Barrington, IL (September 24th, 2024) – A woman accompanying her child on medical transport suffered injuries in an ambulance accident on Sunday night. She was taken to Advocate Shepherd Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The ambulance had lights and sirens activated, and was passing through the interaction at West North Highway and North Hough Street when it was hit by another vehicle. Due to the impact of the collision, the medical transport vehicle was rolled onto its side. The car that struck the ambulance had a green light when it proceeded into the intersection.
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The Danger of Intersection Accidents
With the convergence of traffic from multiple directions, intersections are among the most dangerous places on the road. About half of all traffic injuries, and one-quarter of all traffic-related deaths, each year are the result of intersection accidents, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
Motor vehicle accidents occurring in intersections can take many forms. The most common of these include:
- Rear-end collisions
- Angle collisions
- Head-on collisions
- T-Bone accidents
Common Causes of Intersection Accidents in Illinois
Like other types of car accidents, crashes occurring in intersections across Illinois may be caused by any number of factors. Some of the most common include:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving may include engaging in activities that take eyes off the road, hands off the steering wheel, or attention off the road. For example, using a cell phone, eating, or even changing the radio station can distract motorists, and increase the likelihood of them not seeing pedestrians, bicyclists, or other vehicles or hazards as they approach intersections.
Speeding
Driving at excessive speeds can make it more difficult to stop or otherwise avoid a collision.
Failure to Yield
Pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists anticipate that drivers will follow the traffic signals, signs, and rules. As such, failing to yield the right of way can lead to intersection accidents, as there may be confusion about what the parties present are doing.
Impaired Driving
Drugs and alcohol can cause impairments that significantly affect drivers’ ability to safely operate their vehicles. For instance, these may include slowed reaction time, decreased coordination, vision problems, and poor decision-making.
Determining Fault for Intersection Accidents
Fault for motor vehicle collisions occurring in intersections depends on several factors, including the actions of each driver and any other contributing circumstances. Evidence from the scene, accident reconstructions, witness testimony, and other such sources of information can aid in determining which involved party was at fault.
When multiple vehicles are involved in an accident, the drivers may share the fault. Under Illinois’ comparative negligence law, the percentage of fault assigned to them will impact the financial liability each driver bears for the crash.
Liability for Ambulance-Involved Accidents
As ambulances are not generally subject to the same signs, signals, and rules as other drivers, it can create difficulties when determining liability for ambulance-involved accidents.
When on an emergency call, such as in the case of the recent intersection crash in Barrington, ambulances generally have the right of way. Therefore, unless the ambulance driver was driving negligently or recklessly, the car’s driver is typically at-fault in these situations.
If the ambulance is not on an emergency call, then drivers have the same responsibilities as other motorists to adhere to the traffic signs, signals, and rules.
Legal Rights for Injured Victims in Illinois
Victims injured in intersection accidents may be entitled to compensation for their injury-associated losses. To this end, they may seek to recover for:
- Medical Expenses: The costs associated with treating the accident-caused injuries, including emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, and follow-up office visits.
- Lost Wages: Sometimes, injuries suffered in intersection accidents may keep victims out of work, or preventing them from returning altogether. Those injured may seek to recover these losses.
- Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages, available through a car accident settlement or lawsuit, include the non-tangible losses, such as the physical and emotional pain and suffering the accident and resulting injuries caused.
How Long Do You Have to File an Intersection Accident Lawsuit?
With few exceptions, intersection accident victims have up to two years from the date of their crashes to take legal action. Filing outside the statute of limitations may cost those injured their opportunity to pursue compensation.
After an intersection accident in Illinois, you have rights. For more than 30 years, our car accident lawyer, Bogdan Martinovich, has helped clients like you recover the maximum compensation for your injury-associated losses. Call 847-996-1350 today for a FREE consultation.
