Intersection Accidents in LA: Who’s at Fault?

Why Intersection Accidents Are So Common in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is a city in constant motion, and with that comes a high concentration of busy intersections, many of which rank among themost dangerous in LA. Whether it’s Wilshire Boulevard’s constant congestion, Sunset Boulevard’s sharp curves, or the high-speed crossings on the 101 freeway exits, these junctions are prime locations for collisions.

Intersection accidents are often more complex than other crashes because they involve multiple lanes, turning vehicles, crosswalks, and sometimes unclear traffic control devices. Determiningwho’s at fault can be tricky, and that’s where an experienced intersection crash lawyer in Los Angeles becomes essential.

Why Fault Is Hard to Prove in Intersection Collisions

Unlike rear-end crashes, where fault is usually apparent, intersection accidents often involve conflicting accounts of what happened. Factors that make proving liability more challenging include:

• Multiple drivers – Two or more vehicles may share responsibility.
  
• Different traffic controls – Stop signs for some lanes, traffic lights for others.
  
• Unclear right-of-way – Especially in unmarked or poorly designed intersections.
  
• Simultaneous violations – Speeding, running a red light, and unsafe turns occurring at once.
  

Insurance companies know how to use this complexity to their advantage, often denying or reducing claims without solid evidence.

Common Types of Intersection Accidents

In LA, some intersection crash scenarios occur more often than others:

• T-bone collisions – Often from running a red light or failing to yield.
  
• Left-turn crashes – When a driver misjudges the oncoming traffic speed.
  
• Rear-end collisions – Drivers stopping suddenly for a yellow or red light.
  
• Pedestrian and cyclist impacts – When turning, drivers overlook crosswalk users.
  
• Multiple vehicle pile-ups – Especially at high-speed junctions or freeway off-ramps.
  

Dangerous Intersections in LA

Specific locations are notorious for their accident rates. Examples ofdangerous intersections in LA include:

• Vineland Avenue & Magnolia Boulevard (North Hollywood) – Heavy traffic and limited visibility.
  
• Hollywood Boulevard & Highland Avenue – Tourist congestion and complex turn lanes.
  
• La Cienega Boulevard & Olympic Boulevard – Frequent red-light running.
  
• Vermont Avenue & 3rd Street – Pedestrian-heavy with busy bus routes.
  
• Sepulveda Boulevard & Sherman Way – High-speed approaches and poor sightlines.
  

Your lawyer’s familiarity with these locations can be an advantage, especially when using local crash data to strengthen your case.

How Fault Is Determined in Intersection Crashes

To prove fault, yourintersection crash lawyer in Los Angeles will use a combination of legal knowledge and investigative tools. Key methods include:

1. Traffic Camera Footage

Many LA intersections have red-light or surveillance cameras. Footage can show:

• Which driver entered the intersection on red?
  
• Speed of vehicles at impact.
  
• Whether turns were made illegally.
  

2. Eyewitness Statements

Witnesses, especially pedestrians, cyclists, or nearby drivers, can offer neutral accounts of what they saw.

3. Police Reports

Officers often note contributing factors such as speed, distraction, or impairment.

4. Vehicle Damage Analysis

The location and severity of damage can help reconstruct the crash sequence.

5. Accident Reconstruction Experts

Specialists can use skid marks, debris patterns, and physics to model what happened.

The Role of Comparative Negligence in California

California followspure comparative negligence. This means:

• You can still recover compensation if you were partially at fault.
  
• Your percentage of fault reduces your recovery.
  

Example: If you were awarded $100,000 but found 25% at fault, you would receive $75,000.

This is why your lawyer will focus on minimizing any fault attributed to you while highlighting the other party’s responsibility.

Common Causes of Intersection Accidents

Intersection crashes in LA often involve:

• Red-light running – A significant cause of T-bone collisions.
  
• Distracted driving – Texting or using GPS instead of watching the road.
  
• Speeding – Especially to “beat” a yellow light.
  
• Improper lane changes – Swerving into turn lanes without signaling.
  
• Failure to yield – When merging or making left turns.
  
• Driving under the influence – Alcohol or drugs impair judgment and reaction times.
  

Steps to Take After an Intersection Accident

Your actions after the crash can make or break your case:

1. Call 911 – Ensure medical attention and a police report are completed.
   
2. Get Medical Care – Even if you feel okay, injuries can appear later.
   
3. Gather Evidence – Take photos of vehicles, injuries, traffic signals, and skid marks.
   
4. Obtain Witness Information – Names, phone numbers, and statements.
   
5. Avoid Admitting Fault – Let the investigation determine liability.
   
6. Contact an Intersection Crash Lawyer – Early legal help can preserve critical evidence.

Types of Compensation You Can Recover

If your case is successful, you may recover damages for:

• Medical expenses – Current and future treatment.
  
• Lost wages – Income missed during recovery.
  
• Loss of earning capacity – If you cannot return to your prior work.
  
• Pain and suffering – Physical pain and emotional distress.
  
• Property damage – Repair or replacement of your vehicle.
  

Special Considerations for Intersection Accidents Involving Pedestrians or Cyclists

Intersections are high-risk areas for non-motorists. If you were a pedestrian or cyclist injured in a crash:

• You may have the right-of-way under California law.
  
• Fault may be easier to establish if the driver violated crosswalk laws.
  
• YourCar crash lawyer in Los Angeles can use pedestrian safety statutes to strengthen your case.
  

How Road Design Can Contribute to Fault

Not all intersection accidents are purely driver-related. Poor road design can play a role, such as:

• Obstructed sightlines from signage or vegetation.
  
• Confusing signal timing causes driver hesitation.
  
• Poor lighting reduces visibility at night.
  
• Lack of dedicated turn lanes creates traffic conflicts.
  

If design defects contributed to your crash, you may have a claim against the city or state, but government claims in California have strictsix-month filing deadlines.

Mid-Article Call to Action

If you’ve been hurt at one of thedangerous intersections in LA, don’t let insurance companies downplay your injuries. Contact our intersection crash lawyers in Los Angeles for a free consultation. We’ll fight to hold negligent drivers and even government agencies accountable.

Proving Your Case with Technology

Modern intersection crash claims often rely on digital evidence:

• Dashcam footage – From your vehicle or nearby drivers.
  
• Traffic signal data – Logs showing light cycles and timing.
  
• Cell phone records – Proving the other driver was distracted.
  
• Vehicle “black box” data – Recording speed, braking, and steering at the moment of impact.
  

Common Defenses in Intersection Accident Cases

The at-fault driver or their insurer may argue:

• You entered the intersection illegally.
  
• You were speeding or distracted.
  
• You failed to yield.
  
• Another vehicle caused the chain of events leading to the crash.
  

Your LA injury lawyer’s job is to counter these claims with solid, objective evidence.

Time Limits for Filing an Intersection Accident Claim in California

• Personal injury claims – Generally,two years from the accident date.
  
• Government claims –Six months to file an administrative claim if poor road design is involved.
  

Failing to meet these deadlines can permanently bar you from recovering damages.

Why You Need an Intersection Crash Lawyer in Los Angeles

An experienced attorney can:

• Investigate the accident using local crash data and experts.
  
• Obtain and analyze traffic camera footage.
  
• Identify all liable parties, including government entities.
  
• Negotiate with insurers for fair settlements.
  
• Take your case to trial if necessary.
  

Given LA’s complex traffic patterns and legal rules, local experience is critical.

Intersection accidents in Los Angeles can leave you with devastating injuries and complicated legal questions. Whether your crash happened at one of thedangerous intersections in LA or a lesser-known crossing, determining fault is essential to getting the compensation you deserve.

Our intersection crash lawyers in Los Angeles have decades of experience uncovering the truth in these complex cases. We’ll investigate thoroughly, handle all negotiations, and fight relentlessly for your rights.

Call us today for yourfree, no-obligation consultation and take the first step toward justice.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What if both drivers blame each other?
   Your lawyer will rely on physical evidence, witness accounts, and technology to establish fault.
2. Can I recover damages if I was partly at fault?
   Yesunder California’s comparative negligence rule, you can recover reduced damages.
3. How long will my case take?
   Many intersection accident claims settle in months, but complex cases can take over a year.
4. Do intersection cameras record audio?
   Nomost records only video, but that’s often enough to prove violations.
5. What if the traffic light were malfunctioning?
   You may have a claim against the city or state for negligent maintenance.