Intersection Accidents (T-Bone and / or Broadside)

Intersections are planned points of traffic conflict, and thus a primary location for traffic collisions.

The motorcycle accident attorneys at Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, have built an outstanding reputation among Southwest Florida riders through more than four decades of legal help. In intersection collisions in particular, we encourage accident victims to seek experienced legal counsel as soon as possible.

New technology is impacting every area of our lives. Traffic cameras, security cameras, cell phone photos and videos, social media posts and text messages may all play a roll in proving or documenting a crash scene. Cell phones and other electronics may even play a roll in causing a collision.

Most of this evidence is best gathered in the hours or days after a wreck occurs.

In more than half of all motorcycle collisions involving another vehicle, the at-fault driver fails to yield the right of way to a rider. In about 40 of such cases, the driver turns left in front of a rider.

“The greatest potential for conflict between you and other traffic is at intersections,” the Florida’s Motorcycle Safety Handbook advises. “Cars turning left (in front of you) and cars on side streets that pull into your lane are the biggest dangers.”

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles advises riders not to rely on eye contact with another driver. “If a car can enter your path, assume that it will.” Too many serious and fatal collisions are caused by drivers who fail to “see” a rider.

“The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominate cause of motorcycle accidents,” according to the Hurt Report, which is often described as the most comprehensive study of motorcycle collisions of the 20th Century. The report identified road obstructions and the visibility of riders as key factors of collision causation.

Daytime running lights (mandatory under Florida law) and brightly colored clothing are two ways to help ensure rider visibility. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles also advises riders approaching an intersection to choose a lane for maximum visibility and to cover the brake and clutch to reduce reaction time.

Urban riders should also be aware of the risk of mid-block crashes between intersections, which are more likely to be fatal. Safety advocates note speeds are likely faster at point of impact and drivers may still be accelerating or otherwise unprepared to make sudden stops.

Following large vehicles too closely may also increase a rider’s risk of an intersection collision. While the average collision allows for just 2-seconds reaction time, another critical safety issue is motorists who turn left into a rider who is following a large vehicle too closely, and thus can’t be seen until it’s too late.

At Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, we see too many accident cases in which the rider is not given the benefit of the doubt. In some cases, motorcyclists are even erroneously blamed for a collision. This is particularly true of intersection accidents.

If you or a loved one has been injured, contact any of our offices in Southwest Florida to speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer today. Serving Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte.

Motorcycle Injury Attorneys – 800-646-1210 – Free Consultation