American roads are dangerous generally, but intersections are especially dangerous locations. Every intersection is essentially an opportunity for mistakes and misconduct to lead to collisions. People approaching an intersection are at risk of a side-impact crash.
When a crash occurs while one vehicle turns, the collision is more likely to have dire consequences. Many fatal crashes occur at busy intersections, which has led to urban planners adjusting their approach to controlling traffic where busy roads intersect. In recent years, urban designers and similar professionals have begun to prioritize the installation of roundabouts over the use of traditional intersections.
Roundabouts theoretically allowed the traffic to continue flowing while limiting opportunities for side-impact collisions. Despite the safety gains associated with roundabout installation, crashes can still occur within roundabouts. What factors contribute to roundabout crash risk?
Lack of familiarity
Some motorists, especially older drivers with minimal time at the wheel in recent years, may be unsure of how to navigate a former intersection that is now a roundabout. They might stop unnecessarily, leading to a rear-end crash caused by drivers who don’t expect them to stop moving.
They might also make the mistake of turning the wrong way into the roundabout, creating an opportunity for a dangerous collision. People who don’t understand how to navigate roundabouts can make mistakes that lead to wrecks.
Inappropriate driving choices
Even drivers who understand how to navigate roundabouts in theory can make mistakes in traffic that cause crashes. They might maintain an inappropriately high speed, leading to them losing control. Such choices are especially dangerous for semi-trucks and long combination vehicles that could roll over while rounding a curve rapidly.
Other times, drivers may fail to properly signal their intentions to exit the roundabout at a specific location. That can also lead to a preventable crash. Balding tires and worn brakes could also compromise vehicle control in a roundabout, especially if drivers don’t slow down enough before entering the roundabout.
When crashes occur at busy roundabouts, those involved may have grounds to hold another driver accountable for their harm. Thankfully, documenting the circumstances of a motor vehicle collision and reviewing crash outcomes with a personal injury attorney can potentially help people limit their financial losses after a collision in a roundabout.