Senior Partner
According to the Federal Highway Administration, approximately one-half of all traffic injuries and one-quarter of traffic fatalities are attributed to intersections. If you or someone you love has been involved in an intersection automobile accident, you could be facing significant medical bills, lost time from work, and extensive recovery time. You shouldn’t have to bear these losses alone if someone else was responsible for causing your accident. That’s why you can count on the Queens intersection crash attorneys of Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C.
Why do intersection accidents happen?
Automobile accident victims bear the burden of demonstrating that the at-fault party is legally liable for his or her injuries. So if you’ve been in an intersection crash, you need to understand some of the most common reasons these wrecks occur. Among them are:
Running a red light or stop sign. Every motorist is responsible for obeying traffic laws, including coming to a full stop at red lights and stop signs. A “rolling stop” is not a stop, and can lead to a serious collision.
Speeding. Anyone who has driven long enough knows that while yellow traffic lights mean slow down, some drivers do the opposite and speed up to beat the red light. Speeding is not only illegal in and of itself, but can result in running a red light and causing a crash.
Failure to yield. This is especially problematic at four-way intersections. There are rules every driver is expected to know about who has to yield to whom. When two drivers enter the intersection at once because somebody failed to yield, there could be catastrophic results.
Distracted driving. Anything that takes a driver’s focus off of safely operating the motor vehicle can be considered distracted driving. Cell phone use, talking to passengers, and eating or drinking are common examples. A distracted driver could easily run a red light or stop sign and get into an accident.
Driving under the influence. Alcohol and drugs (both prescription and illegal) reduce a driver’s reaction time and can have lethal consequences for other motorists. Not only can a drunk or intoxicated driver be criminally charged, but the person can be held liable for causing injury or death to others.
Rear-end collisions. Some intersection accidents happen because a driver realizes too late that he or she is approaching a red light or stop sign. Rear-end collisions are potentially serious and can cause whiplash, herniated discs, and neck, spine, and back injuries.
How an attorney can help
Intersection accident victims could suffer a number of losses, including:
- Past, present, and future medical bills and prescription medication costs
- Lost income due to time spent recovering
- Lost income potential due to inability to return to a previous career
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Eligible survivors can also seek wrongful death damages if the victim dies from his or her injuries. But it’s important to have an attorney assist with your accident case. You may hear from insurance companies and lawyers representing the at-fault party. These communications should not be done without the assistance of counsel. Your lawyer will help negotiate a settlement, if possible, while you focus on recovery.
If the insurance companies and lawyers will not negotiate fairly, our legal team is prepared to take your case to court. We know the relevant personal injury laws and have a network of trusted expert witnesses who can bolster your claim for the maximum damages allowed under the law.
Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. Is Ready To Serve You And Your Family
Don’t let another party’s negligent actions put your health, finances, and well-being at risk. Our experienced, dedicated attorneys have handled countless intersection accident lawsuits and we know what it takes to build a winning case. Call Miller, Montiel, & Strano, P.C. today to get started.
