Intersections pose a notoriously high risk to motorists, no matter where they are located. One driver is trying to go left, another straight and another right. Throw in additional lanes, pedestrians, bicyclists, emergency vehicles, bus stops and more, and it’s no wonder that so many serious crashes happen at intersections.
Many of these accidents occur when drivers violate ORC 4511.41 (right-of-way rule at intersections) and ORC 4511.36 (rules for turns at intersections).
Recently, Cleveland Magazine ranked Cleveland’s Five Most Dangerous Intersections. Among those cited:
- Lorain Avenue and I-90. On average, this intersection on the West Side has had 128 observed crashes per year between 2014 and 2016, based on city accident reports and data from the Ohio Department of Transportation.
- I-77 and I-90. This stretch is heavily trafficked by daily commuters, with congestion increased by the large numbers of visitors to the downtown area attractions, such as sporting arenas, museums and other attractions.
- Bratenahl Road and I-90 East. There were approximately 180 observed crashes at this intersection, often stemming from detours around the Eddy Road bridge construction. Many motorists involved in collisions were unfamiliar with the construction pattern.
- Cedar Road and I-271. This intersection is hazardous largely due to the backups that occur on 271 on the crowded Cedar-Brainard road exit. More lanes in the future should help alleviate these issues.
- I-271 south of Fairmount Boulevard. This results in some 183 collisions annually. This area is prone to collisions because many of the express lanes exit into local lanes, and vehicles must cross four lanes within just under one mile to get to their locations.
Determining Fault in a Cleveland Intersection Crash
When a collision occurs at an intersection, one of the most difficult elements is ascertaining who is at fault. Ohio is a “fault state” or “tort state” when it comes to auto accident insurance. That means that when you suffer injuries as a result of a crash with another vehicle, you will have to prove fault in order to collect bodily injury coverage from their insurer or UM/UIM coverage from your own insurer. Even if you are partially at fault, you may still recover damages, but they may be proportionately reduced based on your proportion of fault, per ORC 2315.33.
In intersection collisions, a lot of factors can be at play, so sifting through the various witness accounts to get to the truth can be difficult. Photographs from the scene (including tire marks on the pavement) and video surveillance from the traffic signal or nearby business can be beneficial. Some witnesses may have even recorded a short clip of the incident on their phone.
If you or a loved one was injured in a crash at an intersection, you should speak to an experienced attorney at Merriman Legal, LLC to discuss your options in pursuing a claim.
