Road intersections are complicated as it involves motorists and pedestrians changing directions and speeds. Consequently, intersection accidents are likely to occur. When they do, it can be deadly and chaotic.
In Los Angeles, intersection accidents are common as the place contained some of the busiest intersections in America.
The Los Angeles County Department of Work has compiled a list of the busiest intersections in Southern California alone. The list includes the following:
• Wilshire Blvd. and Santa Monica Blvd.
• Venice Blvd., Robertson Blvd. and National Blvd.
• Figueroa Street and Ninth Street
• Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Avenue
• Sunset Blvd. and Highland Avenue
• Imperial Highway and Sepulveda Blvd.
• Wilshire Blvd. and La Cienega Blvd.
• Sepulveda Blvd. and Ventura Blvd.
• Santa Monica Blvd. and Sepulveda Blvd.
• Wilshire Blvd. and Westwood Blvd.
The fact is about one third of car collisions happen in traffic intersections. In most cases, these accidents involve multiple cars and parties. Further, an intersection accident can trigger other accidents like pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents and truck accidents.
For instance during the 2008 Memorial Day Holiday, five people have died and 16 others have been injured in a multiple crash involving six vehicles at the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and Florence Avenue in the Hyde Park area of Los Angeles.
Causes of Intersection Collisions
Driver error often causes the most road crashes. Usually, driver’s inattention to the road results to collisions. Consequently, pedestrian accident happens due to driver’s inattention to a sign or for simply being negligent per se.
Moreover, a driver may also be under the influence of drugs or alcohol which may result to driving impairment. When a driver is under this state, devastating outcome may be expected.
Speeding or running a red light may also cause accidents.
In addition to driver’s behavior, intersection accidents may also be caused by other factors such as weather conditions, poor road structures and damaged or defective signal lights.
Indirectly, intersection accidents lead to monetary burden. On the victim’s end, expenses such as hospital costs, rehabilitation expenses and medicine expenditures have to be endured. This condition may be prevented with the help of a personal injury attorney.
