Fighting for People Injured at Boulder’s Intersections

Whether you are heading to work in the morning, coming home in the evening, or just out for a night on the town, driving around Boulder should not be inherently risky. However, there are certain intersections in our city that are more dangerous than others. While the city takes its time conducting studies and proposing possible solutions, many residents are seriously injured at these locations. In the majority of cases, these accidents are a result of a driver’s negligence, while others are due to poor roadway design that made them unavoidable.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an intersection accident, or anywhere else in Boulder County, take action right now. You deserve compensation for your suffering, for repairs to your vehicle, and for the medical expenses that follow a serious injury. Do not accept a small payout from an insurance company that will fall short of covering your actual needs. Call a Boulder car accident lawyer at the Tenge Law Firm, LLC, at (303) 665-2929 for a free consultation to discuss the options available to you.

Dangerous Intersections in Boulder

There are a number of dangerous intersections throughout Boulder, according to the Boulder Transportation Advisory Board. Different factors make these intersections more likely to host collisions, including the road design, number of lanes, design of bike lanes, and amount of pedestrian traffic in the area.

One of the Board’s findings is that six of the ten most dangerous intersections in the city are in close proximity to each other. You should be particularly careful when driving near:

  • 30th St. and Pearl St.
  • 30th St. and Arapahoe Ave.
  • 30th St. and Baseline Road
  • 30th St. and Colorado Ave.
  • 28th St. and Colorado Ave.
  • Regent Drive and Colorado Ave.

Four of the most dangerous intersections in Boulder are in a small area along 30th Street, and three are along Colorado Avenue. If you have been in a collision in this area, liability for the crash may be more complicated than you realize at first. The negligence of other drivers can certainly come into play, but other elements such as pedestrian behavior may also have caused the wreck.

Outside of Boulder itself, there are also unsafe roadways. In particular, the stretch of U.S. 287 that runs through Boulder County is particularly deadly. Over the past few years, there have been over a dozen deaths in the short, nine-mile stretch of highway between Lafayette and Longmont. The lack of a lane divider and the high speeds many drivers travel contribute to these serious accidents.

Road Design and Intersections

In addition to the major intersections listed above, Boulder features three main types of intersections where accidents can occur:

  • 4-way intersections: These are the typical intersections that most drivers imagine and, while efficient, come with their own risks. These intersections feature four perpendicular lanes of traffic that are controlled by stop signs or traffic lights, as well as crosswalks to protect pedestrians. But despite these measures, there is still the risk of drivers speeding, ignoring the right of way, or making dangerous lane changes.
  • Merging intersections: Along certain highways and major roads, on and off ramps allow drivers to easily merge into traffic. These ramps should be marked clearly with signs and road paint to warn drivers about merging lanes of traffic. However, many still ignore these signs and sideswipe other drivers when they are merging.
  • T-intersections: T-intersections located on curved or hilled roads can be incredibly confusing for most drivers as they may not be able to see if the traffic is clear before they make a turn in either direction. This can cause them to hesitate or speed into an intersection, both of which can cause a serious collision.

At all intersections, drivers should be aware of Colorado laws regarding right turns. Unless there is a sign stating otherwise, drivers in Colorado are allowed to turn right at an intersection when the traffic light is red. This maneuver must be done safely and carefully. If a turning driver does not check for oncoming traffic, they may cause a T-bone collision. Alternatively, if an oncoming driver changes lane within the intersection, they may cause a collision with a driver making a right turn.