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Kentucky intersections are dangerous places

On Behalf of | Feb 8, 2020 | Uncategorized |

When you drive in Kentucky or elsewhere, you no doubt understand that there is a certain amount of personal injury risk involved. While you can fully adhere to traffic laws and safety regulations, as well as act with caution and alertness behind the wheel, you can’t control what other drivers do. This means that you might be at risk for injury at any time if another driver is negligent or reckless.

Intersections are often the locations of serious motor vehicle collisions. Whether you approach a four-way stop or a single fork in the road, your risk for collision typically increases. Safely navigating an intersection can be challenging. For instance, you might have a green light, but is it safe to proceed? Even if it appears so, if another driver fails to stop at a red light, the results can be disastrous.

Strategies to help you stay safe

No two driving situations are exactly the same. You might come to an intersection with no other vehicles present, making it easy to safely navigate the crossroads. On another occasion, the roadway might be crowded with traffic and pedestrians, thus prompting it a high-risk situation. The following list includes good habits to practice at intersections to help you avoid collision:

  • Even if you have a green light, it’s best to pause and scan the intersection carefully before proceeding to make sure no pedestrians have entered the crossroads and that no vehicles are in your path.
  • Be especially cautious if there are stationary objects, such as lamp posts, bushes or garbage receptacles, impeding your line of vision. Parked cars can also cause vision obstruction, so it’s a good idea to make sure there is no movement near or around a vehicle or other object.
  • Be on the lookout for distracted drivers. Sadly, many intersection collisions occur when drivers are using electronic devices and fail to stop at traffic lights or stop signs.
  • Pedestrians and bicyclists must adhere to traffic laws. If you’re at an intersection, make sure there is no one stepping off a curb or coming alongside traffic on a bicycle.

You might have the right-of-way at a particular moment. However, if you feel uncertain as to whether other drivers at the intersection are going to yield, it’s best to wait and let them go first. It’s not always possible to react swiftly and safely to avoid a crash, especially if someone blows through a stop sign or red light.

Recovering from an intersection collision

It’s highly likely that you might suffer severe, perhaps even life-threatening, injuries if another driver’s negligence or reckless behavior causes a collision at a crossroads. It wouldn’t be uncommon if you were to later learn that the Kentucky driver was distracted or impaired in some way, such as by influence of drugs or alcohol.

There’s no reason you should accept total financially responsible for the medical bills and other expenses that stem from your injuries if another person’s irresponsible behavior caused the collision. As such, you should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to learn about your options for potentially obtaining compensation for your damages.