Over the past two years, there has been an increase in the number of Quad Cities roundabouts built in the area. A new roundabout opened near the Government Bridge in Davenport in August 2024, and a $3.75 million project is currently adding two more roundabouts to Moline’s 7th Avenue corridor. Davenport recently secured $6 million in federal safety grants to convert the notoriously dangerous intersection of Kimberly Road and Fairmount Street into a roundabout. While roundabouts do statistically make roads safer, they are not immune to accidents. Crashes in these unfamiliar intersections can quickly complicate questions about fault.
In this blog, the Quad Cities car accident lawyers at Winstein, Kavensky & Cunningham explain why there’s been an increase in roundabouts and how fault is determined after an accident.
Why Quad Cities Roundabouts Are Increasing
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), converting a signalized intersection to a roundabout reduces fatal and injury crashes by 78%, and replacing a 2-way stop-controlled intersection drops that figure even further, to 82%. The Iowa DOT and the Federal Highway Administration jointly recommended converting Kimberly Road and Fairmount Street in Davenport based on safety assessments. Several factors are fueling the growth of Quad Cities roundabouts:
- Traffic flow: Less delay, no stop-and-go, no signals needed
- Cost savings: No signals means lower long-term maintenance costs
- Federal funding: SS4A grant programs are helping Quad Cities municipalities cover project costs
- Proven local results: roundabouts already in place across the Quad Cities have demonstrated real improvements in traffic flow and safety
Common Causes of Roundabouts Accidents
Even though they provide many safety benefits, there are some hazards associated with roundabouts, including:
- Failure to yield
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Collisions with pedestrians and bicycles
- Driver unfamiliarity
- Improper lane use in multi-lane roundabouts
- Failure to check for pedestrians at crosswalks before entering or exiting
- Impaired driving
Who Is at Fault in a Quad Cities Traffic Circle Crash?
Determining fault in a roundabout crash in the Quad Cities can be challenging and requires a detailed investigation. To do this, an attorney will review whether:
- A driver failed to yield
- Speeding or distracted driving contributed to the crash
- A pedestrian or cyclist played any role in the collision
- An improper lane change or merging caused the impact
- Impaired or inattentive driving was a factor
Both Iowa and Illinois follow a comparative negligence law, meaning fault can be shared. If you’re 50% or less at fault, your settlement will decrease by that percentage. If you are 51% liable, you may not receive any compensation. You can learn more about how Iowa and Illinois car insurance requirements interact with fault determinations after a crash.
In practice, the driver who entered without yielding is typically the at-fault party. But insurance companies have every incentive to dispute fault or inflate your share of it—especially at newer intersections where there may be disagreement about signage, who was in the circle first, or whether road markings were adequate.
How WKC Can Help after an Accident
Roundabouts are a relatively new addition to the roads in the Quad Cities, and not every driver knows the rules. When that uncertainty leads to a crash and a disputed liability claim, you need attorneys who know how Iowa and Illinois personal injury law actually works. To determine fault and ensure you receive a fair settlement, we will:
- Gather and preserve evidence, including traffic camera footage, police reports, witness statements, and road conditions.
- Review the evidence to determine fault
- Counter and push back against insurance tactics
- Calculate full damages, like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering
From filing deadlines in Iowa and Illinois to negotiating with insurers, our Quad Cities roundabout accident attorneys manage every step of the legal process so you can focus on recovering.
Contact a Quad Cities Car Accident Attorney Near Me
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident at one of the Quad Cities’ new roundabouts, don’t let a complicated fault question go uncontested. Winstein, Kavensky & Cunningham is proud to be a local firm that offers face-to-face meetings with your attorney. We serve clients across Davenport, Bettendorf, Rock Island, Moline, and the surrounding Quad Cities region. Our Quad Cities personal injury attorneys are ready to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to get you full compensation. Too many firms settle cases fast because they don’t want to litigate, and we’re not one of them.
Call (309) 794-1515, use our LiveChat, or complete our form today to schedule a free consultation. We handle cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win.
The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.