Intersection Car Accident Lawyer - Chicago, IL

Chicago commuters drive through intersections every day, often overlooking how dangerous they can be due to their familiarity and frequency. At an intersection, drivers have mere seconds to process and respond to multiple pieces of information — what traffic signals say, the location of crosswalks, and what surrounding motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists are doing. With such complexity and chaos, it comes as no surprise that intersection accidents account for around one-quarter of traffic deaths and half of all crash injuries each year.

If you suffered injuries in a car accident at an intersection, the attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. want to hear from you. Our law firm has over 40 years of experience helping injured victims obtain financial compensation for their losses. Identifying every at-fault party after an intersection crash can be challenging, but our lawyers will work aggressively to hold each one accountable for your losses. Call or contact us today to speak to an experienced and resourceful Chicago car accident attorney.

How an Intersection Accident Lawyer Can Help You

Intersection collisions can be chaotic, and dealing with insurers in the aftermath is taxing, especially if you sustained serious injuries. An intersection car accident attorney from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can take the reins and handle every aspect of your personal injury claim, from investigating the crash to negotiating with insurance companies for maximum compensation. This allows you to focus on healing and rest assured progress is being made. Our nationally recognized attorneys have recovered over $2.5 billion for our clients to date, including a $79.85 million jury verdict and a  $45 million settlement for car accident victims in Chicago.

Past clients can confirm our commitment to superior case results. A past client writes:

“Let me begin by saying that this firm made my uncle’s case a top priority and accommodated us on a visit from out of town within a 2-hour notice! That is unheard of for a law firm. Jennifer Ashley came out to my uncle’s beside after being hit by a drunk driver the same day. Her high level of professionalism and compassion for my paralyzed uncle made him immediately feel at ease. Her toughness and knowledge is what helped him win his case to get his massive medical debt covered. The process was smooth and did not take more than a few months to ease this financial burden that had been a huge concern of his along with his physical injuries. I HIGHLY recommend this firm WITHOUT RESERVATION! You can trust every word they say and they are worth their weight in gold.”

What Makes Intersections So Dangerous?

Intersections are hazardous because they are locations where multiple points of traffic converge. Navigating safely through an intersection means obeying right-of-way rules, paying attention to signs and signals, and being prepared for the unexpected from other road users.

If an intersection has complex traffic signals and multiple lanes, drivers can easily make judgment errors or unsafe maneuvers that lead to collisions with others. Intersections can also reduce driver visibility, especially when turning. Since intersections are areas where numerous paths cross, crashes frequently involve multiple vehicles. Additionally, intersections usually have crosswalks, introducing the possibility of pedestrian collisions.

Put simply, there is little margin for error in intersections. One negligent driver could injure numerous others.

Common Causes of Intersection Crashes

Intersection collisions typically happen due to driver negligence. Leading causes of intersection collisions include:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Aggressive driving
• Failure to yield
• Ignoring right of way
• Improper left turns
• Driver fatigue
• Inadequate surveillance
• Running red lights and stop signs
• Poor lighting
• Visual obstructions
• Bad road conditions
• Inclement weather

How to Prove Who Is at Fault for an Intersection Crash

Generally, liability in an intersection crash comes down to who ignored right-of-way laws. Right of way at intersections depends on the type of intersection, who arrives first, and whether the intersection has any traffic signals or signs. Typically, all drivers at intersections must yield to lawfully crossing pedestrians and cyclists.

At uncontrolled intersections — ones without traffic signs or signals — the driver who arrives first has the right of way. If multiple drivers arrive simultaneously, each driver yields to the one on their right. At controlled intersections with traffic lights, drivers must obey stop lights, and left-turning drivers should yield to oncoming traffic unless they have a protected left arrow.

For intersections with stop signs, the drivers with a stop sign must not move until there is no cross traffic. In four-way stops, each driver should yield to the person on their right.

In any of these scenarios, determining who is liable requires a thorough investigation of the accident scene. Your car accident attorney will look for all causal elements that contributed to the crash and trace them back to the responsible party(s). Your lawyer can also work with law enforcement and accident reconstructionists to analyze evidence from the crash site and determine what happened.

Establishing fault is essential to secure compensation after an intersection collision. Comparative negligence laws in Illinois allow you to obtain compensation even if you share the blame for an auto accident. However, the amount of money you can receive will be reduced by your percentage of fault. It is critical to work with an experienced car accident lawyer who can minimize your liability to maximize your recoverable compensation.

Most Dangerous Intersections in Chicago

Chicago contains over 3,000 signalized intersections in addition to many unsignalized ones. Some of the city’s most dangerous intersections for collision injuries and fatalities include:

• E 79th St. & S. Stony Island Ave.
• E 95th St. & S. Stony Island Ave.
• W Garfield Blvd & S Wentworth Ave.
• W Garfield Blvd & S Wells St.
• N Michigan Ave & E Wacker Dr.
• W Cermak Rd & S Clark St.
• N Columbus Dr & E Wacker Dr.
• W 47th St & S Western Blvd.
• N Halstead St & W Hubbard St.
• W Ontario & N Orleans St.
• W Pershing Rd & S Western Ave.
• W 99th St & S Halstead St.
• E. Chicago Ave & N Lake Shore Dr.
• W 87th St & S Lafayette Ave.
• W Congress Pkwy & W Ogden Ave.

These most dangerous intersections all share similar characteristics, such as overlapping traffic flows, wide streets, and a lack of protected cyclist infrastructure.

Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. for a Free Case Evaluation

If you sustained injuries in an intersection collision, seek legal advice before filing your car accident claim. You could be entitled to substantial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer.