Omaha Intersection Accident Attorney

Did You Crash at an Intersection in Omaha? We May Be Able to Help

Automobiles are an indispensable part of life in America. Unfortunately, they also pose a risk to fragile humans. Everyday, avoidable accidents occur on Nebraska highways, causing countless injuries and millions of dollars of damage. And a high percentage of accidents occur at intersections.

Fortunately, Nebraska has laws that protect victims of car accidents. If you were injured in an intersection-related crash in Douglas County because of what someone else did, the legal team at Bottlinger Law L.L.C. has the experience and resources to handle your case. Call one of our friendly representatives today at (402) 505-8234 to schedule a free consultation with an Omaha car accident lawyer.

Why Are Intersections Dangerous?

It’s no secret that intersections are especially dangerous. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are about 2.5 million accidents ever year nationwide that occur at intersections. That accounts for nearly 40% of the total number of crashes. Only rear-end collisions are more common, and many of them occur at these crossroads. Moreover, 50% of all accidents that are classified as “serious” take place at intersections.

The deadliest intersections seem to have stop signs. Approximately 33% of all intersection crashes, and over 40% of the crashes that involve fatalities, take place at these intersections. The majority of these crashes involve at least one vehicle failing to yield. At stoplights, vehicles running red lights lead to nearly 800 fatalities every year.

What makes intersections so problematic? Because they bring together traffic from multiple directions, there are more opportunities to collide. Some intersections widen out to allow for turn lanes, but many do not, especially two- and four-way stop-sign intersections. Because vehicles are forced to slow down or stop, intersections become more congested than regular lanes of traffic, making accidents more likely.

In addition, different Nebraska cities will have differently designed intersections, especially when leaving a rural area and entering an urban area. Most intersection accidents involve poorly designed intersections, intersections that aren’t able to safely handle the amount of traffic, and drivers who fail to follow the rules.

What Are the Frequent Causes of Intersection Crashes?

Some of the most serious collisions happen at intersections, many of them resulting from driver error. Common causes of wrecks in intersections include:

• Distracted driving or inattention: Drivers entering an intersection may be involved in a crash because they are distracted by a cell phone, a passenger, eating or drinking, or simply not paying adequate attention.
• Misjudging speed and distance of other vehicles: Drivers turning left or right at an intersection can cause a crash when they misjudge the speed or distance of an approaching vehicle.
• Running red lights: Drivers who are too impatient to stop and wait for the light to turn green can cause serious T-bone crashes when they collide with other vehicles that have the right-of-way.
• Obstructed view: A driver turning left against oncoming traffic may fail to see an oncoming vehicle or motorcycle and pull directly into its path.
• Misinterpreting actions of another driver: Assuming another vehicle is turning when it is actually going straight, or vice versa, can lead to a collision.
• Impaired driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can impair driving ability and lead to mistakes that cause crashes in intersections.
• Failure to yield: Some drivers in a hurry refuse to yield to other motorists, bicyclists, or pedestrians, even when they are required to do so by law.
• Drowsy driving: Sleep-deprived drivers can fall asleep at the wheel or make dangerous driving errors.

What Are the Different Types of Intersection Collisions?

Nearly all types of wrecks can occur at busy intersections. Common intersection crashes include:

• Rear-end collisions: Approaching drivers can hit vehicles stopped at a light or a stop sign, particularly if they are distracted, drowsy, or impaired.
• Head-on collisions: A vehicle that drifts into the lane of oncoming traffic can cause a head-on crash.
• T-bone collisions: This type of wreck occurs when one vehicle slams into another at a 90-degree angle. T-bone crashes happen when drivers run red lights.
• Motorcycle collisions: Many drivers simply fail to register the motorcycle in the roadway. Drivers making left-hand turns may turn directly into the path of an oncoming motorcycle that is proceeding through the intersection on a green light.
• Pedestrian accidents: Drivers turning left or right at an intersection may fail to see a pedestrian in the crosswalk.

What Types of Injuries Are Commonly Sustained in Intersection Wrecks?

Motor vehicle wrecks in intersections can cause a wide range of injuries, some of which may be catastrophic or fatal. Common intersection crash injuries include:

• Whiplash, from the whip-like motion of the head and neck in a collision
• Head trauma and traumatic brain injury
• Neck and back injuries, including herniated discs
• Fractured bones, including the arms, legs, ribs, wrists, and ankles
• Internal organ damage and bleeding
• Lacerations and contusions
• Disfiguring facial injuries
• Spinal cord injury, leading to partial or total paralysis

What Happens If You Get Into an Intersection Accident?

Intersection accidents can be difficult to resolve. They can involve many different scenarios, and it can be challenging for investigators or insurance companies to get the facts straight.

In many instances, more than one party could be partially at fault. For instance, if one driver was speeding through an intersection while another was making an illegal left turn, it would be hard to definitively say one driver caused the collision. Maybe there was a missing or broken street sign that the city should have fixed, but didn’t.

Distracted driving can be especially troubling at intersections, where extra attention is needed on the part of drivers. Whether it’s texting, talking on the phone, reading the screen, trying to play music, or looking at a map, distracted driving is becoming more and more prevalent.

Contact an Omaha Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been in an intersection accident and you think the other driver might have been distracted, you’ll need access to cell phone records and user logs to prove the driver was using a phone. This is just one example of what an Omaha personal injury attorney will look for when advocating on your behalf.

If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, call Bottlinger Law L.L.C. We help victims recover every penny they deserve according to the law. And because we work on a contingency basis, we only get paid if you do. Contact us today at (402) 505-8234 to learn more.

Case Results

• $365,000 Settlement - Disputed Liability Intersection Collision
• $150,000 Settlement - Disputed Liability Bicycle Intersection Collision

Additional Information

• Roads and Intersections to Avoid in Omaha
• Are Roundabouts Safer Than Intersections?
• Intersection Accidents (and How to Avoid Them)
• Roundabout Intersections - Nebraska Department of Transportation