Oklahoma Intersection Car Accident Lawyers
Legal Representation after a Car Crash at an Intersection
When you leave for work in the morning, you probably get out of the house a little earlier to make sure that you beat rush hour traffic and avoid the heavy congestion that can build up at major street intersections. No one wants to deal with a busy intersection with everybody trying to rush to work or wherever else they're headed. Avoiding busy intersections is not just a matter of convenience, however; it's a matter of safety.
Why Do Intersections Have a High Risk of Accidents?
An intersection is defined as a place where two or more roads meet, and it is at these locations that the majority of car accidents occur. With so many cars traveling in multiple directions, it is imperative that all traffic signals, signs, and laws be followed, but many drivers do not, thus endangering the safety of other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Speeding, distracted or inattentive driving, and violations of right-of-way laws are the most common causes of intersection accidents by driver negligence. However, failing to abide by traffic laws is not the only form of negligence that poses an accident risk.
Poor Design
When two or more roads meet to form an intersection, it is the city's responsibility to ensure that that intersection is designed safely and efficiently. If four streets come together in an intersection with regular vehicle traffic but without any traffic signs, signals, or other control devices, that intersection is poorly designed and poses safety risks for all drivers and other road users.
Intersection Accident Statistics
Negligent drivers and poorly designed intersections cause hundreds of thousands of accidents every year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 5,526 fatal intersection accidents in the U.S. in 2009. That same year, there were 409,000 injury intersection crashes.
Most of these crashes were caused by the negligence or recklessness of another driver or the unsafe design of the intersection itself. The only way to reduce the number of intersection accidents is to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions.
Holding At-Fault Parties Liable
It is true that pursuing legal action cannot reverse the devastation that an intersection accident has caused, but it can lead to the compensation you and your family need to have financial security during the recovery process. Whether fault lies with a negligent driver or with the city agency whose negligent maintenance or poor design created unsafe conditions, an experienced attorney can help you hold them responsible for the losses you have suffered as a result of your injuries.
Obtaining Justice for Injured Victims
There is no excuse for neglecting one's responsibility to the safety and wellbeing of others. Attorney Ray Maples has years of experience successfully pursuing compensation for injured victims in Oklahoma and can help you hold the at-fault parties liable for the pain and suffering they have caused you. Call today to learn more about your legal rights and options at (405) 883-4487.
We also have a personal injury intake form that you can fill out.