The Misery of Intersection Crashes

Two more families had to be notified that they’d lost a loved one after an intersection crash in Orlando took their lives. This time the victims were making a left turn in their Kia on a green light, when an SUV ran a red light and smashed into their car. It was one more horrendous tragedy occurring in an intersection in the Sunshine State.

FHA Facts 

The Federal Highway Administration reports that over half of accidents involving injuries and death occur near or in intersections. In 2020 alone, the number of deaths from intersection collisions across the nations approached 11,000.  Here in Florida, intersections see over 300,000 collisions annually, resulting in over 90,000 injuries and nearly 900 deaths.

Intersections are Dangerous 

Because vehicles are traveling in all four directions, intersections pose unique hazards to drivers, making the chance of a collision greater than at other locations on the road.  A number of issues factor into these accidents:

• More than four in ten accidents can be linked to drivers who fail to survey their surroundings adequately.
• motorists that are turning often misjudge the speed of oncoming traffic.
• Drivers who are distracted by phones or other issues may be at risk of driving errors.
• Motorists often attempt to speed through intersections to avoid a red light.
• The greatest risk for accidents is in unsignaled intersections.
• The greatest risk of serious injury or death is for individuals in left-turning vehicles.
• Running lights or rolling through stop signs heightens the risk of these accidents.
• Vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists are all at risk in intersections.

Drive Smart 

Defensive driving is the key to avoiding accidents in intersections and elsewhere.  Other tips include:

• Slowing down as you approach any intersection.
• Focusing on any movement in or near the intersection.
• Coming to a complete stop before making right turns.
• After coming to a stop at an intersection, double checking cross traffic for vehicles that may be running a red light before pulling forward.
• Being particularly cognizant of pedestrians and cyclists.
• Stopping at yellow lights rather than speeding through.
• Approaching blind intersections cautiously.
• Using your signal before navigating any turn.

When Recklessness Causes Accidents that Harm Innocents 

If you or a family member has been injured in an accident due to the reckless actions of another driver and you suffer serious injuries or death, you may be entitled to damages to address medical bills, lost present and future income, and more, but it could be a complicated road to follow. At Salazar & Kelly Law Group our dedicated Kissimmee car accident attorneys can help you get there. Schedule a confidential consultation in our office today.

Source:

fox35orlando.com/news/2-dead-after-driver-runs-red-light-at-orlando-intersection