Most Common Types of Intersection Car Accidents

“T-bone” crash

These crashes occur when a driver runs a red light or makes a reckless left turn. These crashes are probably the most confusing since they can occur in many ways, such as: 

• • A driver runs a red light and broadsides a driver who has the right of way.
  • A driver runs a red light and is broadsided by a driver who has the right of way.

Rear-end collision

A Rear-end collision occurs when a driver fails to stop at a red light. Usually, the driver is distracted, speeding, drowsy, or impaired when approaching the intersection. The driver then hits the other motorists who are legally stopped at a red light or stop sign.

Head-on collision

These car accidents occur when a driver’s car turns out of control and hits another car head-on. While these crashes are typically rare, divers involved in head-on collisions sustain severe and even fatal injuries.

Sideswipe 

Sideswipes often happen in intersections with multiple lanes and when two or more cars are simultaneously trying to merge into a lane. This often results in the drivers hitting roadside structures, pedestrians, and bicyclists. 

Expert Intersection Collision Lawyers

If you’ve sustained an injury in a crash, there’s too much at stake to allow insurance companies to decide the outcome of your case for you. That’s why it’s imperative to speak with an experienced car accident attorney at Hernandez Law to learn about all the legal options your case has. After the accident, seek medical help and let our legal team handle the rest. We have the experience of investigating intersection vehicle accidents and collecting all the necessary evidence to prove fault. Our attorneys will fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or call our office during normal business hours to learn more about how we can help you and your case. 

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Although unlike physical injuries, emotional trauma can be easily ignored and put aside. However, being part of an accident, no matter how severe, can be quite traumatic. Don’t neglect your mental health. Instead, here are a few tips you can follow to address your emotional injuries, relieve your anxiety, and start living like before.   

Research Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

When you think of PTSD, you’re probably associating it with soldiers who endure harsh combat encounters. However, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can affect anyone who has lived through something stressful and traumatic. Yes, even a car accident. But, not everyone who goes through something traumatic gets PTSD. 

So, don’t fret; here is a list of symptoms you can use to familiarize yourself and help you identify if you or any passenger may be suffering from PTSD.

Some of the most common indicators that you may be suffering from PTSD are:

• They are frequently reliving the trauma, such as flashbacks or recurring nightmares.
• They avoid things that may remind you of the traumatic event, like driving or even talking about the accident.
• A reduction in emotional contact.
• The person may also suffer from exaggerated reactions in everyday situations unrelated to the accident. This can include startling easily, feeling exceptionally irritable, or being unable to sleep.

Even though no one is sure exactly what may have caused a person to develop PTSD over others, it seems that chronic pain post-accident can be an important factor.

Learn How to Remain Calm

Whether or not you have ASD or PTSD, heightened anxiety after an accident is common. Recognize that anxiety is both normal and manageable. Try the following things when you find yourself becoming anxious:

• Practice mindful breathing. Take slow, deep breaths.
• Focus on the world around you. Notice physical objects in the present moment instead of mentally reliving the accident.
• Learn and use muscle relaxation techniques.

A therapist or mental health professional also can help you learn anxiety-controlling techniques specific to your personality and situation. Contact a mental health specialist if you feel unable to cope with anxiety, if anxiety interrupts your everyday life, or if you’re worried about your anxiety in any way.

Look After Yourself

You have just experienced an extremely scarring event. Take it easy on yourself; give yourself time to cope. Please treat this as a physical injury, give it time to heal. 

When you can, focus on the positives in your life. Make it as good as you can. Eat healthily, drink water, do some exercise if you can. Also, if physical injuries allow it, try going back to those hobbies that make you happy. Like listening to music, watching movies, or knitting a sweater. Anything to enable you to create a semi-comfortable environment so you can heal at your own pace. 

Do not confuse this as ignoring your feelings, though. It’s vital to address your feelings now and then. Comfort yourself when you need to, but don’t remain stagnant.

Consult Others

Settling for silent suffering will only add to your mental distress. Talk to a family member or a friend about your experience and even ask them what they think you should do to make things a bit better. You don’t have to step entirely out of your comfort zone. If you feel like leaving out some details of the accident that would hit too close to home, that’s fine. However, you will need someone available to help you process your emotions. 

An alternative route is to see a therapist who can help you work through your issues. Also, therapist appointments are confidential. So you can share all you want to and not feel guilty or judge by those close to you. 

Don’t suffer alone during these trying times. Make sure you obtain the correct treatment for your mental health, not only your physical injuries. Talk to a personal injury attorney to make sure you are receiving the treatment you need. You may be entitled to some compensation for your pain and suffering.  

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Stop

Utah Statutes Section Section 41-6a-401.7 requires all drivers involved in accidents that have led to either vehicle damage, injury, or death, to stop at the accident scene. Mostly, a rear-end collision only cause property damage. However, if it results in any injuries, the drivers involved have an obligation to obtain medical assistance. If the accident has only caused property damage, the vehicle drivers should pull their cars on to the side of the road to avoid obstructing traffic flow.

Report

Utah Statutes Section 41-6a-401.4 requires any drivers involved in a vehicle accident that results in damages exceeding $2,500 to notify the authorities about the accident. 

Exchange

According to Utah Statute Section 41-6a-401.3a, drivers involved in an accident that results in property damage have to give their name and address to all parties involved in the accident. You also need to provide your driver’s license, registration, and insurance, if available. 

All the information provided is used to help facilitate the process for drivers, depending on who’s at fault, to seek compensation for property damage and injuries sustained therein. Due to this, every driver should provide and request all necessary information about the other driver(s) involved before leaving the accident site.

Gather 

Generally, people think that the driver who rear-ends the car in front is automatically deemed at fault for the accident; however, this is not always the case. When collecting compensation for damages and injuries suffered, the insurance company only places value on what each party can prove. 

Because of this, any driver involved in a rear-end vehicle collision should gather as much evidence of how the accident took place. Among things you could use to gather evidence are: 

• • Taking Pictures of the Vehicle(s)
  • Obtaining Video Recordings if Possible (Traffic Cameras)
  • Talk to Witnesses and Receive Testimonies  

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