Who Is At Fault in an Intersection Accident in Texas?

Managing the fallout from a car accident, especially one at an intersection, can be a complex and trying process. In these kinds of circumstances, a vital question emerges: Who is responsible for a junction collision in Texas? 

Anyone trying to get paid for their injuries and damages must first understand the guidelines controlling fault.

Comparative-fault rules and right-of-way laws control fault in an intersection accident in Texas. Although under Texas’s pure comparative negligence, even a driver who is partially at fault can recover damages reduced by their portion of responsibility, drivers who run red lights, fail to yield on left turns, or ignore stop signs usually carry the primary liability. 

Significant instances include left-turn crashes, red-light running, and failing to stop at four-way stops. 

Establishing liability requires gathering crash-scene evidence, including traffic-signal data, witness interviews, and intersection surveillance. 

Under Texas law, a League City intersection accident lawyer can negotiate with insurance or file a lawsuit to get reasonable compensation, negotiate full damages for medical bills and lost income, and negotiate the complexity.

Why Intersections in League City Are High-Risk

League City’s growth has brought increased traffic volume and more complex intersections, including multi-lane roundabouts and signalized crossings. Common risk factors include:

Signal Timing Issues: 

Particularly short yellow-light periods and improperly timed traffic signals might produce a “dilemma zone” for vehicles. 

This dramatically increases the likelihood of red-light running violations and consequent crashes as drivers try to “beat the light” or find themselves caught in the junction when it turns red.

Obstructed Sightlines:

Visual obstacles significantly increase the danger at junctions. This can cover overgrown vegetation, big signs, utility poles, or improperly parked cars obstructing a driver’s view of approaching traffic, pedestrians, or cyclists. 

A crossroads crash’s likelihood increases when cars cannot easily see the junction.

Driver Distraction: 

 Still, a significant issue in today’s hectic environment is distracted driving. 

Critical times of inattention might result from mobile gadgets, advanced infotainment systems, or even changing focus to passengers or outside occurrences. 

A brief lack of attention at an intersection might allow a driver to miss a traffic light, fail to surrender the right-of-way, or underestimate the speed of cross-traffic, producing a catastrophic intersection collision.

Pedestrians & Cyclists: 

Crosswalks at busy crossings naturally generate extra risks. Drivers might overlook or ignore pedestrians and cyclists who are highly vulnerable in any collision. The continuous foot and bike traffic gives already crowded crossroads another degree of complexity and danger.

The data underscores the severity of this issue. According to the Federal Highway Administration, roughly one-quarter of all traffic fatalities and about one-half of all traffic injuries in the United States occur at or within intersections each year. 

In Texas, 61% of fatal car crashes in 2020 occurred in urban areas, highlighting the increased risks in populated regions like League City and its surrounding areas. 

These intersection car accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries, from debilitating whiplash and broken bones to catastrophic brain trauma, forever changing lives.

If Someone Runs a Red Light and You Hit Them, Who Is at Fault?

In that scenario, the red-light runner bears primary fault for entering the intersection illegally. A victim who “hits them” while lawfully proceeding typically has no fault unless they were speeding or also violated traffic laws. Under Texas’s comparative-fault rules, any victim fault (e.g., exceeding the speed limit) only reduces compensation proportionally .

Texas Right-of-Way Laws at Intersections

Texas law explicitly outlines the road rules to prevent collisions and determine who is at fault in an intersection accident when they occur. 

Understanding these right-of-way laws is fundamental in navigating traffic safely and crucial for establishing liability after a crash.

The Texas Transportation Code provides clear guidelines on who must yield at intersections, serving as the primary framework for assigning fault:

Traffic Signals: 

Vehicles facing a steady red light are legally obligated to stop entirely and remain stopped until the light turns green. 

Turning right on red (and sometimes leaving on red from a one-way street to another one-way street) is generally permitted, but it is only allowed after a complete stop if no sign explicitly prohibits it. Crucially, drivers must yield to all cross-traffic and pedestrians before proceeding.

Stop Signs:

 At an intersection controlled by stop signs in all directions (e.g., a four-way stop), the general rule is that the first vehicle to arrive at the stop line has the right of way. If two cars arrive at approximately the same time, the car on the right is typically granted the right of way. Drivers must always come to a complete stop before proceeding safely.

Uncontrolled Intersections: 

When an intersection has no traffic signals or stop signs, drivers must yield to vehicles already within the intersection. If two vehicles arrive at the intersection at roughly the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.

Left Turns: 

Drivers intending to make a left turn across opposing lanes of traffic bear a significant responsibility. They must yield the right of way to any oncoming vehicles close enough to constitute an immediate hazard. Failing to do so is a common cause of severe intersection collisions.

Violations of these established right-of-way rules create a strong presumption of fault for the violating driver in an intersection crash. However, proving fault is not always straightforward, especially when multiple factors or conflicting accounts are involved.

Suppose you’ve been involved in an intersection accident in League City and need to understand who is at fault in an intersection accident. 

In that case, the complexities of Texas right-of-way laws can be challenging to navigate alone. 

Contact the experienced legal team at DeHoyos Accident Attorneys for a free consultation. We can help you determine liability and fight for your rights.

Common Intersection Collision Scenarios

Red-Light Running

When drivers accelerate through a red light, they infringe the right-of-way of cross traffic, leading to broadside T-bone collisions. Victims in through lanes rarely share fault unless speeding or ignoring visible signals.

Left-Turn Accidents

A left-turning driver must yield to oncoming vehicles traveling straight or turning right. Misjudged gaps or attempts to “beat” oncoming traffic often result in fatal side impacts.

Stop-Sign Failures

Failure to come to a complete stop or yield when required at multi-way stops can cause low-speed rear-end or side collisions, often resulting in soft-tissue injuries and whiplash.

Distracted & Impaired Driving

Drivers texting, eating, or under the influence may not see signals changing or vehicles with the right of way, dramatically increasing crash risk.

Proving Fault: Evidence and Investigation

Establishing who is at fault in an intersection crash requires thorough evidence gathering:

Police and Crash Reports: 

Contain officer observations, diagrams, and preliminary fault determinations.

Traffic-Signal Timing Data: 

Precise light change intervals to show whether a red-light runner had adequate warning.

Intersection Surveillance & Dashcam Footage: 

Video proof of signal status and vehicle positions at impact.

Witness Statements: 

Corroborate speeds, signal observations, and vehicle movements.

Accident Reconstruction Experts: 

Analyze skid marks, vehicle damage, and physics to recreate the crash.

Early legal action ensures perishable evidence, such as traffic-signal logs, is preserved.

What Is My Intersection Accident Case Worth?

Compensation depends on factors like injury severity, medical costs, lost income, and non-economic damages:

Damage Type	What It Covers
Medical Expenses	ER care, surgeries, imaging, physical therapy
Lost Wages	Actual wages lost and diminished earning capacity
Property Damage	Repair or replacement of vehicles and personal items
Pain & Suffering	Physical pain, grief, loss of enjoyment of life
Wrongful Death (if fatal)	Funeral expenses, loss of consortium

Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for an Intersection Accident?

Yes, absolutely. Even if liability is shared—for instance, if you entered an intersection on a late yellow light while another driver ran a red—Texas law permits you to recover damages. This is thanks to Texas’s modified comparative negligence system, often called the “51% bar rule.”

Here’s how it works in the context of who is at fault in an intersection accident:

You Can Still Recover (Up to 50% Fault): 

As long as your percentage of culpability for the intersection crash is determined to be 50% or less, you can still receive compensation for your damages.

Your Recovery is Reduced: 

However, the compensation you receive will be reduced by your assigned percentage of fault. For example, if your total damages are assessed at $100,000, but you are found to be 20% at fault for the car crash at the intersection, your recoverable compensation would be $80,000.

The 51% Bar: 

If you are found to be 51% or more at fault for the intersection accident, you are legally barred from recovering any damages from the other party.

This system makes a thorough investigation and strategic legal representation incredibly important. Insurance companies, keen to minimize their payouts, will often try to shift as much blame as possible onto you. 

A skilled League City intersection accident attorney can challenge improper fault allocations, gather evidence to prove the other party’s greater responsibility, and protect your right to the full compensation you deserve, even when the question of who is at fault in an intersection accident seems complex.

Why You Need a League City Intersection Accident Lawyer

Local Knowledge: 

We understand League City’s roadway configurations and municipal signal operations.

Complex Liability: 

For signal maintenance failures, multiple defendants may include drivers, vehicle owners, or even municipalities.

Insurance Tactics: 

Carriers may dispute fault or undervalue claims; we negotiate aggressively on your behalf.

Trial-Ready: 

When settlement fails, our firm will take your case to court for a fair verdict.

Learn more about our approach on our League City car accident lawyer page.

After the jarring impact of an intersection crash, the following moments can be chaotic and disorienting. 

However, your actions immediately afterward are critically important for your health and any potential legal claim, especially when determining who is at fault in an intersection accident.

Steps to Take After an Intersection Crash

Following an intersection collision in League City, prioritizing specific steps can significantly impact your recovery and the strength of your case:

Ensure Safety & Seek Medical Help: 

Your immediate priority should always be the safety of everyone involved. Move vehicles out of traffic if safe to do so. Even if you feel fine, call for emergency medical help or visit an emergency room or urgent care center as soon as possible. Call the Police: 

Contact the League City Police Department or local law enforcement to report the car crash at the intersection. 

An official police report will document basic facts, contributing factors, and often initial observations about who is at fault in an intersection accident. This report can be a critical piece of evidence.

Document the Scene:

 If you can, take extensive photos and videos with your cell phone. 

Capture the position of all vehicles involved, damage to each car, relevant traffic signal statuses (e.g., if a light is red or green), skid marks on the pavement, debris, and any road hazards. 

Gather Witness Info: 

Bystanders can offer unbiased accounts of what happened. If there are any witnesses to the intersection collision, politely ask for their names and contact information. 

Their testimony can be crucial in corroborating your events and clarifying who is at fault in an intersection accident.

Notify Your Insurer: 

You should promptly report the intersection accident to your own insurance company. This preserves your coverage and initiates the claims process. 

Contact Our Team: 

The moments and days following an intersection car accident are critical for evidence preservation. Early consultation with a qualified legal team can make a significant difference. 

An experienced intersection accident lawyer from our firm can immediately begin investigating the crash, collecting perishable evidence (like surveillance footage before it’s deleted), handling communication with insurance companies, and advising you on all necessary steps to strengthen your claim and ensure a fair determination of who is at fault in an intersection accident.

Contact the Intersection Accident Lawyers at DeHoyos Accident Attorneys for Help Today!

If you have injuries in a League City intersection collision, the fallout may seem daunting. While you try to heal from your injuries, you shouldn’t have to negotiate the convoluted medical and legal procedures alone.

Our seasoned League City personal injury lawyers are here to assist you financially, emotionally, and physically in recovery following a catastrophic intersection accident.We understand the challenges you’re facing and are prepared to fight for your rights. Call us or visit our contact page for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let a skilled intersection accident lawyer from our team guide you through this difficult time and work towards the justice you deserve.