Intersections are a prime spot for auto accidents. There are many cars traveling in multiple directions. When two or more roads intersect and one vehicle crosses through the path of another, it increases the chance for serious Sarasota car accidents to occur. Drivers making right and left turns add more complexity to the situation. Even if the intersection is controlled by a stop sign or traffic light, crashes still happen. Unfortunately, drivers have been known to:

  • Run red lights
  • Fail to stop at stop signs
  • Drive distracted
  • Drive aggressively
  • Fail to yield the right-of-way

Running red lights and stop signs at controlled intersections has caused head-on and right-angle crashes in Florida. Failure to yield has also produced the same type of collision results. Some intersections are equipped with traffic cameras, which can be dangerous at times. Drivers slam on their brakes suddenly to avoid running a red light because they are afraid of receiving a ticket in the mail. This abrupt stopping without warning has caused many rear-end accidents in Sarasota, Tampa and throughout Florida.

A Closer Look at Controlled Intersection Accidents

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, crashes at stop-controlled intersections are lower than accidents at intersections with a traffic light. However, data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) reveals that collisions in stop-controlled intersections are more fatal than in intersections with a light.  Additionally, fatal crashes are greater in rural stop sign intersections compared to urban stop sign intersections.

What Do the Numbers Say?

In Florida, approximately 43 percent of all traffic accidents take place in intersections with either a stop sign or traffic light. Nationally, about one-third of all collisions occur in controlled intersections. In dense urban areas, nearly half of all crashes happen at intersections—highlighting just how dangerous intersections are in Sarasota, Tampa and St. Petersburg. According to the Department of Transportation, about 40 percent of fatal collisions occur in stop sign intersections.

Were you in a head-on accident, rear-end crash or side-impact collision in an intersection that was not your fault? Please call Mallard Perez at 888-409-3805 for a free consultation with a qualified Sarasota car accident lawyer to find out how we can help you.