What Are the Rules for Determining Responsibility in Intersection Collisions?
2 Answers
Intersection collision responsibility determination rules are: 1. At intersections without traffic signals or police direction, vehicles preparing to enter a roundabout must yield to vehicles already in the roundabout. Failure to do so results in full responsibility for the entering vehicle; 2. At intersections with traffic signals allowing both directions, turning vehicles must yield to straight-moving vehicles. Turning vehicles bear full responsibility for collisions caused by failing to yield; 3. At intersections without signals or police direction, vehicles violating traffic signs or markings bear full responsibility; 4. At signalized intersections, right-turning vehicles must yield to straight-moving vehicles. Right-turning vehicles bear full responsibility for collisions caused by failing to yield. In rear-end collisions, the compensated party may claim lost wages. For employed victims, compensation equals provable income loss (capped at triple the local average living expenses if income exceeds this threshold). Unemployed victims receive compensation based on local state-owned industry averages.
From my nearly 20 years of driving experience, the rules for determining fault in intersection collisions are quite straightforward. It mainly boils down to two key points: traffic signals take precedence—for example, running a red light means full liability, while green means proceed straight. If there are no traffic signals, the 'yield to the right' rule applies, giving the right-of-way to vehicles approaching from the right. Turning vehicles must yield to those going straight; otherwise, they often bear primary responsibility in accidents. Near stop signs, coming to a complete stop before proceeding is mandatory—failure to do so means taking full liability in a collision. Fault determination also relies heavily on evidence, such as dashcam footage or on-site police investigations, which clearly show who violated the rules. When driving, it’s advisable to develop the habit of slowing down and observing carefully at intersections to minimize potential risks—don’t wait for an accident to regret it. While the rules are simple, negligence often comes at a high cost.
