Traffic lights and other intersections are common locations for car crashes in New York and New Jersey. Intersection accidents are likely to cause severe injuries because they often involve high speeds and impacts to parts of a car with little occupant protection, such as a vehicle’s side. In turn, more severe injuries mean more expensive medical bills for victims, more time away from work, and a higher chance of permanent disabilities.
The New York and New Jersey intersection accident attorneys at Nagel Rice LLP have decades of experience helping people recover fair compensation for their injuries. Over our firm’s 40-year history, we’ve recovered over $1 billion in verdicts and insurance settlements. We know a severe accident can impact all areas of your life, and our team can provide the comprehensive legal support you need to secure a fair settlement. You don’t owe us any fees unless you recover compensation. Contact us now for a free initial consultation.
Common Causes of Intersection Accidents
Some common reasons why intersection accidents in New York and New Jersey occur include:
- Running Red Lights or Stop Signs – Drivers who run red lights or stop signs can collide with cars already moving through an intersection, leading to T-bone crashes and other accidents. Alternatively, drivers who run stop signs or red lights are sometimes struck on the side by traffic coming toward them from a different direction.
- Speeding – Speeding drivers might not notice traffic lights or stop signs, or they might not have room to stop in time. In either case, their actions make them more likely to collide with cars moving through an intersection.
- Failure to Yield – Following right-of-way laws is crucial to minimizing intersection accidents, as these rules exist to determine who should proceed through an intersection in a given situation. For instance, a driver who arrives at a four-way stop after another car but proceeds to cross the intersection anyway might hit the other vehicle.
- Distracted Driving – Drivers who are talking on the phone, texting, eating, adjusting their music, or otherwise distracted might not notice they’ve reached an intersection and collide with traffic passing in front of them.
- Improper Turns – Drivers who make unsafe left turns can collide with cars coming toward them if they don’t have enough room to make the turn safely. Similarly, drivers who don’t check for oncoming traffic before making right turns can collide with cars coming toward them.
- Poor Visibility – Darkness, rain, fog, and other visibility hazards can make it hard for drivers to see other vehicles at an intersection, increasing the chances of a collision.
- Following Too Closely – Drivers who tailgate may collide with other cars in front of them at an intersection if the car in front stops suddenly.
- Driving Under the Influence – Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs have delayed reaction times and impaired judgment, making it harder for them to recognize potential hazards at an intersection and follow right-of-way laws.
Who’s Liable for an Intersection Accident?
The driver who’s liable for an intersection accident is the one who violated New York or New Jersey’s right-of-way laws. For example, a driver who runs a red light is usually liable for a crash, even if another car struck them. Some evidence that can help you identify the liable party includes:
- Traffic camera footage – Footage from traffic cameras can show whether a driver entered the intersection when they weren’t supposed to, putting them and others in danger.
- Eyewitness accounts – An eyewitness may have seen that the driver was distracted, impaired, or otherwise negligent when the crash happened.
- Photos and video of the accident scene – Photos and video can show the relative positions of all the vehicles in a crash, which can help demonstrate how the crash happened and who bears the blame.
- Phone records – Call logs or text message records can indicate whether a driver was using their phone when the crash happened, demonstrating that they were distracted and, therefore, likely liable for the accident.
- Expert testimony – Accident reconstruction specialists can examine the available evidence to create a precise timeline of the crash, illustrating what each driver did and who is liable for the collision.
Potential Compensation for an Intersection Accident
Both New York and New Jersey have no-fault insurance laws, so you’ll likely file a claim with your insurance company first to recover compensation after a collision. However, if you suffered severe injuries, you can step outside the no-fault system. Because intersection accidents often have catastrophic consequences for those involved, it’s vital to work with a lawyer who can help you seek maximum compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. With help from an intersection accident attorney, your compensation could include money for:
- Lost income while you heal from the crash
- Reduced future earning potential due to an injury or disability
- Current and future medical expenses related to your injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- The cost to repair or replace your damaged personal property
Deadline to File an Intersection Accident Lawsuit
How much time you have to file an intersection accident lawsuit depends on where the accident happened. In New York, the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is three years from the accident date. New Jersey law gives you two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. Regardless of where the crash occurred, talking to a lawyer as soon as possible gives you a better chance of recovering full compensation for your losses.
How Our New Jersey & New York Intersection Accident Attorneys Can Help
The intersection accident lawyers at Nagel Rice LLP can handle all the legal work in your case, letting you focus on your recovery. We’ll investigate the accident to determine the identity of the liable party, use your medical records and other evidence to fully document your injuries, handle all the insurance settlement negotiations, and defend your rights in court if necessary. We’re ready to meet you and discuss your case at your convenience. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation about how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Nagel Rice LLP helps its clients throughout New Jersey, including Roseland, Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, Passaic County, and Sussex County. We also represent clients in New York throughout Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.