Intersection Safety: How To Navigate Dangerous Intersections

Navigating dangerous intersections is stressful for a reason. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), about one–quarter of traffic fatalities and half of all traffic injuries in the United States occur at intersections. These are eye-opening statistics that every driver needs to take seriously.

After all, most of these accidents, injuries, and fatalities are entirely avoidable. They are usually caused by nothing more than the negligence of an individual who was driving distracted, recklessly, drunk, or drowsy. Avoiding these behaviors and following some basic intersection safety tips can dramatically reduce intersection-related accidents.

Unfortunately, even when you take every precaution, sometimes navigating dangerous intersections will still end in an accident. The good news for victims is that they may be able to pursue compensation for the damages they sustain as a result, including medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.

If you believe you have a viable claim, get in touch with the distinguished car accident attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright. Call us today at (407) 712-7300 for your FREE case review. Our attorneys proudly serve our neighbors in Orlando and throughout Florida.

What Is Considered a “Dangerous Intersection”?

The FHWA categorizes intersections as signalized and unsignalized, with the latter being made up of a few types:

• Stop sign-controlled
• Yield sign-controlled
• Uncontrolled

Unsignalized intersections are generally more dangerous than those with traffic signals—65% of intersection fatalities in 2022 occurred at unsignalized intersections, according to the FHWA’s data. Unfortunately, unsignalized intersections are also the most common type of intersection in the U.S.

Dangerous Intersections in Orlando

Orlando drivers are, unfortunately, not strangers to navigating dangerous intersections. Even those that are signaled can be difficult to traverse and lead to catastrophic collisions. Some of the most dangerous intersections in our city include:

• John Young Parkway & Sand Lake Road
• E. Colonial Drive & I-4
• Lee Road & I-4
• 434 & N. Ronald Reagan Boulevard
• North Hiawassee Road & Clarcona Ocoee Road
• Oak Ridge Rd. & Orange Blossom Trl

We highly recommend exercising additional caution when driving through these intersections.

What Are the 5 Most Important Responsibilities a Driver Has When Navigating Dangerous Intersections?

In most cases, intersection accidents result from aggressive, distracted, or impatient drivers. Avoiding collisions can be as simple as:

1. Yielding right of way
2. Paying attention
3. Using turn signals
4. Driving defensively
5. Having patience

No one enjoys being stuck in traffic or navigating slow or complicated intersections, but by following these simple steps, the majority of intersection collisions and fatalities would never happen.

What Are 2 Things You Should Do As You Approach an Intersection?

When navigating dangerous intersections, there are precautions you should take to be as safe as possible.

1. Stay Aware: Maintaining awareness is crucial when traveling through intersections, from making sure you’re in the correct lane to keeping an eye on the cars around you. It’s also important to keep an eye out for pedestrians.
2. Prepare To Stop: You may be tempted to speed up when approaching an intersection to ensure you make it through the light. However, doing so can result in unnecessary danger and lead to higher-speed collisions. Instead, be prepared to stop and apply the brake—not the accelerator—when a light turns yellow.

By keeping your eyes on the road and avoiding distractions, you can dramatically reduce your risk of being involved in a collision at an intersection.

What Is the Intersection Rule?

The most important rule of intersections is right-of-way. When drivers are all aware of who is supposed to go first, it leads to much safer intersections. A few rules of thumb:

• Usually, the driver who arrives at the intersection first has the right-of-way
• If two drivers arrive at the same intersection at the same time, the driver on the left has the right-of-way
• If a driver approaches an intersection and intends to turn left, they must yield to oncoming traffic even if they arrived at the intersection first

Most drivers should be fully aware of these intersection rules, but it is still best to take a cautious approach and be prepared for another driver to disregard them.

What Is the Safest Way To Approach an Uncontrolled Intersection?

Uncontrolled intersections are most common in low-traffic areas. Because of this, drivers become accustomed to speeding through them. While this might not result in an accident most of the time, the times it does can be at high speeds, leading to traumatic accidents and injuries.

That’s why you should always approach uncontrolled intersections with as much caution as you approach a controlled intersection. Prepare to stop, look both ways, use turn signals, and always yield the right of way.

What To Do After a Car Accident at an Intersection

After being involved in a car accident, there are a few key steps you should take:

1. Call 911
2. Seek medical attention
3. Document the accident scene with your phone’s camera
4. Gather the other driver’s information
5. Speak with witnesses, if possible, and collect their information

Your ability to complete these steps ultimately depends on the severity of your injuries. If you are unable to safely exit a vehicle on your own, you should wait until paramedics arrive to assist you.

If you are unable to document the scene or talk to witnesses, getting in touch with a car accident lawyer as soon as possible will help since they can begin their investigation right away.

Contact the Dedicated Attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright Today

Most of the tips and rules we have reviewed here are common practice. Anyone who has passed their driver’s tests should be able to easily follow them.  Unfortunately, drivers navigating dangerous intersections are negligent behind the wheel far too often, discounting their own safety and that of others on the road.

These poor decisions can upend someone’s life in a moment, leading to painful injuries, time away from work, out-of-pocket expenses, and even death. That’s why, if you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, we encourage you to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible.

At Colling Gilbert Wright, we are committed to providing each of our clients with the attention and empathy they deserve. Our goal is to walk you through the entirety of the legal process to ensure your rights are protected and that you recover the compensation you need and deserve for your damages.

To get started, contact our Orlando car accident lawyers today for a FREE consultation.