Intersection crashes represent some of the most complex and dangerous traffic incidents in Allentown, often resulting in severe injuries due to the high-impact nature of T-bone and angle collisions. If you’ve been injured in an intersection accident in Allentown, the experienced intersection accident attorneys at Munley Law understand these cases’ unique challenges and have successfully recovered millions in compensation for intersection crash victims.
Intersection accidents require specialized legal expertise to navigate complex right-of-way laws, analyze traffic signal timing, and determine liability when multiple vehicles and traffic control devices are involved. Our dedicated Allentown auto accident lawyers bring decades of experience investigating these intricate crashes and know how to prove fault in Pennsylvania’s busiest intersections.
Contact our Allentown office today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your intersection accident case and learn how we can help you secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
How Dangerous Are Intersection Accidents?
Allentown’s busy intersections create unique hazards where multiple traffic streams converge, creating complex scenarios that often result in serious crashes. Major intersections along Hamilton Street, Lehigh Street, and routes connecting to Interstate 78 and Route 22 see heavy traffic volumes that increase the likelihood of dangerous intersection collisions.
Pennsylvania’s right-of-way laws become critical in intersection accident cases, as determining which driver had the legal right to proceed through the intersection often determines liability. These laws cover scenarios involving traffic signals, stop signs, yield signs, and uncontrolled intersections, each creating different legal obligations for approaching drivers.
The physics of intersection crashes often results in more severe injuries than other collision types. T-bone crashes, where one vehicle strikes another’s side, frequently cause serious injuries to occupants on the impact side who have less structural protection than in frontal crashes. Angle collisions and head-on crashes at intersections can result in devastating injuries due to the combined speed of both vehicles.
Common Causes of Allentown Intersection Accidents
Running Red Lights represents one of the most dangerous intersection violations. Drivers consciously choose to proceed through intersections after signals have changed. Pennsylvania law is clear about drivers’ obligations to stop for red signals, making liability determination more straightforward in these cases.
Failing to Yield the Right-of-Way occurs when drivers fail to properly assess traffic conditions before entering intersections. This includes failing to yield to oncoming traffic during left turns, not yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks, or proceeding when other vehicles have the legal right-of-way.
Improper Left Turns create particularly complex liability scenarios, as turning drivers must yield to oncoming traffic while navigating intersection timing. Pennsylvania courts have established specific precedents for determining fault in left-turn intersection crashes.
Rolling Through Stop Signs or failing to come to complete stops before proceeding through intersections violates Pennsylvania’s vehicle code and frequently leads to side-impact collisions with devastating consequences.
Distracted Driving at Intersections has become increasingly common as drivers focus on devices rather than complex intersection traffic patterns, leading to failures to observe traffic signals or other vehicles’ right-of-way.
Proving Fault in Intersection Accidents
Successfully proving liability in intersection crashes requires a comprehensive investigation of traffic control devices, signal timing, and witness testimony. Munley Law’s approach begins with a detailed analysis of intersection design and traffic signal operation, often involving traffic engineering experts who can testify about proper intersection function and signal timing.
Traffic camera footage provides vital evidence, capturing the exact sequence of events leading to intersection crashes. We systematically investigate all potential sources of video evidence, including municipal traffic cameras, nearby business security systems, and dashboard cameras from other vehicles.
Witness testimony becomes particularly valuable in intersection cases, as multiple observers often have different vantage points of the crash sequence. We conduct thorough witness interviews to establish which driver entered the intersection first, the status of traffic signals, and other critical facts that determine right-of-way.
Physical evidence analysis focuses on vehicle damage patterns, skid marks, and debris fields that indicate vehicle speeds and impact angles. This evidence helps reconstruct the crash sequence and often contradicts inaccurate driver statements about intersection accidents.
Police reports in intersection cases require careful analysis, as responding officers must determine fault based on limited information and may not thoroughly investigate complex right-of-way scenarios. Our attorneys understand how to build cases beyond initial police determinations when necessary.
Complex Liability Issues in Intersection Crashes
Intersection accidents often involve multiple potentially liable parties, creating complex legal scenarios that require specialized expertise. Municipal liability may arise when traffic signal malfunctions, inadequate signage, or poor intersection design contribute to crashes. Pennsylvania law provides specific procedures for pursuing claims against government entities responsible for intersection safety.
Comparative negligence frequently applies in intersection cases where both drivers may bear some responsibility for crashes. Pennsylvania’s 51% rule means that even drivers contributing to intersection accidents can recover compensation if they are less than 51% at fault. Our attorneys understand how to minimize clients’ comparative fault while maximizing compensation.
Multiple vehicle intersection crashes create additional complexity when determining how liability is distributed among several drivers. Chain reaction crashes that begin with one driver’s violation but involve multiple vehicles require careful analysis to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.
Commercial vehicle intersection accidents often involve additional liable parties, including trucking companies, cargo owners, or vehicle maintenance providers. These cases require understanding federal trucking regulations and how they apply to intersection driving obligations.
Pedestrian accidents at intersections create complex liability scenarios where multiple parties may share responsibility. While Pennsylvania law generally gives pedestrians the right-of-way in marked crosswalks, liability can be complicated when pedestrians cross against signals, outside crosswalks, or in poorly designed intersection areas. Drivers must exercise reasonable care to avoid striking pedestrians even when pedestrians violate traffic laws. Additionally, municipalities may bear liability when inadequate crosswalk design, poor lighting, or malfunctioning pedestrian signals contribute to intersection pedestrian accidents.
Severe Injuries Common in Intersection Crashes
The perpendicular nature of many intersection collisions creates injury patterns distinct from other crash types. Side-impact injuries frequently affect the head, neck, and torso of occupants on the collision side, often resulting in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal organ injuries.
T-bone crashes provide minimal protection for occupants compared to frontal collisions, as vehicle sides have less structural reinforcement and shorter crumple zones. This often results in more severe injuries even at lower speeds compared to other collision types.
Multiple impact injuries occur when intersection crashes involve several vehicles or when initial impacts cause vehicles to rotate and strike additional objects. These complex crash sequences can cause numerous injury patterns that require comprehensive medical evaluation and treatment.
Pedestrian injuries in intersection accidents are often catastrophic, as intersections represent conflict points where vehicles and pedestrians share space. Pennsylvania’s pedestrian right-of-way laws create specific obligations for drivers approaching crosswalks and intersection areas.
Why Choose Munley Law for Intersection Accident Cases
Intersection accident cases require personal injury attorneys to understand traffic engineering, signal timing analysis, and complex right-of-way laws. Munley Law’s intersection accident attorneys work with traffic safety experts, accident reconstruction specialists, and municipal engineering consultants who can analyze intersection design and operation to support our clients’ cases.
Our team has extensive experience handling intersection accidents involving Pennsylvania’s most complex intersections, from simple stop-sign controlled intersections to multi-lane signalized intersections with dedicated turn lanes and pedestrian signals. We understand how these different intersection types create different legal obligations and liability scenarios.
Munley Law has successfully recovered substantial compensation for intersection accident victims throughout the Lehigh Valley. We bring this proven track record to every intersection crash case, fighting to ensure that negligent drivers and responsible parties face full accountability for their failures to observe right-of-way laws.
If you’ve been injured in an intersection accident in Allentown, contact Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation with our specialized intersection accident attorneys. We will evaluate your case and explain how we can help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your intersection crash injuries.
