Intersection ACCIDENT LAWYERS
Intersection Collisions – Vancouver ICBC Personal Injury Claims Lawyers
Bungay Law Office – Vancouver: intersection collision lawyers with over 11 years experience.
Who is liable when a collision occurs at an intersection?
We have represented drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents in intersections in Vancouver, and throughout BC, for more than ten years. Whether you are at an intersection with lights, a crosswalk, or a stop sign, there are specific rules for the specific types of intersection. Motor vehicle accidents at intersections often cause a lot of misunderstandings as to liability; we are here to help.
Bungay Law Office
(ICBC injury claims lawyers)
Vancouver Intersection Accident Lawyers
Call us today for a free consultation 604-512-0301
*We now have an office in Surrey,
click for information: Surrey intersection accident lawyers/ICBC claims
Fault for an accident at an intersection depends on the facts
There are many sources of information regarding the legality of actions at intersections. However, it is still difficult to determine fault without looking at your specific case. Each intersection collision is different, and we will look at past decisions of judges to help you determine whether you are liable or not. We recommend that you do not make assumptions of fault without speaking to a an experienced intersection accident lawyer. You may be surprised to learn that you are not liable – or only partially liable for the collision.
Who has the right of way – the vehicle turning left or the vehicle going straight?
One of the most common type of intersection collisions that occur are those between vehicles taking a left, and those driving straight through an intersection. In Carich v. Cook, the judge determined that the question that the court needs to consider is whether another vehicle constituted an immediate hazard. If the vehicle is a hazard, do not make the turn. If the vehicle is not a hazard, then make the turn. If you do make the turn, you have to carefully assess the situation with each new lane that is entered. This implies that you have to keep looking out for hazards at all times, not only when making the initial decision to initiate the turn.
Obstructed views – proceed with caution
Although the left turning vehicle has a duty to make the turn safely, the left turning driver has rights as well. An experienced Vancouver intersection collision lawyer can explain to you what rights vehicles have in relation to each other, depending on the facts. For example, if the intersection is obstructed, do not make assumptions about the intersection. Keep an eye out for all traffic and act accordingly. If you are turning and your view is blocked, wait until you can see all lanes. If you are going straight and your view is blocked, slow down and approach the intersection with caution. An obstructed view is a red flag that All drivers should be extra careful when deciding how to proceed.
Stale lights – when to stop and when to go
If your light turns amber and other vehicles around you manage to stop in time, this may be held against you if you cause a collision in an intersection. In these cases, the driver that runs the stale light is usually held at least partially at fault. In some cases, they may be 100% at fault. If you hire us as your lawyer, we will investigate the scenario with diligence to help you avoid liability. This includes speaking to witnesses, analyzing the scene of the accident, and obtaining police reports. We can be the difference in your case.
Bungay Law Office
(ICBC injury claims lawyers)
Vancouver Intersection Accident Lawyers
Call us today for a free consultation 604-512-0301
Intersection collision lawyers for Vancouver and all of BC
Do not drive in restricted lanes – this will be held against you
If you are driving in a restricted lane and you get in an intersection collision, you may be held at fault simply because you were in the wrong lane. For example, a vehicle going straight in a HOV lane restricted to buses and bicycles can be held liable even if they were driving straight through a green light.
Vancouver intersection collisions often occur when it’s foggy, raining, or snowing… keep the weather in mind
A court will consider the weather conditions when assessing liability. If you are driving straight through an intersection and hit a vehicle that is turning, the weather and road conditions will be a factor in the decision making process. For example, a judge awarded 50/50 liability in a similar situation because the straight through driver was not driving safely given the conditions.
In one case, a vehicle was attempting a left hand turn on a highway. The area was covered in dense fog and the visibility was not good. The left turning vehicle did not appreciate that a vehicle was travelling down the highway when it commenced its turn, resulting in an intersection collision. In the end, the court held that the left turning vehicle should not have proceeded when it was unsafe to do so and the straight through driver failed to drive safe given the conditions.
Broken lights at intersections – know the rules
If the traffic signal lights at an intersection are broken, you need to look to your right. Those to your right have the right of way. Motor vehicle accidents resulting from broken traffic signal lights may require a lawsuit against other entities, such as the city which operates the traffic signal lights. You should speak to an experienced intersection collision lawyer, to help get to the bottom of why the motor vehicle accident occurred.
Flashing green lights at an intersection – pedestrians have priority
If you approach an intersection with flashing green lights, you must watch out for anyone crossing because they have priority. You should automatically slow down when you approach the intersection and proceed cautiously. If a collision with a pedestrian ensues, you should hire an experienced intersection collision lawyer to look at the circumstances surrounding the internet collision.
Bungay Law Office
(ICBC injury claims lawyers)
Vancouver Intersection Accident Lawyers
Call us today for a free consultation 604-512-0301
Intersection collision lawyers for Vancouver and all of BC
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