and significant needs, an injured party should hire an experienced New Orleans attorney who not only handles car accidents for injured parties, but also has the resources necessary to provide for an injured person’s medical needs as well as the hiring of experts from a variety of fields in order to increase the value of the case. Cliff Cardone has practiced law nearly 40 years and has primarily handled personal-injury matters. If you have been injured in an auto accident, Phone Cardone at 504-522-3333 for a free in person consultation. He is direct, insightful, proactive, and passionate about his client’s cases.