According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), about 1,109 of the nation’s car accident fatalities in 2021 were caused by drivers running red lights. Florida law makes it clear that continuing to drive when you have a red light is a criminal offence. If you’re injured by a driver running a red light, you also have the right to file a legal claim and seek compensation for your injuries.
To find out more, contact Flaxman Law Group as soon as possible after your collision. In a free accident consultation with a Hollywood car accident claims lawyer, you’ll get a chance to discuss your specific situation and find out whether you might have a claim.
Injuries Caused by Red Light Running
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, red light running is a leading cause of accidents, and across the country one in three drivers admit to running a red light in the past month. Studies have shown that those who run red lights are also more likely to be speeding, which can make collisions even worse. This type of offence is likely to cause pedestrian accidents if a driver crashes into a pedestrian who has already entered the intersection. This type of situation is also likely to cause side-impact or T-bone accidents, as red-light runners crash into cars that do have the green light and are moving through the intersection.
Running a red light happens for many reasons. Drivers report situations where they were under the influence, where the yellow light was too short, or where they were impatient. One thing that often happens is that drivers will try to “beat a light.” They will see a yellow light in the distance and will speed up to get through. No matter why it happens, not obeying a red light can lead to devastating injuries, including:
- Head injuries
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Internal injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Spinal cord trauma
- Fatalities
What You Can Do
You can’t prevent all accidents, but you can reduce your risk by always stopping at red lights. When a light turns green for you, look around to make sure cars are coming to a complete stop and not accelerating. Drive defensively so you’re thinking ahead.
If you’re in a car accident because another driver ran a red light, contact a Hollywood car accident claims attorney. The other driver was clearly negligent and you shouldn’t have to pay for all the medical costs and lost income related to your injuries when someone else was at fault. Serious injuries can cost tens of thousands of dollars to potentially millions of dollars, depending on the severity. You don’t want to pay these costs out of pocket.
It’s important to contact a Hollywood car accident claims lawyer as soon as possible after your crash. Your attorney can advise you about what to say and not to say and can start gathering evidence of red light running right away, either from witnesses or any security cameras in the area.
Flaxman Law Group is a family-based law firm with a strong community presence in Hollywood, Homestead, and Miami. Our father-son attorney team has successfully represented thousands of injured people and we’ve recovered over $100 million for them. Our clients especially appreciate that we’re caring and we take care of all the details. We keep you up to date about the status of your case and we can even help you get a rental car after your crash. Just call us at 866-352-9626 to schedule a free accident consultation. We keep our lines staffed 24/7, 365 days a year, so that no matter when you’re injured you can always reach a live person.