Fort Worth Intersection Crashes Lawyer
Jason Stephens of Stephens Law Firm, PLLC represents accident victims hurt in intersection accidents in Fort Worth, TX. Your Fort Worth intersection crashes lawyer will help you build your case and fight against the insurance company for the maximum compensation you rightly deserve.
Call Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today at (817) 420-7000, or contact his law office online to schedule an initial free consultation to get started on your car accident injury case.
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How Stephens Law Firm, PLLC Can Help After an Intersection Accident in Fort Worth, TX
Intersections are responsible for a disproportionate amount of traffic accidents in Texas.
These auto accidents usually happen when one driver does not yield right-of-way through negligence or reckless behavior.
When a driver is distracted, speeding through an intersection, or making a dangerous left-hand turn, you may be left with serious injuries that affect you for the rest of your life.
After an accident, you may be left feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. Ideally, the at-fault driver’s insurance company would recognize the serious injuries you have suffered and their policyholder’s negligence to offer a fair settlement. Sadly, insurance companies use a team of lawyers and adjusters to fight even valid claims.
The last thing you should worry about as you recover from your injuries is a battle with an insurance company and their attorneys. Stephens Law Firm, PLLC levels the playing field against major companies to fight for the compensation you need to move on with your life.
Jason Stephens is an award-winning trial lawyer and Fort Worth personal injury lawyer who has secured some of the country’s largest verdicts for his clients. He serves as an advocate for his clients to fight for maximum compensation and take their case to court when necessary. Stephens uses cutting-edge technology, more than 25 years of experience, and his reputation to fight for his clients.
Intersection Accident Statistics in Fort Worth
While intersections account for a relatively small share of roadways in the United States, you may be surprised to learn about 40% of all crashes occur near or at an intersection. Intersections can be inherently dangerous and they’re the site of 2.5 million crashes every year in the U.S. Of these accidents, 8,600 are fatal and one-third of fatal crashes happen at an intersection with a signal.
Intersection accidents in Texas aren’t just common; they’re more likely than other accidents to cause serious injuries. 50% of serious crashes and 20% of fatal accidents happen at intersections. 704 people in Texas were killed in intersection crashes in 2018, higher than the number of fatalities associated with motorcycle crashes and pedestrian accidents in the state.
What Causes Intersection Crashes in Fort Worth?
There are many factors that may contribute to an accident in an intersection. Some of these factors are outside the control of drivers such as poor visibility, bad design of the intersection, or a malfunctioning signal. According to the NHTSA, about 96% of intersection accidents had crucial reasons attributed to drivers.
In a major study, the NHTSA found that the most common driver behaviors that cause intersection accidents are:
- Inadequate surveillance (44.1%)
- False assumption of the actions of others (8.4%)
- Turning with an obstructed view (7.8%)
- Illegal maneuvers (6.8%)
- Internal distraction in the car (5.7%)
- Misjudging a gap or another’s speed (5.5%)
Inadequate surveillance is a reason for the car crash 6x more often in intersections than on non-intersection roadways.
The common reasons for intersection crashes also depend on the driver. For drivers 24 and younger, internal distractions, driving too fast, and false assumptions are the most common causes of the crash. At intersections with stop signs, drivers 55 and older are more likely to cause an accident due to misjudging a gap or speed or inadequate surveillance.
The study also broke down intersection accidents into three broad types. The driver who caused the critical reason for the crash was:
- Turning left. Regardless of gender, these accidents were usually caused by inadequate surveillance, turning with an obstructed view, false assumptions about how other drivers would behave, and misjudging the speed or gap.
- Crossing over. These crashes were more likely to be caused by a female driver not paying attention, distracted by something in the car, or performing an illegal maneuver.
- Turning right. These accidents were more likely to be caused by a male driver making false assumptions about the actions of other drivers.
Your Fort Worth car accident lawyer at Stephens Law Firm, PLLC will investigate your accident to determine how it happened and who is liable for your injuries.
Common Types of Intersection Accidents in Texas
There are many ways for an accident to occur at an intersection. It may occur at a crosswalk and hurt pedestrians, it may involve a vulnerable motorcyclist, or it can involve more than two vehicles. Stephens Law Firm, PLLC represents accident victims in all types of crashes at dangerous intersections in Fort Worth:
- Head-on collisions
- Side-impact crashes
- Rear-end collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- Wrongful death
If you have been injured as the driver, pedestrian, or a passenger in an intersection accident and you believe someone else contributed to the crash, contact Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today. An experienced Fort Worth intersection car accident attorney can help you fight for the fair compensation you need for your injuries.
Liability for Fort Worth Intersection Crashes
In most intersection accident claims, you will need to prove negligence to recover damages for your injuries. There are four elements of negligence that must be shown:
- The other party owed you a duty of care to behave in a reasonable way to prevent harm. This is a general duty that is owed by other drivers and people on roadways.
- This duty was breached. You will need to show the other party acted in a way that was unreasonable, dangerous, or reckless.
- This breach of duty caused the accident.
- You were injured as a result of the accident.
In intersection accidents, more than one party may share liability if they were both negligent and contributed to the accident. In Texas, a modified comparative negligence rule is used. Under this rule, you can still recover compensation if you contributed to the crash as long as you are not 51% or more at fault.
If you contributed to the accident, your damages are reduced by your share of fault. If two or more parties caused your accident but you are not at fault, they may share liability for paying for your damages.
Your Fort Worth intersection accident lawyer at Stephens Law Firm, PLLC will perform a thorough investigation of your crash to determine what happened and who is ultimately to blame. Your case will be built using evidence such as:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Vehicle damage
- Onboard vehicle data
- Red light camera footage
- Surveillance footage
- Intersection design and conditions
- Expert accident reconstruction when needed
Jason Stephens of Stephens Law Firm, PLLC has represented accident victims for more than 25 years in fighting for fair compensation. The insurance company is not on your side, no matter how clear the liability in your case. The at-fault driver’s insurer will fight to minimize your claim; Stephens Law Firm, PLLC will be your advocate to gather evidence and negotiate on your behalf.
Damages Available in a Fort Worth Intersection Accident
When you suffer injuries or damages as a result of someone else’s negligence, they can be held liable for your damages in civil court. A claim against the at-fault driver can help you recover compensation to avoid the financial uncertainty you may face otherwise as you struggle with medical bills, time off work, and pain.
Under Texas law, there are two broad types of damages in a car accident case: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are easy to define. They include damages with a monetary value such as:
Non-economic damages do not have a clear monetary value. These damages may cover the pain you have experienced, the hobbies you can no longer enjoy, and the emotional and psychological impact of the crash. Examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In rare cases involving malicious behavior or egregious negligence, you may be entitled to punitive damages from a jury. These damages are designed as a punishment to deter particularly dangerous behavior.
Statute of Limitations for an Intersection Accident in Texas
Personal injury cases in the state of Texas have a statute of limitations that limits the amount of time you have to bring your claim. The statute of limitations for intersection crashes in Fort Worth is just 2 years from the date of your accident.
If you do not file a claim by this deadline, you lose your legal right to recover damages. It’s important to begin working on your case as soon as possible, however, to avoid the loss of valuable evidence.
Contact a Fort Worth, TX Auto Accident Lawyer
Intersection accidents are among the most serious and deadly in Texas. Were you or someone you love seriously injured in an intersection crash caused by a negligent or reckless driver? Attorney Jason Stephens is here to help to seek the full compensation you deserve.
Call Stephens Law Firm, PLLC today to set up your free, no-obligation consultation with a Fort Worth intersection crashes lawyer to begin exploring your legal right to compensation.
Other Car Accident Cases We Cover
- Lane change crashes
- U-turn accidents
- Red and yellow light accidents
- Hit & run accidents
- Chest injuries