As experienced Vancouver motor accident lawyers, we know that a large number of crashes occur at intersections, and that crashes at intersections often result in the most significant personal injury. In fact, according to Transport Canada, about 30% of fatalities and 40% of serious injuries occur as a result of crashes at intersections.
Why are intersections so dangerous?
Intersections require drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists to interact in a very complex way. The crossing and turning manoeuvres that are necessary at intersections create increased opportunities for motor accidents. Vancouver lawyers deal with a larger number of these accidents than lawyers in the rest of British Columbia because the Lower Mainland is so densely populated. There are more intersections and more people in the Lower Mainland, so more opportunities for motor accidents here. On average, there are 87,000 crashes each year at intersections throughout British Columbia – about 68,000 of those accidents occur at intersections in the Lower Mainland. www.icbc.com
Which intersections are the most dangerous?
Each year, ICBC releases a list of the top 10 crash intersections in the Lower Mainland. According to the most recent list www.icbc.com, these are the most dangerous intersections in the Lower Mainland:
Brunette Avenue at the Trans-Canada Highway (Coquitlam and New Westminster)
Trans-Canada Highway and Willingdon Avenue (Burnaby)
264 Street and 56 Avenue at the Trans-Canada Highway (Langley)
Knight Street and SE Marine Drive (Vancouver)
Boundary Road and Grandview Highway (Burnaby and Vancouver)
Broadway Street and Mary Hill Bypass (Port Coquitlam)
Kensington Avenue and Trans-Canada Highway (Burnaby)
88 Avenue and King George Boulevard (Surrey)
232 Street and 72 Avenue at the Trans-Canada Highway (Langley)
Main Street and Terminal Avenue (Vancouver)
How can you stay updated on road accidents?
In addition to releasing a list of the top 10 crash intersections, ICBC also compiles accident data to create an interactive map showing how many crashes happen at intersections in the Lower Mainland. This map is useful as it allows you to search by street name, so you can stay updated on the number of accidents that occur at an intersection close to your home, or on your route to work, for example. You may want to modify your route to avoid more accident-prone intersections.
How can you avoid accidents at intersections?
Whether the intersection is one of the top 10 most dangerous or not, here are simple strategies from our Vancouver motor accident lawyers that you can use to avoid a motor accident:
Before entering an intersection, watch for cross traffic, even if you have the right-of-way. In particular, watch for vehicles rushing through intersections at the end of a red light.
Always be on the look-out for pedestrians and cyclists before entering an intersection or turning at an intersection.
Be patient. Don’t speed at intersections or rush to get through on a yellow light.
Try to anticipate what other drivers might do as you approach intersections, particularly if you are altering your path approaching an intersection.
Communicate with other drivers by using your vehicle’s turn signals properly.
Avoid all distractions – all your focus is required at an intersection.
What do you do if you have been injured in a motor accident? If you have been injured in a motor accident, Vancouver lawyers at the offices of Bronson Jones & Company LLP can help. Our firm has over 30 years experience dealing with ICBC and other insurers. We are a plaintiffs-only, motor vehicle injury law firm and 100% of our work is representing injured victims. Contact us toll-free at 1-855-852-5100 or call one of our 13 offices throughout the Lower Mainland for a free initial consultation. Representing vehicle accident victims – It's all we do.