Intersections are the most common location for serious motor-vehicle crashes. The U.S. DOT estimates that more than half of all crash injuries and fatalities occur at or near intersections. Siddons Law Firm, PLLC represents intersection-crash victims throughout Pennsylvania.
How Intersection Crashes Happen
The most common fault scenarios:
- Failure to stop at a red light or stop sign
- Failure to yield when turning left across oncoming traffic
- Right-turn-on-red without coming to a complete stop
- Misjudging the speed of oncoming traffic when turning
- Distracted driving — missing a signal change because of phone use
- Failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk
- Speed-related — entering the intersection at a speed that prevented stopping
- Visual obstructions — overgrown landscaping, parked vehicles, illegal signage
Determining Fault
Intersection fault analysis requires:
- Traffic-signal timing data from the signal controller (each phase’s exact timing at the moment of crash)
- Surveillance video from nearby businesses, ATMs, traffic cams, doorbell cameras, dashcams
- Witness statements
- Crash-reconstruction analysis of damage patterns, skid marks, and EDR data
- Police report and any citations issued at the scene
Many intersection cases come down to a swearing match between drivers about who had the green. Surveillance video resolves that question — but is typically overwritten in 30-90 days, so prompt retention of counsel matters.
Government Liability
Where the intersection itself was unreasonably dangerous — defective signal timing, inadequate signage, obstructed sightlines, or known-but-uncorrected accident-prone designs — the government entity responsible for the road may share liability. Notice-of-claim deadlines for government defendants in Pennsylvania are often 6 months — far shorter than the 2-year personal-injury statute. If the intersection has a history of crashes, we evaluate a possible PennDOT or municipal-defendant claim.
Common Injuries
The two most dangerous intersection-crash configurations are T-bone (side-impact) and left-turn collisions. Side-impact crashes are particularly dangerous because the side of the vehicle has minimal crumple zone protecting occupants. Common injuries:
- Side-airbag-related and seatbelt-only protection often inadequate at higher speeds
- Severe traumatic brain injury from head striking side window or door pillar
- Cervical and thoracic spine injury
- Pelvis and hip fractures
- Splenic and liver lacerations from blunt impact
- Pulmonary contusion
- Internal bleeding and shock
- Wrongful death
Statute of Limitations
Two years for personal injury. Government claims may have notice deadlines as short as 6 months under the Sovereign Immunity Act. Call promptly.
Free Case Evaluation
If you have been hurt in an intersection crash in Pennsylvania, contact our office for a free, confidential evaluation. There is no cost to discuss your potential claim, and there is no fee unless we recover compensation.