How Dangerous Intersections Contribute to Car Accidents 

 Posted on June 27, 2025 in Car Accidents

Dangerous conditions on roadways can lead to serious traffic accidents, sometimes even causing multi-vehicle pileups. At busy four-way intersections, one driver’s negligence can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damages. If you or somebody you love has been injured in one of these accidents, you should seek out the legal services of a personal injury attorney.

At Schwartz Injury Law, we know just how disastrous an accident at an intersection can be for your health and your finances. Our team of knowledgeable attorneys is prepared to review every detail of your case and fight for fair monetary compensation on your behalf. We have a proven history of securing multimillion-dollar settlements through effective negotiation, so you can take comfort in knowing that your case will be handled by attorneys with real experience.

How Serious Are T-Bone Accidents?

T-bone accidents frequently occur at intersections, when one driver smashes the front of his or her vehicle into the side of another vehicle. These crashes have the potential to cause more damage than rear-end accidents because there is much less, if any, of a buffer between the struck car and the vehicle that drove into it. Due to the forces involved, this puts the struck driver at serious risk. It is not uncommon for victims of T-bone accidents to walk away with several broken bones, concussions, or other worse injuries.

If your car was T-boned by another driver at a dangerous intersection, you should get your injuries examined and treated as soon as possible. Minor aches and pains after a car crash could be indicative of deeper damage, so seeking medical care at a hospital is in your best interests.

Serious Accidents Caused by Drunk Drivers at Intersections

The intoxicating effects of alcohol can dull the senses and impair one’s judgment. At best, a tipsy driver is an unpredictable hazard on the roadway. At worst, a completely inebriated driver poses a lethal threat to every other driver in his or her vicinity. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that roughly 30 percent of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. involve alcohol.

A drunk driver at an intersection may not have the physical or mental faculties necessary to avoid an accident. In many cases, drunk drivers cause collisions by failing to brake in time, ignoring traffic lights, or veering into the wrong lane. At Schwartz Injury Law, our lawyers can help you hold drunk drivers accountable with an aggressive personal injury claim.

Texting While Driving Crashes at Four-Way Stops

Much like driving under the influence, texting while driving is a reckless habit that can endanger the lives of everybody on the road. Other drivers are often forced to account for a distracted driver’s reckless operation of a vehicle, which can set off a catastrophic chain of events at an intersection.

Texting while driving can pull a driver’s attention away from changing conditions on the road, such as a car pulling to a stop in front of him or her. In more extreme cases, a distracted driver might shoot straight through a red light – the cause of numerous T-bone accidents. Our lawyers can collect evidence, such as witness statements or dash cam and traffic camera footage, to help hold the responsible driver accountable.

Increased Risk Factors for Crashes at Intersections

Accounting for the behavior of other drivers is hard enough on its own, but other factors can increase the chances of an accident as well. Possible risk factors at an intersection include, but are not limited to:

• Time of Day: Other drivers may be more difficult to spot at night. Crashes may also be more likely to occur during the morning and evening rush hours where there tends to be more traffic on the roads.

• Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, and hail can reduce friction on the road and decrease visibility.

• Road Maintenance: Badly maintained roads may be harder to drive on, increasing the risk of a crash.

• Pedestrian Presence: An intersection with heavy pedestrian traffic may pose an increased danger.

At Schwartz Injury Law, we will look into the cause of an accident, getting a complete picture of the incident to strengthen your case.

What Should I Do After a Collision at a Dangerous Intersection?

If you have been struck at an intersection, the first thing you should do is make sure everyone in the vehicle is checked for injuries. If you or a passenger needs immediate medical care, call an ambulance. Otherwise, you can go to a hospital later for a thorough examination.

If it is safe to do so, make contact with the other driver and get his or her insurance information, but do not apologize or admit fault for the accident, as this could reduce the value of your claim. Then, call the police to get a formal report of the accident in writing. This report may also name the driver at fault, which can be immensely helpful for your claim.

Can Government Entities Be Held Responsible for Car Crashes?

In most car accidents, you can expect to collect compensation from the insurance policy of the driver at fault. However, this is not the only party you can hold accountable for damages. Depending on the crash, you may be able to hold other third parties accountable. Local and state governments are responsible for maintaining roads. If you got into a crash at an intersection due to a pothole or other unaddressed hazards, you may have a viable avenue to file a personal injury claim against the government.

At Schwartz Injury Law, our attorneys can help you seek compensation for a variety of damages, including your medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, loss of income, and quality of life. We will review your case closely to identify all of the parties responsible for your damages so we can hold them accountable.

Contact a Joliet, IL Personal Injury Lawyer Today

If you or somebody you love has been hurt in a car accident at an intersection, do not wait to seek legal representation. At Schwartz Injury Law, our Will County, IL car accident attorneys can investigate a claim on your behalf and argue for your right to a maximum compensation. To schedule a free consultation today, call our offices at 708-888-2160.