Were You Injured in a Roundabout Car Accident?

Indiana Roundabout Car Accidents

Approximately 38,000 people die each year in car accidents. These accidents frequently occur at intersections. To improve safety, cities in Indiana and throughout the United States have been using roundabouts. For example, Carmel, Indiana, now has more than 256 roundabouts. However, motor vehicle accidents are all too common despite these and other traffic control measures. Some drivers do not understand how to drive correctly in a roundabout, or they do not obey the rules and cause a crash. Here is a guide detailing your next steps if involved in a roundabout car accident.

What Is a Roundabout?

According to the Indiana Department of Transportation, “a roundabout is a circular intersection or junction in which road traffic flows almost continuously in one direction around a central island.” They are intended to improve safety for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Approximately 25 percent of all traffic fatalities occur at intersections. Instead of a traditional intersection, the roundabout creates a constant flow of traffic coming into and out of the intersection. As drivers approach a roundabout, they yield to any vehicles already in the intersection. When traffic has cleared, they drive counterclockwise around the center island until they reach their exit street.

Key Design Features of Roundabouts

Roundabouts may have one or two lanes. A traditional intersection has 32 potential conflict points where vehicles and pedestrians can collide. However, a roundabout has only eight. The conflict points are all in the same direction in a roundabout design, so injuries are usually less severe than those in a head-on collision. 

• Yield at entry. Drivers entering the roundabout must yield the right-of-way to the vehicles which are already traveling in the traffic circle.
• One-way travel. Traffic only moves in a counterclockwise direction.
• Central island. There is a raised central island.
• Slower speeds. Speed limits in roundabouts are usually lower, typically 15-25 miles per hour.
• No parking. Drivers may not stop or park in a roundabout.

Benefits of a Roundabout

According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), roundabouts significantly decrease injury-causing accidents, particularly when compared to signal or stop sign-directed intersections. In general, roundabouts reduced the number of accidents resulting in serious injuries or death, possibly because drivers must slow down when traveling through a roundabout intersection. However, the total number of overall collisions increased by 12 percent, perhaps because more drivers crashed their cars by driving them off the road.

The Indiana Department of Transportation reports up to a 90 percent reduction in fatal accidents and a 76 percent reduction in injury crashes. Safety benefits of roundabouts include:

• Fewer points of impact
• Lower speed limits
• No head-on collisions because motorists are traveling in the same direction
• No motorists running through red lights
• Improved pedestrian visibility
• Fewer minor fender benders

Common Causes of a Roundabout Car Accident

Despite the safety benefits, some roundabout crashes still occur. When traveling on a multi-lane roundabout, drivers often find themselves in the wrong lane. They may swerve or abruptly change lanes to try and exit onto their desired road. Therefore, they may hit another vehicle or cause an accident as other vehicles try to avoid hitting them. When drivers first encounter a roundabout, an inexperienced or confused driver may cause an accident. The causes of car accidents are varied, but some of the more common types of accidents that occur in roundabouts include the following:

• Running off the road
• Rear-end collisions
• Sideswipes
• Entering collisions
• Exiting collisions
• Colliding with the central island

As with all traffic accidents, negligent drivers cause crashes in roundabout intersections. Common factors contributing to an accident include:

• Speeding. Drivers are supposed to navigate a roundabout at a lower speed. However, when they speed, they may not be able to stop in time to avoid a crash. In addition, the faster a driver goes, the more likely injuries and damages will be severe.
• Stopping. Once a driver enters the roundabout, they should not stop. Otherwise, they could cause a rear-end collision. 
• Failure to yield. Especially when entering or exiting a roundabout, motorists must yield to vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists with the right of way in the roundabout. Failing to yield is likely to result in a crash.
• Failure to use the correct lane. Some roundabouts are multi-lane. When drivers fail to use the proper lane or follow road signs, they may cause a collision.
• Sudden or unsafe maneuvers. A driver who makes an unexpected lane change might cut off another vehicle and cause a sideswipe collision.

Who May Be Liable for a Roundabout Car Accident?

While roundabouts are meant to improve safety and the flow of traffic, accidents can still happen. Such accidents may be minor, but circumstances are different in each case, so a roundabout accident may cause serious injuries. Because these intersections are still relatively new, drivers may be confused about how they work. Therefore, it is essential to determine who may be liable in the event of an accident. In some cases, more than one person or entity may have contributed to the crash. An injured victim may be eligible for compensation, such as:

• Payment for all past and future medical bills related to the accident
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity, depending on the nature and extent of the injury
• Compensation for pain and suffering
• Damages to your vehicle

Each state has time limits, called the Statute of Limitations, for filing accident claims. Therefore, If you or someone you love has been injured in a roundabout accident, you should speak with a qualified accident attorney without delay. For more information or to arrange a free case review, consult an experienced, dedicated attorney at Boulton Law Group. Call (317) 350-2680 or contact us online.