Common Causes of Roundabout Accidents

With roundabout construction being planned at Woods Chapel Road and Victor Hill Road in Spartanburg County, be prepared for an increase in roundabout car accidents in the coming months. For those who have never used this type of intersection, the learning curve can be steep. That’s why it’s important to know the common causes of roundabout collisions and how to protect yourself from a potential crash.

Have you been hurt in a Spartanburg car crash? The team at Nowell Law Firm is here to help you. Give us a call at 864-707-1785 to schedule a consultation now.

Entering at the Wrong Time

Entering a roundabout at an inappropriate time is one of the most common reasons for a collision. Some people enter too early, assuming that people on the left will yield to them. Since you generally yield to the right in every other situation, this makes sense. However, applying this to roundabouts ensures that you will be struck by a driver on the left at some point. You may also wait too long to enter a roundabout, which may cause someone behind you to rear-end your vehicle if they expect you to start moving.

Drifting in the Roundabout

Roundabouts have clearly marked lanes, but drifting is a common concern with curves—and a roundabout is nothing but constant curves. Unfortunately, traffic in roundabouts tends to be fairly fast-paced, and drifting from your lane can cause a sideswipe collision. Before you get acclimated to a new roundabout, you may want to drive slower than usual so you can get comfortable with how the lanes are spaced.

Misusing Lanes

Misuse of roundabout lanes leads to a number of preventable crashes every year. While one-lane roundabouts are fairly easy to use, those with multiple lanes are generally clearly marked. Some lanes are only for exiting at certain points of the roundabout and trying to exit from another lane may cause a crash. If a driver is attempting to exit but is unsure which lane they should be in—or when they should be in that lane—it’s important to look for signage. It’s always acceptable to go around a roundabout again to give yourself time to look at the signs and ensure that you are following the given directions.

Stopping Abruptly

If you are confused about how to use a roundabout or when you are supposed to exit, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Your instinct might be to stop, give yourself a second to clear your head, and then figure out your next steps. Unfortunately, this is an incredibly dangerous move in a roundabout.

People move in and out of roundabouts quickly, so unexpectedly stopping will force those behind and around you to take evasive action. As new people enter the roundabout, the likelihood of you getting struck by another vehicle is high. Instead, it’s recommended that drivers carefully proceed through the roundabout, maintain a lower-than-usual speed, and look for signs that can guide them out safely.

Exiting Incorrectly

Streamlined entrances and exits are what make roundabouts so convenient. This means that if you miss your exit, you have to accept it and go back around to try again. Some drivers don’t do this. Instead, they cut across multiple lanes and try to exit. This puts them at risk of colliding with drivers in the middle lanes, as well as hitting other drivers trying to exit. Saving a few seconds simply isn’t worth the risk.

If you get hurt in a roundabout accident, it’s important to talk to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Roundabouts are still widely misunderstood by many insurance adjusters, and your claim could get mishandled if you don’t provide the necessary evidence. Your attorney can determine liability and help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Find Out If You Have a Valid Personal Injury Claim

After getting checked out by a doctor after a crash, it’s time to find out if you may be entitled to compensation. The team at Nowell Law Firm is committed to helping clients obtain a fair settlement. Set up a meeting with our team now by calling us at 864-707-1785 or filling out an online contact form.