Intersection Accidents in Washington: Who Is at Fault?

A crash at an intersection can leave more questions than answers. One driver claims they had a green light. Another insists they had the right of way. Witnesses may disagree, and insurance companies often look for reasons to shift blame.

Because intersection accidents in Washington often involve conflicting stories, determining liability is not always straightforward. Who is at fault in an intersection accident depends on the circumstances of the crash, the applicable right-of-way rules, and the evidence available.

At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, our Seattle auto accident lawyers have helped injured people across Washington for over 40 years. We understand how quickly an intersection collision can create physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Medical bills begin to accumulate, time away from work affects household income, and insurance adjusters start building their cases immediately.

You don’t have to spend your recovery fighting with insurance adjusters or trying to piece together what happened at the intersection. We will handle the investigation, identify the parties responsible, and advocate for the compensation you need to move forward.

What Is a Washington Intersection Crash?

A collision that occurs while vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists are entering, crossing, or traveling through an intersection is generally considered an intersection accident.

These crashes happen at signalized intersections, four-way stops, uncontrolled intersections, highway off-ramps, and busy urban corridors. Because multiple road users are converging in the same area, intersections are among the most common locations for serious motor vehicle accidents.

Understanding the most common types of intersection collisions can help explain how fault is determined after a crash.

Running a Red Light

One of the most common causes of intersection accidents is a driver entering the intersection after the traffic signal has turned red. These crashes are often severe because the driver with the green light typically has little time to react.

Red-light collisions frequently occur at busy intersections in cities such as Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, and Spokane, where traffic volumes are high, and drivers may rush through changing signals.

Failing to Yield While Making a Left Turn

A driver making a left turn must yield to oncoming traffic that is already in the intersection or close enough to create an immediate hazard.  

These crashes commonly occur when a driver misjudges the speed of an approaching vehicle, attempts to turn through a narrow gap in traffic, or focuses on one lane while overlooking another. Left-turn collisions can be particularly severe because they often result in side-impact crashes.

Running a Stop Sign

A driver who ignores a stop sign or rolls through it without stopping can create a dangerous situation for everyone entering the intersection.

These accidents are common in residential neighborhoods, rural communities, and smaller Washington towns where intersections may not be controlled by traffic lights. Investigators often look at vehicle damage, witness accounts, and skid marks to determine whether a driver stopped before entering the intersection.

Failing to Yield at an Uncontrolled Intersection

Not every intersection in Washington is controlled by a traffic light, stop sign, or yield sign. At these uncontrolled intersections, drivers must rely on established right-of-way rules.

When two vehicles approach or enter an uncontrolled intersection at approximately the same time, Washington law generally requires the driver on the left to yield to the vehicle approaching from the right. Crashes often occur when both drivers believe they have the right to proceed or fail to notice the other vehicle until it is too late.

Making an Unsafe Right Turn

Drivers making right turns sometimes focus on finding a gap in traffic and overlook a vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist already moving through the intersection. These accidents often happen when a driver checks for oncoming traffic but fails to fully scan the crosswalk, bike lane, or adjacent lane before turning.

Driving with Malfunctioning Traffic Signals

Power outages, severe storms, and equipment failures occasionally leave traffic signals dark or malfunctioning. Under Washington law, a driver approaching an intersection with a nonfunctioning traffic signal must treat the intersection as an all-way stop. After stopping, drivers must follow the normal right-of-way rules before proceeding.

Failing to Yield at a Crosswalk

Washington law generally requires drivers to yield to pedestrians and bicyclists who are crossing within a crosswalk. Collisions often happen when a driver focuses on vehicle traffic and fails to see someone crossing before entering the intersection or completing a turn.

Who Is at Fault in an Intersection Accident?

Fault in intersection accidents in Washington is generally based on negligence. To hold another party responsible for an intersection accident, an injured person must show that the other party failed to use reasonable care and that their actions caused the crash.

Depending on the circumstances, potentially liable parties may include:

• Another driver,
• A commercial truck driver,
• A rideshare driver,
• A company that employed the at-fault driver, and
• A government entity responsible for road maintenance.

Determining liability often requires a careful review of the facts, applicable traffic laws, and available evidence.

Duty of Care

Every driver on Washington roads has a duty to operate their vehicle safely and obey traffic laws. This includes following traffic signals, yielding when required, maintaining proper vigilance, and taking reasonable steps to avoid harming others.

Breach of Duty

A driver breaches their duty of care when they act unreasonably or violate a traffic law. Common examples in intersection accident cases include:

• Running a red light,
• Running a stop sign,
• Failing to yield while making a left turn,
• Failing to yield at a crosswalk,
• Speeding through an intersection,
• Driving while distracted,
• Driving under the influence,
• Ignoring a malfunctioning traffic signal, and
• Making an unsafe right turn.

Evidence that a driver engaged in one of these behaviors can help establish fault.

Causation

Proving negligence requires showing that the driver’s conduct actually caused the collision.

For example, a driver may have been speeding, but if the speeding did not contribute to the accident, it may not affect liability.  

Damages

Lastly, an injured person must show they suffered actual losses as a result of the accident. 

Damages may include:

• Medical expenses,
• Lost wages,
• Reduced earning capacity,
• Property damage,
• Pain and suffering, and
• Emotional distress.

The experienced attorneys at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner can help ensure all of your damages are properly identified, documented, and included in your claim so you are not left paying the costs of someone else’s negligence.

What Evidence Is Used to Investigate Fault?

To determine who caused an intersection accident, investigators review evidence from the crash scene. The stronger the evidence, the easier it becomes to establish what happened and who caused the collision.

Traffic Camera and Surveillance Footage

Footage from traffic cameras, dashcams, nearby businesses, and residential security systems can provide valuable insight into how an intersection accident occurred. These recordings may help show:

• Which driver had the right of way,
• Whether a traffic signal was obeyed,
• When vehicles entered the intersection, and
• The movements of pedestrians and bicyclists before the collision.

When drivers provide different accounts of what happened, video evidence can provide additional context and help investigators better understand the events leading up to the crash.

Witness Statements

Independent witnesses can provide valuable information. Someone who saw the collision may be able to explain which driver entered the intersection first, whether a traffic signal changed, or how the vehicles were moving before impact.

Physical Evidence from the Accident Scene

Physical evidence can provide important clues about how an intersection accident occurred. Investigators may examine:

• Skid marks,
• Debris patterns,
• Vehicle damage,
• Roadway conditions,
• Traffic control devices, and
• Final vehicle positions.

This evidence can help establish vehicle speeds, directions of travel, points of impact, and the sequence of events leading up to the collision.

Police Reports

Police officers responding to the scene often make some of the earliest observations about the crash. A police report may include statements from the drivers involved, witness information, citations issued at the scene, and the officer’s observations regarding road conditions and vehicle damage.

Electronic Evidence

Modern vehicles and electronic devices often record information that can become important evidence in an intersection accident claim.

Depending on the circumstances, investigators may review:

• Event data recorder information,
• Dashcam footage,
• GPS records, and
• Cell phone records.

This evidence may help establish vehicle speed, braking activity, driver location, or whether a driver was distracted immediately before the collision.

Can I Still Recover If I Am Partially Responsible for the Crash?

Yes. Washington law allows you to recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for an intersection accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if you are found 20% responsible for a crash, your compensation would generally be reduced by 20%.

Because fault affects the amount of compensation available, determining each party’s share of responsibility is often a key issue in intersection accident claims.

Contact Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner After an Intersection Accident

Fault is often heavily disputed after an intersection accident. Insurance companies may try to reduce the value of your claim by arguing that you caused the crash, share responsibility for it, or are exaggerating your injuries. Having an experienced advocate on your side can make a significant difference when liability is contested.

At Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, we have recovered more than $100 million for injured clients throughout Washington. We will:

• Investigate the accident,
• Gather evidence,
• Work with reconstruction and financial experts,
• Negotiate with insurance companies, and
• Prepare every case as though it may go to trial.

Because we work on a contingency-fee basis, you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

If you were injured in a Washington intersection crash, contact Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner today for a free consultation.

Legal References Used to Inform This Page

To ensure the accuracy and clarity of this page, we referenced official legal and other resources during the content development process:​

• Effect of contributory fault, Revised Code of Washington, 4.22.005.
• Traffic control signal legend, Revised Code of Washington, 46.61.055.
• Vehicle approaching intersection, Revised Code of Washington, 46.61.180.
• Nonfunctioning signal lights, Revised Code of Washington, 46.61.183.
• Vehicle turning left, Revised Code of Washington, 46.61.185.
• Vehicle entering stop or yield intersection, Revised Code of Washington, 46.61.190.
• Crosswalks, Revised Code of Washington, 46.61.235.