Traffic circles, most commonly referred to as a roundabout or an intersection, can help prevent fatal wrecks, and studies show that there is a 75% fewer chance of injury crashes. However, there is a much darker side to having roundabouts. This is because they increase the number of non-fatal crashes on the road. Traffic circles in the United States are one of the causes of car accidents, as many drivers are not aware of the right of way when approaching roundabouts.
According to Bloomberg, recent studies showed a 12% increase in car accidents at roundabouts. Hold on tight as our car accident lawyers explain roundabout collisions causing personal injury cases and receiving financial compensation.
Did You Get in an Accident in a Traffic Circle? Reach Out to Ehline Law for a Free Consultation
Most accidents are caused due to confused drivers, causing serious property damage. However, this does not mean that there are no injury crashes at roundabouts. Negligence and distracted driving can easily cause an injury in a motor vehicle accident at a roundabout, intersection, state highway, or anywhere else.
Our car accident lawyers in Los Angeles see unique accidents often. One of the rarer in CA is roundabout accidents. If you got into a car accident at a traffic circle that was not your fault, contact Ehline Law and our traffic circle accident attorneys today. You may be eligible for compensation.
The Importance of Traffic Circles
Stop signs and traffic lights are some of the most commonly used road techniques to maintain the flow of traffic and prevent accidents. However, over the years, minimal insurance coverage has decreased, resulting in more vehicles on the road.
Reckless, DUI and negligent drivers have seriously threatened pedestrians and vehicles around them. Not stopping at stop signs and violating traffic light rules have led the Department of Transportation to embark on a journey to build roundabouts.
Roundabouts, or traffic circles, are easy to build, they look great, and they manage traffic efficiently.
- As of 2020, the country has around 7,900 roundabouts across all the states, suggesting that roundabouts are much safer, preventing fatal crashes.
Accidents at Traffic Circles in California
Although traffic circles reduce the risk of fatal car crashes, they do increase the number of non-fatal crashes in a city. The chances of fatal car crashes may be low, but they are not zero, which means there are still devastating car accidents occurring in traffic circles.
Let’s look at the Long Beach traffic circle as an example. With the capacity to accommodate 6,000 vehicles per hour, the Long Beach traffic circle plays a vital role in the smooth flow of traffic in the city. However, it is also ranked as the number one intersection for car accidents.
The chief engineer behind the Long Beach traffic circle stated on record that the roundabout is too large, resulting in overspeeding and confusion, leading to traffic accidents. Let’s look at some of the accidents in traffic circles in California.
An Airborne Car Accident
On February 13, 2020, surveillance footage showed a DUI driver crashing into the Long Beach roundabout at 100 mph, causing the vehicle to go airborne for a few seconds before coming crashing down.
Witnesses reported to the local authorities that a woman exited the vehicle after a few minutes and escaped the accident scene like nothing ever happened. However, upon further investigation, the woman had no injuries from the accident but got arrested on DUI charges.
The Temecula Roundabout
On November 16, 2021, a drunk driver crashed into the Temecula roundabout at high speeds in a 2003 Chrysler. The accident left the driver with serious, life-threatening injuries. The local authorities had to call an ambulance to transport the injured driver to a nearby hospital for immediate medical help.
Lafayette Cyclist Roundabout Death
On October 25, 2021, the death of the renowned cyclist Joe Shami at the roundabout at Olympic Boulevard prompted the grieving family to file a claim ($25,000) against the City of Lafayette for wrongful death due to improper roundabout design.
The accident occurred when a woman in her SUV refused to yield and give the right of way to the cyclist, eventually running him over. The cyclist got rushed to the hospital; however, the injuries sustained were too much, resulting in his death. Despite the bright clothing and illuminated helmet, the driver was unable to see the cyclist, resulting in the accident.
Traffic accidents at roundabouts are more common than you think. In the United States, many drivers are unaware of yielding and giving the right of way to other drivers, resulting in increased accidents and deaths. Securing an attorney-client relationship with Ehline Law and our traffic circle accident attorneys gives you the upper hand when filing claims and dealing with insurance companies.
Common Causes of Traffic Accidents at Roundabouts in California
One of the greatest benefits of roundabouts is that they completely remove head-on collisions.
However, there are other types of accidents, like broadside collisions, that can occur on a roundabout for the following reasons:
- Speeding
- Unaware of yield signs
- Not in the proper lane
- Braking while in the traffic circle
- Refusal to yield and give way
- Not leaving enough space between vehicles
- Hard turns upon missing exits.
How to Navigate Around a Traffic Circle Safely
The California Department of Motor Vehicles understands the confusion among drivers when it comes to roundabouts and provides four easy steps to navigate your way around one.
Here are the guidelines to follow when in a roundabout:
- Ensure you follow the signs at a roundabout and road markings to navigate around a traffic circle easily.
- Before pulling into a roundabout, look around to determine if your vehicle has enough room to enter.
- Whether you’re making a turn or leaving the roundabout, always ensure a proper turn signal to warn other drivers of your next move. When turning, be cautious because other drivers may not always yield and give right of way.
- Upon missing an exit, go around the roundabout rather than making a hard turn or stepping on the brakes.
Although roundabout accidents are usually less serious, they do occur. Fortunately, injured victims may be eligible for compensation, and having an experienced personal injury attorney can increase the chances of getting one.
Reach Out, Now
If you got into a car accident that was not your fault, contact us at (213) 596 9642 for a free consultation with our legal experts. Our personal injury lawyer can provide you with legal advice, file claims, and negotiate with the insurance adjuster.
We’ll help you get fair compensation for your losses (medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and more.). Contact us now for more information from our experts on roundabout accidents.
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