When a car accident occurs at an intersection, the aftermath can be overwhelming. Intersection crashes often result in serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment. At Rhoads & Rhoads, our experienced car accident lawyer team helps Kentucky residents recover compensation for their injuries and losses.

Our Kentucky car accident injury lawyers have extensive experience handling motor vehicle accidents at intersections. We know dealing with injuries, medical bills, and insurance companies creates financial stress. That’s why we offer a free consultation to discuss your case without any upfront cost. Call 888-709-9329 to schedule your free consultation today.

What Is and What Causes Intersection Accidents

Intersection crashes are common motor vehicle accidents in Kentucky. These collisions occur when vehicles crash at intersections controlled by traffic lights, stop signs or yield signs. Intersection collisions account for a significant percentage of all car accident cases in our state.

Driver negligence is the primary cause of intersection crashes. Distracted driving has become increasingly problematic, as drivers focus on phones instead of paying attention to traffic conditions and obeying traffic laws. When drivers fail to notice traffic lights or ignore road signals, devastating accidents occur.

Common causes include failing to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic, running red lights, rolling through stop signs, speeding, impaired driving, poor visibility, and mechanical failures. Understanding what caused your accident is crucial for building a strong personal injury claim. Our experienced attorney team will thoroughly investigate your car accident to determine liability.

Dangerous Intersections in Kentucky

More than half of all fatal and injury-related vehicle crashes occur at or near intersections, per the Federal Highway Administration. In 2014, Kentucky recorded 32,278 intersection crashes, resulting in 100 fatalities. In response, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KTC) is improving intersection safety across the state through the Highway Safety Improvement Program, including two sites in Owensboro.

At U.S. 431/Frederica Street and Salem/Goetz Drive, medians are being reconstructed to offset left-turn lanes and improve visibility. Turn lanes are being extended, a new northbound right-turn lane added, and signal modifications will follow. Goetz Drive will feature dual left-turn lanes, and Salem Drive will be widened for a right-turn lane.

At KY 2831/Frederica Street and KY 81/Parrish Avenue, pavement markings will be revised to create offset left-turn lanes, with signal updates and repaving to follow.

Drivers and pedestrians should stay alert for construction activity and changing traffic patterns during the upgrades.

Common Types of Accidents at Intersections in Kentucky

Intersection crashes take many forms, each presenting unique challenges for victims seeking to recover compensation. Understanding the type of accident helps our lawyers develop effective strategies.

T-Bone or Side-Impact Collisions

T-bone accidents occur when one vehicle strikes another vehicle’s side, often when a driver fails to yield right of way. These crashes frequently result in devastating injuries because the side of a car provides less protection. Victims usually suffer traumatic brain injuries and broken bones, requiring extensive medical care.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on crashes can occur when drivers make improper left turns. These accidents typically result in the most catastrophic injuries and sometimes lead to wrongful death cases. The force when two vehicles crash head-on often causes multiple serious injuries requiring long-term medical treatment.

Rear-End Accidents

Rear-end collisions happen when drivers don’t stop in time for red lights or road signals. While seemingly less severe, they can cause significant injuries, particularly neck and back injuries. Distracted drivers ignoring traffic signals are often responsible.

Multi-Vehicle Pileups

Complex intersection crashes involving multiple vehicles create challenging scenarios for determining fault. These crashes often occur during poor weather or when one accident triggers a chain reaction. Multi-vehicle accidents involve numerous insurance companies and require experienced legal representation.

Regardless of how your intersection crash occurred, our car accident attorney team is prepared to investigate thoroughly and fight for your rights. We understand that each accident is unique and requires a tailored approach to achieve maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.

Common Neck and Back Injuries in Intersection Crashes

Intersection crashes frequently cause severe injuries to the neck and back due to the sudden forces when vehicles crash. These injuries can have long-lasting effects, requiring ongoing medical attention and potentially leading to permanent disability.

Whiplash

Whiplash is the most common injury in car accident claims, particularly in rear-end collisions. This injury occurs when the head and neck are suddenly jerked, damaging soft tissues and muscles. While some recover within weeks, others experience chronic pain, requiring extensive medical assistance and physical therapy.

Herniated Discs

Intersection crashes can cause discs between vertebrae to rupture, putting pressure on nearby nerves. This results in severe pain and numbness, affecting work ability and daily activities. Treatment may include pain management, physical therapy, or surgery, contributing to mounting medical costs.

Vertebrae Fractures

Severe intersection crashes can cause vertebrae fractures in the spine. These injuries may result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring immediate medical assistance and often involving complex surgery, hospital stays, and extensive rehabilitation.

Medical bills for treating neck and back trauma can quickly become overwhelming. Our qualified car accident lawyer team works with medical professionals to understand your injuries and ensure your claim accounts for all current and future medical expenses.

If you’ve been involved in an auto accident caused by an at-fault driver, it’s crucial to consult experienced injury lawyers to understand your rights and potential compensation. Our team of injury lawyers will help you navigate the complexities of your claim and pursue the compensation you deserve from the at-fault driver.

Symptoms To Look Out for

After an intersection crash, seek medical help immediately, even if you don’t feel injured. Adrenaline can mask symptoms of critical injuries, and some conditions may not appear until hours or days after the accident happened. Recognizing warning signs early is vital for your health and car accident claim.

Some common symptoms to watch out for include:

• Neck or back pain
• Headaches
• Dizziness or nausea
• Pain or stiffness in the shoulders
• Numbness or tingling in the limbs

Don’t ignore these symptoms or assume they will resolve on their own. Prompt medical care protects your health and creates essential documentation for your personal injury claim. Insurance companies often argue that delayed medical assistance indicates injuries weren’t serious, so establish a clear medical record immediately.

Our personal injury lawyers remind clients that health should always be the top priority after an intersection crash. The cost of medical treatment should never prevent you from seeking needed care. We can help you understand options for covering medical costs while your car accident claim is pending.

Proving Liability in Intersection Crashes

Establishing fault for your intersection crash is crucial for recovering compensation through your personal injury claim. Kentucky follows comparative negligence rules, meaning even if you bear some responsibility, you may still seek compensation from the other driver or the other driver’s insurance company.

Proving liability typically involves demonstrating that the other driver has violated traffic laws or failed to exercise reasonable care. Common examples include running red lights, ignoring traffic lights, not stopping at stop signs, failing to yield right of way, distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence.

Our experienced attorney team uses various pieces of evidence to prove liability, including police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, cell phone records, and accident reconstruction analysis. We work with experts who analyze physical evidence and provide professional opinions about how the accident occurred.

Sometimes, multiple parties share responsibility for intersection crashes. If poor intersection design contributed to the crash, the government entity might also be liable. Our Kentucky car accident lawyers handle complex liability issues and identify all potentially responsible parties to maximize compensation.

Don’t let the insurance company minimize your claim. Our experienced legal team knows how to build strong cases and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for your free consultation: 888-709-9329.

Compensation After an Intersection Accident

Victims of intersection crashes may be entitled to various types of compensation depending on injury severity and case circumstances. Understanding what damages you can pursue helps ensure you don’t settle for less than your claim is worth.

In cases involving egregious conduct like drunk driving, punitive damages may be available. Our personal injury attorneys evaluate all aspects to pursue compensation for all losses.

Kentucky’s no-fault system requires you to first seek compensation through your own insurance company’s personal injury protection coverage. However, if injuries meet certain thresholds, you can step outside the no-fault system and file suit against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.

Economic Damages

Economic damages represent direct financial losses from your accident and injuries, including medical bills for all treatment costs, lost wages from time off work, future medical expenses for ongoing care, property damage for vehicle repair or replacement, and reduced earning capacity if injuries affect future income.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate for personal impact, including physical pain and discomfort, emotional distress such as anxiety and depression, loss of enjoyment of activities, and disfigurement or disability from permanent changes.

After an intersection crash, understanding the compensation you’re entitled to is crucial. Our personal injury lawyers have a deep understanding of personal injury law and are here to help you pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.

Kentucky law allows you to step outside the no-fault system if your injuries meet certain thresholds, enabling you to file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance. Our goal is to help you recover maximum compensation and ensure a successful outcome for your auto accident claim.

Photographic and Video Evidence Your Lawyer Will Use

Visual evidence plays a crucial role in car accident cases. Our legal team understands the importance of gathering and preserving photographic and video evidence that can strengthen your car accident claim and help prove liability.

Scene Photography

If you’re able to do so safely after your accident, taking photographs provides valuable evidence. Important shots include vehicle damage from multiple angles, vehicle positions after the accident, skid marks or debris, traffic signs, weather and road conditions, and any visible trauma.

Traffic Camera Footage

Many Kentucky intersections have traffic cameras that may have captured your accident. Our experienced car accident lawyer team knows how to quickly request this footage before it’s deleted. Traffic camera video provides clear evidence of how the accident occurred and which driver violated traffic laws.

Security Camera Footage

Nearby businesses often have security cameras that may have recorded your intersection crash. We work quickly to identify and preserve this evidence, as many companies only keep footage for a limited time. Security cameras sometimes capture details traffic cameras miss.

Dashboard Camera Evidence

Dashboard cameras are increasingly common and provide excellent evidence in car accident claims. If you or the other driver had a dashboard camera, this footage can be invaluable for proving exactly what happens when vehicles collide.

Our injury lawyers work with accident reconstruction experts who use photographic and video evidence to create detailed analyses. But time is critical for preserving visual evidence. The sooner you contact our law firm, the better chance we have of gathering all available evidence to support your claim. Contact us for a free consultation today at 888-709-9329.

A Car Accident Attorney in Kentucky You Can Trust

Intersection crashes can change your life instantly, leaving you with serious trauma, mounting medical expenses, and uncertainty about the future. However, you don’t have to face these challenges alone. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Rhoads & Rhoads are here to help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you need.

Our Kentucky car accident injury lawyers understand that every car accident claim is unique, and we tailor our approach to your specific needs. Whether you’re dealing with catastrophic injuries requiring long-term medical care or seeking compensation for lost wages and emotional distress, we have the knowledge to pursue maximum compensation.

Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you. Their goal is to minimize payouts, while our goal is to ensure you receive full compensation for your losses. With our experience handling motor vehicle accidents throughout Kentucky, we know how to negotiate effectively and aren’t afraid to file suit when necessary.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact Rhoads & Rhoads today at 888-709-9329 for your free consultation. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no legal fees until we win your case. Let our experienced attorney team review your case, explain your legal options, and help you understand the next steps. Your recovery is our priority, and we’re committed to fighting for the justice and compensation you deserve.