Hurt in a Houston Intersection Crash? Our Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
Get Legal Help After Your Accident – Discuss Your Claim & Compensation Today
Intersections are some of the most common sites for car accidents in Houston. With vehicles coming from all directions and drivers making split-second decisions, it only takes one mistake – like running a red light or failing to yield at a stop sign – to cause a serious crash. If you were injured in an intersection accident, you may be dealing with painful injuries, vehicle damage, and confusion about what to do next, but you don’t have to face it alone. The Adley Law Firm in Houston has a compassionate and experienced team that has handled many car accident cases like yours. If you or a loved one has been injured in a stop sign crash, red light collision, left-turn accident, or any other intersection-related accident, contact us for a free consultation. We’ll listen to your story, explain your legal options, and answer any questions you have. It costs nothing upfront – we only get paid if we win your case, so you can get quality legal help without added financial stress.
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Common Types of Intersection Accidents
Accidents at Stop Signs
These accidents usually happen when a driver fails to stop or yield at a stop sign. A driver might roll through a stop or pull out too soon and collide with cross traffic. The driver who didn’t obey the stop sign will almost always be at fault. Texas law requires drivers to come to a full stop at stop signs and yield to anyone already in the intersection. Ignoring a stop sign is a traffic violation and strong evidence of negligence in a crash.
Accidents at Red or Yellow Lights
Accidents at traffic lights often involve someone running a red light or rushing through a yellow. For instance, a driver might blast through a red light and hit another car that’s crossing on a green light, causing a side-impact collision. In almost all cases, the red-light runner is at fault because they violated the traffic signal. Texas law says drivers must stop on red and use caution on yellow (slow down and stop if safe). If a driver runs a red or fails to yield when turning at a red, they are breaking the law and will be held responsible for any accident that results.
Left-Turn Collisions
Left-turn collisions occur when a car turning left hits (or is hit by) an oncoming car going straight. This usually means the left-turning driver turned when it wasn’t fully clear. Under Texas law, a driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic. So if someone makes a left turn without waiting for a safe gap and a crash happens, that turning driver will be at fault for failing to yield. (The only exception is if the oncoming driver also broke a rule – for example, ran a red light – in which case fault might be shared.)
Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end collisions at intersections are very common. They happen when one car is stopped (or slowing down) at a light or stop sign and the car behind them doesn’t stop in time. In almost all rear-end crashes, the driver of the following vehicle is at fault. Drivers are required to maintain a safe following distance and be able to stop in time. If someone hits you from behind, it’s usually because they were following too closely or not paying attention, which makes them responsible for the accident.
Pedestrian & Crosswalk Accidents
Intersections are where vehicles and pedestrians cross paths, which sometimes leads to accidents. A common scenario is a driver turning right on red who fails to notice a pedestrian in the crosswalk. In Texas, pedestrians have the right-of-way when crossing with a “Walk” signal or at a marked or unmarked crosswalk. A driver who hits a pedestrian under those conditions will be at fault for not yielding. If the pedestrian was jaywalking or crossing against the light, then the pedestrian could be found partly at fault – but drivers still must try to avoid hitting pedestrians whenever possible.
What to Do After an Intersection Accident in Houston
Being in a car accident is disorienting and stressful. It’s important to stay calm and take steps to protect your well-being and your legal rights. Here are the key things to do immediately after an intersection accident in Houston:
- Check for injuries and call 911: First, check yourself and others for injuries. If anyone is hurt or the damage is serious, call 911 for medical help and to have police come to the scene. Even if it’s a minor crash, consider calling the police so there’s an official accident report. If your vehicle is drivable, also move it out of the flow of traffic (onto the shoulder or a parking lot) to prevent another collision, but only if it’s safe to do so.
- Exchange information and gather evidence: Trade contact and insurance details with the other driver(s). Also, if possible, use your phone to photograph the scene (vehicle damage, positions of the vehicles, skid marks, traffic signs or lights) and get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses. While doing this, be polite but avoid saying anything that implies you were at fault.
- Seek medical attention: Get a medical checkup as soon as possible, even if you feel okay. Some injuries (like whiplash or concussions) might not show symptoms right away. Seeing a doctor not only protects your health but also creates a record that your injuries are linked to the accident.
How Filing a Claim Works in Texas
Texas is an “at-fault” state for car accidents. That means the driver who caused the accident (and their insurance company) is responsible for the losses. If you were injured in an intersection accident because of another driver’s negligence, you will usually file a claim with that driver’s insurance company. Here’s an overview of the process in Texas:
Starting the claim: After the accident, notify the at-fault driver’s insurance company (and your own insurer as well). The at-fault insurer will assign an adjuster to handle your claim and investigate the accident by reviewing evidence like the police report and photos, and by talking to those involved. Be sure to inform your own insurance too, as your policy likely requires it.
Determining fault: The insurance adjuster will determine who was responsible based on the evidence and Texas traffic laws. Sometimes fault is clear-cut; other times, both drivers may share some blame. Texas law uses “comparative negligence,” meaning each party can be assigned a percentage of fault. As long as you are not more than 50% at fault, you can still recover compensation (though your amount will be reduced by your own percentage of fault).
Settlement negotiations: If the insurance company agrees their driver was at fault, they may offer you a settlement. This money should cover your damages: medical bills, vehicle repairs, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc. Keep in mind that initial offers are often low. You have the right to negotiate. With the help of your lawyer, you can push for a higher amount that truly covers your losses. It may take several rounds of offers and counter-offers to reach a fair settlement.
If a settlement isn’t reached: If the insurer denies your claim or won’t offer a fair amount, you can take legal action. This means filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. A lawsuit can spur further negotiations and, if needed, lead to a trial where a court decides the outcome. Remember, the statute of limitations in Texas is two years from the date of the accident – you must file any lawsuit within that period. An attorney can help ensure you meet all deadlines and advise you when filing suit is necessary.
Proving Fault in an Intersection Accident
Establishing fault in an intersection accident can be challenging, especially when it comes down to one driver’s word against another’s. Unlike rear-end collisions where liability is often clear, intersection crashes, like left-turn accidents or red light violations, frequently result in both drivers claiming they had the right of way. Without clear evidence, insurance companies may try to deny or reduce your claim, making it even more important to build a strong case.
To prove fault, you need solid evidence showing the other driver violated a traffic law or acted negligently. This can include the official police report, photographs of vehicle positions and damage, eyewitness statements, and video footage from traffic or nearby surveillance cameras. In more complex cases, accident reconstruction experts may be used to analyze skid marks, impact angles, and other physical evidence to determine what happened. The sooner you begin gathering this information—preferably with the help of a lawyer—the better chance you have of proving fault and securing the compensation you deserve.
What to Expect from Settlements and Lawsuits
Once your claim is underway, it will either end in a settlement or, if necessary, a lawsuit (and possibly a trial). Here’s what to expect with each:
Settlements: Most car accident cases in Houston are resolved through a settlement rather than a trial. In a settlement, the insurance company agrees to pay you an agreed amount, and you agree not to pursue further claims related to the accident. Settlements can be reached relatively quickly if liability is clear and you have finished treating your injuries. However, getting a fair settlement often requires negotiation. Insurance companies may start with a low offer to save money. You (with your lawyer’s help) can counter and negotiate until both sides agree on an amount that adequately covers your medical bills, property damage, lost income, and pain and suffering. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, the case is closed – you can’t ask for more later – so it’s crucial to settle only when you are satisfied with the compensation.
Lawsuits: If a fair settlement can’t be reached, you have the option to file a lawsuit. This starts with your attorney filing a legal complaint in court against the at-fault driver. The case then enters the litigation phase, where both sides gather evidence (discovery) and may continue negotiating. It’s not uncommon for a case to settle during this process, even after a lawsuit is filed. But if no agreement is made, the case will go to trial. At trial, a judge or jury will determine who was at fault and how much money (damages) to award. Lawsuits take longer than settlements – potentially many months or more than a year – and involve court procedures. The idea of going to trial can be daunting, but if you have a lawyer, they will handle the complex legal work and represent you in court. Often, just the prospect of a trial is enough to encourage the insurance company to offer a better settlement before the trial date.
Why Hire A Houston Intersection Accident Lawyer
You might be wondering if you should get a lawyer for your intersection accident case. While not every minor fender-bender requires legal help, if you suffered significant injuries or are facing complicated circumstances, hiring an experienced Houston car accident lawyer can greatly benefit you. Here’s what a lawyer can do for you:
- Thorough investigation and local know-how: A Houston-based attorney knows the local traffic laws and how accidents often happen at busy intersections. They will quickly gather evidence like the police report, any available traffic camera footage, witness statements, and expert analysis if needed. By piecing together exactly how the crash occurred, your lawyer can clearly establish the other driver’s negligence.
- Maximizing your compensation: An experienced attorney knows how to determine what your case is truly worth and isn’t afraid to fight for it. Your lawyer will account for all your damages – medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more – to calculate a fair value for your claim. Then they will negotiate assertively with the insurance company to seek the highest possible settlement. If the insurer still refuses to offer an acceptable amount, your lawyer can file a lawsuit and take the case to court. Being prepared to go to trial if necessary shows the insurer that you won’t settle for less than you deserve.
- No upfront cost – you only pay if you win: Most personal injury lawyers (including Adley Law Firm) work on a contingency fee. That means you don’t pay anything out of pocket – the lawyer only gets paid if they recover money for you. This lets you get quality legal representation without worrying about upfront costs. It also motivates your lawyer to maximize your compensation. Plus, by handling all the legal legwork and paperwork, your attorney gives you peace of mind to focus on your recovery.
Dealing with an intersection accident claim can be overwhelming, especially when you should be concentrating on healing. A knowledgeable Houston accident attorney takes that burden off your shoulders. At Adley Law Firm, we’ve helped many Houston accident victims secure the compensation they deserve – and we offer free case evaluations to discuss your options. With our team on your side, you won’t have to face the aftermath alone. Let us fight for you while you focus on healing.
