The days of driving for fun and leisure in Texas are nearly obsolete. While you may still have a favorite rural route that you enjoy traveling in your free time, most of the time you spend behind the wheel is commuting to and from work, running errands or other circumstances that often land you in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Avoiding motor vehicle collisions can be a great challenge, especially at intersections.
If a massive truck or other vehicle comes barreling through a red light at a crossroads, you might be navigating a turn and wind up in the back of an ambulance if the other driver hits you. Sadly, intersection collisions often result in serious or fatal injuries. That’s why it’s wise to be especially alert and cautious any time you approach a crossroad.
Little things mean a lot at Texas intersections
When you approach an intersection, either by motor vehicle or on foot, there might be numerous other vehicles or pedestrians in the area. Even if you’re at a secured intersection, meaning there are traffic lights, stop signs or other signage to govern your movement, there’s no guarantee that all other nearby drivers are doing what they’re supposed to do. The following list includes practical tips for intersection safety that emphasize just how important minor details can be:
- If you’re driving, it’s especially important to keep your eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel as you approach a crossroad. This allows you to maintain steering control and to possibly notice a potential hazard, such as another approaching motorist that appears to be speeding.
- When you have a green light, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s safe to enter the intersection. It’s better to pause and scan the surroundings, making sure no other vehicles or pedestrians are entering your path.
- Turning at intersections can be particularly challenging. Safety experts recommend navigating crossroad turns at no more than 5 miles per hour, which creates stopping distance if you’re behind other cars, and also gives you more time to swiftly react if a problem arises.
- It’s possible to arrive at a crossroad simultaneously with other cars. Motor vehicle collisions often occur when one driver fails to yield a right-of-way to another, which is why, if you’re unsure whose turn it is to go, it’s best to be the one who yields.
Drivers trying to beat a red light, people getting behind the wheel while intoxicated or drivers who are distracted place themselves and you at great risk for personal injury at Texas intersections. No matter how cautious and alert you are, another person’s negligence can place you in harm’s way.
If that happens
When motor vehicle collisions occur in Texas or elsewhere, it often takes investigators days or weeks to determine the exact cause of a particular collision. More times than not, driver negligence is a key factor in intersection collisions. If another driver’s reckless behavior causes you injury, you shouldn’t have to bear the full burden of financial consequences that may arise during your recovery.
Medical bills, physical therapy, time off work and other issues can spark financial distress after a motor vehicle collision. State law allows you to seek compensation for damages in court.