If you or a loved one got hurt in a red light accident with a negligent driver, you could have legal options for pursuing compensation.
A Marietta red light accident lawyer may be able to help you with your next steps by determining if you could hold another driver accountable for your losses.
Red Light Accidents Are Common
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), red-light running is a frequent and deadly occurrence, with 846 persons killed and an estimated 139,000 injured in red-light running crashes in 2018 alone.
Figures collected by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety show that red light accidents have seen a dramatic rise in recent years, with deaths hitting a ten-year high in 2017.
These figures are unfortunate, particularly when considering that red light running accidents and deaths are avoidable. Running a red light does not only endanger other car drivers and occupants but can also kill motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists who do not have the protection of an enclosed vehicle.
For a free legal consultation with a red light accidents lawyer serving Marietta, call (404) 888-8888
Injuries in Red Light Accidents
Red light accidents can cause horrific and disabling injuries, especially if vehicles collide at high speed. Some of the injuries seen in red light accidents can include:
- Whiplash
- Lacerations and cuts
- Head injuries
- Fractured bones
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Herniated discs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Knee damage
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Significant injuries can have a profound negative influence on the life of accident victims. Potentially, victims of serious red light accidents may never be able to live an independent life again or return to their job.
Costly medical treatments can also result in financial hardship for a victim and their family. If this has happened to you or a loved one, you could have legal recourse. It may be helpful to consult with a Marietta red light accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Marietta Red Light Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Reasons for Red Light Collisions
Red light accidents usually involve either negligence or carelessness on a driver’s behalf. Reasons for red light accidents, such as rear-end accidents, T-bone collisions, and other crashes, can include:
- A driver speeding excessively to get through the light before it turns red
- Drivers running the red light due to distraction
- A speeding driver colliding with a car making a legal left turn
- Poor weather conditions, such as snow or fog, can obscure the red light
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Driver Negligence in Red Light Accidents
While some red light accidents can occur due to bad weather conditions or vehicle defects, such as faulty brakes, most accidents are caused by driver error, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Reasons for driver negligence can include:
Speeding
Excessive speed can make it impossible to come to a full stop at a red traffic light. Even if an individual is driving within the posted speed limit but they are driving too fast for weather conditions, they could be negligent in a red light accident.
Drunk Driving
Intoxicated drivers can easily miss or run a red light. Alcohol and drug consumption tend to affect vision, reaction time, and braking behavior considerably. Intoxicated driving contributes to at least 10,000 deaths per year, according to the NHTSA.
Distracted Driving
A distracted driver may simply miss and run a red light due to not paying attention. Distracted driving can encompass many different behaviors, such as texting while driving, applying make-up, or talking to passengers in the car.
Drowsy Driving
Driving fatigued and drowsy can lead to catastrophic accidents if the fatigued driver runs a red light or falls asleep at the wheel.
If you were a victim of an accident that happened due to a negligent driver in Marietta, a red light accident lawyer can help determine if you could seek compensation for your injuries, property damage, and other losses.
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Compensation in Red Light Accidents
If someone else’s negligence is responsible for your injuries and monetary losses, you generally have the right to hold them responsible and seek compensation. Some of the types of awards you could recover include but are not limited to:
- Medical bills and future medical costs
- Loss of income
- Loss of future income and future earning capacity
- Repair or replacement of your vehicle
- Expenses for car rental and transportation
- Physical and emotional anguish
- Permanent disability
- Loss of a limb
- Reduced life enjoyment
You could also be entitled to seek other or additional forms of compensation, depending on the circumstances of your particular accident and injuries.
Advantages of Working with a Lawyer
Timely action can be important if you or a loved one suffered injuries and property damage in a car accident in Marietta, Georgia. You have two years to file a lawsuit in a personal injury case, according to Georgia Code (OCGA) §9-3-33. Your Marietta red light accident lawyer can advise you on the correct timing for your lawsuit.
Your attorney can start protecting your legal rights immediately and gather any evidence needed for building a comprehensive case against the negligent party. Waiting too long can mean that crucial evidence disappears over time or eyewitnesses move away.
Also, consider that you are generally responsible for covering your medical bills at first and may be losing a considerable amount of income while you are recovering. The sooner you begin working with a red light accident lawyer, the sooner you could potentially pursue compensation for your expenses and financial losses.
Finally, your attorney can protect you when it comes to settlement negotiations with the at-fault insurance company. Taking negotiations into your own hands can be challenging since you may not know the potential worth of your claim or the costs of any future medical treatments. An attorney can help determine your losses and costs accurately.
Call Bader Law Injury Lawyers Today
Bader Law Injury Lawyers can handle all the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on healing from your injuries.
We offer a free, no-risk consultation to determine if you have a claim, and outline your legal options. Call us today at (404) 888-8888 to speak with a member of our team.
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