Who Is Responsible for an Accident at a Junction?
Many accidents occur at intersections in Alaska. These accidents cause injuries that could be life-altering, even fatal for victims. When an accident occurs at an intersection, the question of who is at fault often arises.
Many factors contribute to an intersection accident, such as failing to follow traffic signs and stoplights or following another car too closely.
According to Alaska state law, drivers must exercise ordinary care when approaching or entering an intersection. If the driver does not follow this duty and fails to yield, the careless driver may be considered at fault for the accident.
If a driver is found negligent, they are held accountable for injuries or damages found.If you have suffered injuries or property damages at a junction accident, you may have a claim.
Who Is to Be Held Liable When Accident Occurs at a Junction?
Drivers in Alaska are familiar with the rules and regulations of the road. However, even with knowledge of the law, accidents occasionally happen at junctions.
According to Alaska State law, drivers are required to yield the right of way to all vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles etc., already within the intersection, especially when making a turn. Failure to yield the right of way is considered a traffic infraction and may result in a fine.
Traffic lights are also regulated by Alaska State law. Drivers may go straight or turn right when the signal light is green. When the traffic light turns yellow, drivers must stop before the marked limit line. If the intersection has no marked limit line, drivers must stop if they cannot clear the intersection completely by driving entirely through it.
Drivers must also come to a complete stop at the red light, regardless of whether the other traffic signals permit their turn or not. Failure to follow these rules, one can be held liable for the accident.
The Legal Concept of Negligence at a Junction
At a junction, vehicles are expected to cross paths. This is an everyday event on our roads, but finding out who was at fault is not always straightforward. To establish the guilty driver, an investigation has to be conducted.
Everyone needs to follow all the laid down rules when using a junction. In many cases, there are several parties involved in the accident.
The most common accident at a junction is when two vehicles cross paths and collides, injuring the drivers and passengers. When such an accident occurs, it is up to the investigating officers to figure out exactly what happened, which can be done through interviewing eyewitnesses and conducting a vehicle inspection.
The concept of negligence plays a significant role in such an investigation, as police officers seek to establish who failed to take all reasonable steps to avoid crashing. One common concept use is comparative negligence.
Comparative Negligence
Here, the police will establish the level of fault of each party involved. Once they have established who was responsible for each party's part, the investigating team considers each party's degree of fault and apportions damages accordingly.
When both parties share equal blame for the accident, this is termed as joint liability, which means that each party is liable for the full extent of the damages caused.
Alaska is recognized for its unique road system, that’s why it’s vital to seek legal help in case of an accident.The truth is that, the insurance company will avoid paying out compensation if the injured party was aware of any risks associated with their actions but still took them.
Knowing the rules may sometimes be a little tricky. Therefore, it would be prudent to contact Alaska Accident Attorney to help you out.
How to Ensure You're Safe at the Road Junction
Below are some tips that will help you out on the road when driving, walking, or cycling through a junction:
- Ensure that you are safe; maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you.
- Don’t drink and drive
- Ensure that your car is in an excellent state to be driven. For instance, the lights are working well.
- Stick to the speed limits
- Stop at the correct position and wait for the green light to pass.
- Avoid distractions. If you need to answer a call, make sure to pull over
- For pedestrians and cyclists, ensure you are visible when passing through a junction. This includes wearing reflective clothes in the dark and having bike lights to ensure you are seen at night.
Staying safe at junctions is all about obeying traffic rules.
If you obeyed the rules but another driver was careless enough to cause you injuries, you may have a claim.
Cases for accidents at junctions are tricky as there is so much blame.The insurance company may also deny your claim. To be in a safe state, it’s vital to speak to an experienced car accident lawyer.