01
Running Red Lights
Entering an intersection against a red signal can cause severe T-bone and cross-traffic collisions.
Dallas–Fort Worth Intersection Accident Lawyer
The impact happened in seconds.
The consequences can last.
Intersection collisions can involve conflicting traffic signals, disputed right of way, turning vehicles, pedestrians, commercial traffic, and severe side-impact injuries.
The Piri Law Firm represents people throughout Dallas–Fort Worth who are seriously injured in intersection crashes caused by negligent drivers.
SignalsAnalyze traffic control
VideoPreserve footage
SceneReconstruct impact
LossDocument damages
DFWNorth Texas representation
Direct Answer
Who is responsible for an intersection accident?
Responsibility depends on the evidence. Drivers who run red lights, fail to yield the right of way, make unsafe turns, speed, drive distracted, or otherwise violate traffic rules may be responsible. In disputed cases, traffic-camera footage, witnesses, vehicle damage, signal information, and other evidence can become important.
Common Causes
Intersections bring competing traffic paths together.
A driver has only seconds to observe traffic controls, pedestrians, cyclists, approaching vehicles, turning traffic, and changing conditions. One mistake can cause a high-energy collision.
02
Failure To Yield
Drivers who fail to yield during turns or while entering traffic may collide with vehicles that have the right of way.
03
Unsafe Left Turns
Misjudging the speed or distance of approaching traffic can cause violent side-impact and head-on crashes.
04
Distracted Driving
Phone use and other distractions can cause drivers to miss traffic lights, stop signs, pedestrians, or approaching vehicles.
05
Speeding
Excessive speed reduces reaction time and can dramatically increase the severity of an intersection impact.
06
Limited Visibility
Buildings, vegetation, parked vehicles, weather, glare, or other obstructions can make approaching traffic difficult to see.
Evidence That Matters
The signal color may become one of the most important facts in the case.
Drivers often give conflicting accounts after an intersection crash. Independent evidence can help establish which vehicle had the right of way and how the collision occurred.
Traffic-camera and surveillance footage
Traffic-signal timing information
Witness statements
Vehicle damage and roadway evidence
Building The Case
Four questions can determine how an intersection crash happened.
Who had the right of way?
Traffic signals, signs, lane markings, turning rules, witness accounts, and video may help establish which vehicle was legally entitled to proceed.
What did each driver do?
Speed, braking, lane position, distraction, turning movements, visibility, and reaction time can all affect responsibility.
Is there independent evidence?
Traffic cameras, businesses, residences, dashcams, witnesses, electronic data, photographs, and police records may provide evidence beyond the drivers' statements.
What injuries resulted?
Medical records, diagnostic testing, surgery, rehabilitation, lost income, restrictions, prognosis, and future treatment help establish damages.
Side-Impact Collisions
T-bone crashes can expose occupants to severe impact forces.
Unlike the front and rear of many vehicles, the side of a passenger compartment provides relatively little distance between the point of impact and the occupant. Serious intersection crashes can therefore cause significant head, spinal, orthopedic, and internal injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Head impact and rapid movement can cause neurological and cognitive injuries.
Explore →Spinal Cord Injury
Severe vehicle intrusion and impact forces can damage the spine and spinal cord.
Explore →Orthopedic Trauma
Intersection collisions can cause fractures and serious injuries to the pelvis, legs, shoulders, and other joints.
Explore →Internal Injuries
Vehicle intrusion and restraint forces can cause significant injury to internal organs.
Explore →Disputed Fault
“I had the green light” may be only the beginning of the investigation.
When both drivers claim the right of way, independent evidence becomes especially important. Traffic-camera footage, nearby surveillance systems, witnesses, signal timing, vehicle positions, impact locations, and electronic information may help resolve conflicting accounts.
Related Personal Injury Services
Intersection crashes can involve many vehicles and road users.
Explore related accident and injury resources from The Piri Law Firm.
Car Accidents
Passenger-vehicle crashes can involve disputed liability, insurance issues, and serious injuries.
Explore →Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks can cause catastrophic injuries when entering or crossing intersections.
Explore →Motorcycle Accidents
Left-turn and failure-to-yield crashes are particularly dangerous for motorcyclists.
Explore →Pedestrian Accidents
Crosswalks and turning movements can create severe risks for pedestrians.
Explore →Bicycle Accidents
Cyclists can be struck when motorists fail to yield or overlook bicycle traffic.
Explore →Drunk Driving Accidents
Impaired drivers may run signals, fail to yield, speed, or enter intersections dangerously.
Explore →Hit-and-Run Accidents
Some drivers leave the scene after causing serious intersection collisions.
Explore →Catastrophic Injuries
Severe intersection impacts can cause permanent disability and lifelong medical needs.
Explore →Frequently Asked Questions
Intersection accident questions.
What should I do after an intersection accident?
If you are able, seek medical attention, contact law enforcement, photograph the vehicles and intersection, obtain witness information, identify nearby cameras, and preserve insurance and medical records.
How is fault determined in an intersection crash?
Evidence may include traffic signals, signs, lane markings, witness statements, surveillance video, traffic-camera footage, vehicle damage, electronic data, police records, and the actions of each driver.
What if both drivers say they had a green light?
Conflicting statements make independent evidence particularly important. Video, witnesses, signal timing information, vehicle damage, and roadway evidence may help determine which account is supported by the facts.
Can I recover if I was partially at fault?
Texas uses proportionate-responsibility rules. Whether and how those rules affect a particular claim depends on the allocation of responsibility and the specific facts.
How long do I have to file an intersection accident claim in Texas?
Texas generally applies a two-year limitations period to personal injury claims, although exceptions can apply. Evidence such as surveillance footage may disappear much sooner.
Confidential Consultation
What Are You Facing?
Tell us where the intersection crash happened, which direction each vehicle was traveling, what the traffic signal showed, whether witnesses or cameras were present, and what injuries and medical treatment followed.
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