The traffic light system is a universal language: green means go, yellow means slow, red means stop. However, some drivers ignore the message and run through red lights, take the right of way, or behave recklessly when nearing an intersection. To them, red does not mean stop. Unfortunately, sometimes what does stop them is when another car or pedestrian gets in their way.
If you were injured in an accident caused by someone who ran a red light, you have the right to hold the at-fault driver responsible for the injuries they caused, with the help of a Rome red light accident lawyer. At Bader Law Injury Lawyers, we can work to ensure the negligent party understands the language of the law and is held accountable for their actions. Call us now for a free case evaluation at (404) 888-8888.
Accidents that Can Occur at a Red Light
A lot is going on at intersections, with lights and right of way changing for both vehicles and pedestrians. While traffic signals are designed to make intersections less, not more, confusing, you can’t control what every person is going to do when confronted with a light change. That means you could be on the receiving end of:
● Rear-end collisions
● T-bone or side-impact crashes
● Sideswipes
● Pedestrian accidents
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) ranks getting through intersections as one of the hardest challenges the average driver faces due to the number of variables. It also reports that when overwhelmed at an intersection, a driver will share what is deemed unnecessary information. Sometimes, this can help avoid a collision, but it might actually lead to a crash. It all depends on whether the driver is paying attention to and prioritizing what matters.
Rear-End Collisions
If a light changes to red and the person behind you is not paying attention, you could easily be struck from behind. At low speeds, rear-end collisions can still cause damage to the body even if there is no visible damage to the car, with whiplash-like injuries being the most common.
Do not let lack of vehicle damage prevent you from seeking medical help or legal help. Not paying attention at a red light and causing a rear-end crash is negligence, and you, as the victim, have rights.
Side Impact Collisions
Red light accidents are often the result of someone running the light. This can lead to T-bone crashes, when a car going in one direction is struck by a car going perpendicular, impacting them on the side. The injuries for side-impact crashes can be severe but run the gamut:
● Lacerations and contusions
● Whiplash
● Sprains and strains
● Soft-tissue injuries
● Broken bones
● Traumatic brain injuries
Sideswipes are also possible at red lights. If a driver decides to suddenly change lanes, does not leave enough room, or swerves out of the way of another vehicle, they can scrape the side of your car. These collisions can cause more than cosmetic damage to your door, resulting in scrapes and cuts, breaks and fractures, and even crushing injuries. Whether the side of your car was swiped or struck head-on, you were the victim of careless driving.
Pedestrian Accidents
Intersections, of course, are used by pedestrians to cross roads safely. Unfortunately, this means that pedestrians can be injured or even killed by drivers who fail to heed red lights. Dating back to the 1990s, Georgia has urged drivers to “stop and stay stopped” at lights for the sake of pedestrian safety. The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety stresses that drivers cannot drive around or squeeze past pedestrians, nor can they claim that pedestrians who “jaywalk” absolve drivers of fault; crossing outside of a crosswalk is legal in most locations.
Cars do not have precedence on the road in all matters. Pedestrians have rights. If you were injured in a red light accident, consult a Rome red light accident lawyer about filing a personal injury claim. The legal team at Bader Law Injury Lawyers is ready to stand up for you and Georgia law at (404) 888-8888.
For a free legal consultation with a red light accidents lawyer serving Rome, call (404) 888-8888
The True Cause of Your Injuries
We’ve gone over what accident types may have caused your injuries, but the real cause is the negligent behavior of the driver responsible. They could have failed to heed a red light due to:
● Distracted driving
● Impaired driving
● Tailgating
● Reckless driving
● Speeding
Distracted and impaired driving can prevent the recognition of problems and slow reaction times. Tailgating can cause rear-end collisions. Any of these would qualify as reckless driving, and they all center on a driver placing their focus on the wrong priorities. However, one of the most notorious ways a red light accident can happen — and a possible contributing factor to other negligent behaviors — is speeding.
Speeding
A staggering 70% of Americans have confessed to being either occasional speeders or regular speeders, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Speeders are also more likely to engage in other risky behaviors.
Drivers in a rush often think they can “beat” the light. Some of them may not have been speeding initially, but they slam on the gas upon seeing the light change. Other speeders may try to stop at a red light but lack enough time or distance. It takes as much as 164 feet to react and then come to a stop on dry pavement when driving 40 miles per hour. That distance rockets up to 265 feet when driving 55 miles per hour. That kind of math adds up. In your case, it added up to an accident and an injury.
Rome Red Light Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
We Can Help Seek Damages for Your Red Light Accident
A red light accident lawyer can be by your side coordinating, compiling, filing, and negotiating all the legal aspects of your red light accident case in Rome.
Call Bader Law Injury Lawyers at (404) 888-8888 today for a free consultation with a member of our team.
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