When a driver runs a stop signal and causes an accident, their actions can lead to extensive injuries and damage to property. If a driver’s violation of this fundamental safety precaution left you with medical costs and other losses, you could seek compensation for the injuries you suffered.
Just as stop signals are a fundamental means of keeping order, you have a right to file a personal injury claim as a victim of negligence. At Bader Law Injury Lawyers, a Warner Robins running a stop signal accident lawyer can help protect that right by researching your claim, compiling evidence, and negotiating with the responsible party.
Call our office today to learn more with a free case review at (404) 888-8888.
Why Drivers Run Lights
Some drivers see a yellow light and assume it means to hit the gas, flying through an intersection before or even as the signal turns red. The is one impulse that prompts stop signal accidents, but not the only one. Crashes resulting from a driver running through a stop signal could be caused by:
- Reckless driving
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
Reckless Driving
Impatience or urgency can prompt a driver to try to beat the signal, supported by the assumption that everyone else will get out of the way. In short, a reckless driver may assume it is the job of other cars to avoid them. Reckless driving is typically a form of negligence. A driver running through a stop signal fails to extend the level of care expected and offered by others on the road.
Reckless drivers also fail to take into account the variables that can cause an accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that it takes 1.5 seconds to notice something happening on the road, decide what to do, and make a move to brake. Within that time frame, a car going 55 mph can travel 121 feet. A driver gunning it through a stop signal may therefore not have enough time or distance to stop should something enter the roadway, such as a car with the right of way or a pedestrian.
Drunk Driving
Intoxication numbs the senses, slowing down reflexes and impairing judgment. The NHTSA reports that a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 is linked to problems with:
- Short-term memory
- Concentration
- Speed control
- Decreased signal detection
- Impaired perception
Yet even lower levels can impair driving ability, with over 1,800 people killed in crashes in 2018 where drivers had blood alcohol concentrations lower than 0.08. Driving under the influence reduces a person’s ability to recognize signals and react in time. If a driver was intoxicated at the time of your accident, your lawyer can use this as evidence of negligence in your case.
Distracted Driving
In order to see a signal change, a driver has to be looking at the road. Distracted drivers often cause accidents through inattention. Rather than running through a signal deliberately to get to work on time, a distracted driver may run a light because they were sending a text message. Common forms of distracted driving that could cause someone to run a stop signal are:
- Texting
- Posting on social media
- Eating
- Reaching for items
- Talking to passengers
- Changing the radio
- Operating a GPS
In 2018, 400,000 people were injured in distracted driving accidents, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). If you were among the many victims of distracted driving, contact the office of Bader Law Injury Lawyers at (404) 888-8888 today to learn what a personal injury claim can do for you.
For a free legal consultation with a running a stop signal accidents lawyer serving Warner Robins, call (404) 888-8888
The Aftermath of Running a Light
Making an illegal right turn at a red signal is also a form of negligence. Both can cause side impacts, glancing collisions, or sideswipes. All of these forms of accidents can cause injury. Because of the likelihood of the negligent driver hitting another vehicle on the side, and because the side of a vehicle offers less protection than the front or back end, victims can suffer the full brunt of the crash. Injuries could include:
- Whiplash
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Torn soft tissue
- Breaks and fractures
- Crushing injuries
- Lacerations
- Head injuries
- Spine injuries
Injuries can cost you days, weeks, or even months of your life in recovery, not to mention the strain on your wallet and impact on your livelihood. You would not have suffered these setbacks were it not for the accident, and that could be grounds for a personal injury claim. By filing a suit, you may be able to obtain damages that will cover:
- Emergency visits
- Doctors’ appointments
- Diagnostic testing
- Follow-ups
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic care
- Lost wages
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
According to Georgia Code (O.C.G.A.) §9-3-33, you have up to two years to file a claim. If you fail to do so in that time, your legal options may be more limited. It is important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your legal team has time to prepare your case.
When Multiple Parties Are Involved
To avoid a collision with a driver running a stop signal, you may find yourself slamming on the brakes, only to be rear-ended. In this situation, the driver who ran through the signal may be responsible for the accident, but the driver who rear-ended you may also be liable for your injuries for failing to pay attention.
Other types of crashes may occur when drivers attempt to avoid a collision due to someone running through a stop signal. Understanding who to hold liable can be tricky. If you are unsure who was responsible for your accident and injuries, a Warner Robins running a stop signal accident lawyer can analyze your case and determine who to pursue for a claim.
Warner Robins Running a Stop Signal Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
A Personal Injury Lawyer Helps Fight for Compensation
Order is maintained on Georgia’s roads when all drivers obey stop signals. Drivers who upset that order by running a stop signal can be held liable.
Contact the office of Bader Law Injury Lawyers to learn how a Warner Robins running a stop signal accident lawyer can manage your case so that you don’t have to. To learn more about your legal options, call our team today at (404) 888-8888 for a free consultation.
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