Fresno Intersection Accidents
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno car accident lawyer. While there are a large number of accidents that happen on a daily basis in California, the percentage chance that any one car will crash is relatively low. That being said, accidents are much more likely to occur in certain areas. Specifically, accidents happen regularly in intersections as a result of driver negligence.
Hazards of Fresno Intersections
Intersections present a number of different hazards that make collisions more likely, especially when drivers are operating their vehicles dangerously or at unsafe speeds.
First, many intersections have confusing traffic signals. Between stop signs, left turn lanes, and flashing street lights, intersections themselves are dangerous places that can breed the conditions for auto accidents.
Second, turning is generally more dangerous than driving in a straight line, and more things can go wrong. Many drivers forget to look or use their mirrors. Additionally, some vehicles have blind spots that can make it impossible to see oncoming vehicles.
Third, even though the general rule is that no one should change lanes in an intersection for safety reasons, many people change lanes all the same, regardless of how dangerous it can be. Sometimes, a lane change is made suddenly to change directions, or intersection lane changes can occur while drivers are attempting to pass. These activities are very dangerous and can be considered negligent.
Another common cause of intersection accidents is distracted drivers who are texting on their cell phones. Inattention by a driver is a factor in about 80 percent of motor vehicle accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and an estimated 3,000 people passed away nationwide last year in collisions involving a distracted driver, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
Accident Statistics Show Frequent Collisions at Fresno Intersections
The data below indicates that many accidents occur at intersections located in the City of Fresno. This is statistical information concerning the number of intersection collisions over the past ten years.
- Intersection of Eklund Avenue and Shield Avenue – 21 collisions
- Intersection of Belmont Avenue and Park Avenue – 20 collisions
- Intersection of Blackstone Avenue and Shields Avenue – 20 collisions
- Intersection of Cedar Avenue and Shaw Avenue – 19 collisions
- Intersection of Blackstone Avenue and Sierra Avenue – 19 collisions
- Intersection of 31st Street and Shawn Avenue – 19 collisions
- Intersection of Blackstone Avenue and Herndon Avenue – 19 collisions
- Intersection of El Dorado Street and Trinity Street – 18 collisions
- Intersection of Fresno Street and Herndon Avenue – 17 collisions
- Intersection of Marty Avenue and Shaw Avenue – 17 collisions
Over five million car accidents are reported in the United States over the course of a year. Almost thirty thousand people involved in auto accidents are killed every year. Even where a fatality does not occur, over one million people are seriously injured as a result of crashes.
The economic cost of accidents is also high. Auto accidents cost the U.S. economy almost $300 billion every year in medical cost, lost property, and other expenses. If no auto accidents occurred at all and the amount saved each year were divided evenly between everyone in the country, each person would have an extra thousand dollars in their pocket.
Types of Injuries Common to Fresno Car Accidents
Auto accident injuries can be quite serious and may even result in catastrophic bodily injuries to you or a loved one. Some common types of injuries include head and back trauma (including a concussion or traumatic brain injury). Another serious injury is spinal cord trauma that may result in partial paralysis or full paralysis. Additionally, whiplash can result in debilitating and long-term neck injuries. Other serious injuries include facial lacerations, bone fractures, torn ligaments, and lost limbs.
These types of injuries often result in the need for extensive medical care. Nerve damage, brain trauma, and paralysis require extensive and continuous treatment over time. Medical bills can become expensive very quickly. Even if the bills are not exorbitant, you may have a large deductible under your health insurance plan that will need to be paid. Depending on the terms of your policy, you could be required to fork over a few thousand dollars before your insurance begins to cover any medical expenses.
Damages Available in Intersection Auto Accident Injury Cases
The forms of financial compensation that can be pursued through a personal injury claim include reimbursement for your medical bills and related expenses such as doctor’s visits, ambulance bills, surgeries, prescription medications, and so forth. You can also be reimbursed for your lost income if you were forced to miss work due an accident. This also, includes future lost wages if you become disabled or unable to return to your job as a result of an accident.
In addition to the economic damages described above, you can pursue non-economic damages (i.e. pain and suffering damages). These damages often include the stress, mental anguish, and inconvenience associated with the injuries you suffered in a collision.
In certain cases that are particularly outrageous and shocking, you could pursue punitive damages. Though, there needs to be evidence that the driver who hit your vehicle was engaged in conduct that was truly egregious or grossly negligent.
Hiring a Fresno Personal Injury Attorney Offers Low Risk and Potential for a High Reward
Some intersection accident victims are hesitant to contact an attorney because they think the legal fees and associated costs are simply too burdensome, especially if they have been out of a work due to the accident and had to pay a large deductible for medical care. Have no worries. Personal injury attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that rather than charging an hourly representation fee, your lawyer only gets paid when they obtain a financial recovery for you. Typically, a personal injury attorney will receive between 33 and 40 percent of the overall recovery.
Intersection accidents often result in serious injuries to the driver or passenger in a vehicle that was hit by a negligent driver. You should be properly compensated for your harms and losses. This is why it makes sense to contact an experienced Fresno car accident lawyer right away.
Related Content by Fresno Personal Injury Lawyer, Edward A Smith:
Fresno Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno car accident lawyer. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries caused by a negligent motorist, please call me at (559) 377-7676 for free, friendly advice. You may also contact me toll-free at (800) 404-5400.
I have been practicing personal injury and wrongful death law exclusively since 1982.
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