Your Legal Options After a Red-Light Crash

A red-light crash can be a shocking and stressful experience, often leading to serious injuries, vehicle damage, and disputes over fault. Whether you were hit by another driver who ran a red light or are being blamed for the crash, understanding your legal options is crucial.

In many cases, determining liability in a red-light accident can be complex, requiring evidence like traffic camera footage, witness statements, and police reports. Therefore, to mitigate financial losses, you must understand the legal provisions that apply to your accident and take the steps required to protect yourself.

If you’ve been injured or suffered losses, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Depending on your situation, you might need to file an insurance claim, negotiate a settlement, or even take legal action to defend yourself against liability claims.

This article explores your legal options after a red-light crash, helping you understand what steps to take next, whether seeking compensation or protecting yourself from an unfair claim.

Determining Fault in Red Light Crashes

Determining fault in red light crashes is crucial for establishing liability and pursuing compensation. Even though these accidents typically occur when one driver runs a red light, proving who is at fault still requires strong evidence.

Police reports, traffic camera footage, and witness statements often play a key role in identifying the responsible party. Insurance companies and courts also consider factors like speed, road conditions, and potential distractions when assessing blame.

Even if the fault seems clear, legal complexities can arise depending on the circumstances of the crash. Understanding how liability is determined is essential before pursuing any legal action or settlement negotiations. To understand how liability is determined, it will be necessary first to know the rules of a red-light crash.

Rules in Red-Light Crashes

Traffic signals and violations are the primary factors in determining fault in red light crashes. If a driver enters an intersection against a red light, they are generally considered at fault for the accident.

This rule is reinforced by state law in all states. In Arizona, Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 28-645(3) requires vehicles facing a steady red signal to stop and remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown, and similarly, Virginia’s Va. Code Ann § 46.2-833 provides that vehicles facing any red signal must first stop.  Traffic camera footage, police reports, and witness statements can provide crucial evidence to confirm whether a violation occurred.

Right-of-way laws also play a significant role in establishing liability. Drivers with a green light or those making legal turns have the right of way, and any driver who disregards this is likely to be held responsible.

However, proving a right-of-way violation may require additional evidence beyond traffic signals, such as vehicle positioning and impact points. Investigators analyze tire marks to determine braking patterns and impact angles, which can indicate whether a driver tried to stop or was traveling at an unsafe speed. This type of evidence is especially useful when there are conflicting accounts of the accident.

Eyewitness testimony can further clarify fault by providing independent accounts of the crash. Witnesses may confirm whether a driver ran a red light, was distracted, or engaged in reckless behavior before the accident. Their statements can strengthen a claim when combined with physical evidence and official reports.

Exceptions

While general rules apply in most red-light crashes, there are exceptions that can change how fault is determined. These exceptions often depend on unique circumstances, traffic laws, and available evidence.

One common exception is when an emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance or fire truck, legally proceeds through a red light. Drivers are required to yield their right-of-way to these vehicles.

In Illinois, for instance, 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/11-907 requires drivers to yield their right-of-way once they approach emergency vehicles using their audible and visual signals, and immediately drive to a position parallel to or as close as possible to the right-hand edge of the road. Failure to do so can shift liability.

Another exception occurs when a driver enters an intersection under a yellow light that turns red while they are crossing. In states with permissive yellow light laws like Florida (Fla. Stat. § 316.075), they may not be at fault if they had no reasonable opportunity to stop safely.

Malfunctioning traffic signals can also create exceptions, as drivers may be forced to treat the intersection as a four-way stop. In these cases, fault is determined based on which driver had the right of way.

Comparative negligence can also come into play, if both drivers share some responsibility. If one driver ran a red light but the other was speeding excessively, fault may be divided between them.

But it is important to point out that only 45 states use follow comparative negligence rules, and even then, 30 use modified comparative negligence, while the other follow pure comparative negligence.

This is a very important distinction because if you are in a modified comparative negligence state, you may be barred from recovering damages if you are 50% or 51% or more at fault, depending on the state. 

In Idaho, a party that is 50% or more responsible will be stopped from recovering according to Idaho Code § 6-801, while in New Hampshire a party has to be 51% or more responsible to be barred from recovery under N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 507:7-d.

Meanwhile, in pure comparative negligence states like Louisiana (La. Civ. Code Art. 2323) and New York (N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 1411), you will be allowed to recover damages no matter how much of the accident you are responsible for. 

However, your damages will be reduced in proportion to the damages you have caused, so if, say, you were responsible for 70% of the accident and your total damages should be $10,000, you will be entitled to only $3,000.

Dashcam footage or witness statements can help clarify if an exception applies. Without clear evidence, insurance companies may still assign fault based on standard traffic laws.

What Options Do You Have?

If you have been in a red-light accident, you have a number of legal options that can help ensure that you get compensated for any damages (personal or to property) that you have suffered. Some of these options are:

Claim with the relevant insurer

Filing a claim with the relevant insurer is a critical step after a red-light accident, but the success of the claim heavily depends on strong supporting evidence. The appropriate insurer varies based on state insurance laws, the type of damage sustained, and who is at fault for the accident.

In no-fault states like Michigan and Pennsylvania, drivers must file a claim with their own insurance provider, but compensation may be limited to medical expenses and lost wages. 

In at-fault states like California and Texas, the injured party can seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurer, which typically covers a broader range of damages, including pain, suffering and property damage.

If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, the victim may need to rely on their own uninsured motorist coverage (if they have one). A well-documented claim with medical records, repair estimates, and expert opinions strengthens the case and reduces the likelihood of a lowball settlement offer.

Negotiate a better settlement

Negotiating a better settlement is essential to ensuring fair compensation after a red-light accident. Insurance companies often start with low offers, hoping claimants will accept less than they deserve.

The most effective way to secure a higher payout is by hiring legal counsel, as experienced attorneys understand how to counter lowball offers with strong evidence and legal arguments. With skilled representation, victims can maximize their settlement and avoid unfair compromises.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Filing a personal injury lawsuit may be necessary if settlement negotiations fail or the insurer denies a fair claim. This legal action allows victims to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

An attorney can help build a strong case by gathering evidence, consulting experts, and presenting arguments in court. Even though it may take longer, pursuing legal action ensures that responsible parties are held accountable and that victims receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries and damages.

In Georgia Power Co. v. Davis, 61 Ga. App. 453, 6 S.E.2d 154 (Ga. Ct. App. 1939), Davis brought a personal injury lawsuit against Georgia Power Company because one of its streetcars ran a red light and struck his vehicle at an intersection, seriously injuring him. The Court of Appeals agreed with the trial court ruling and found in his favor.

Explore Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods

Alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation or arbitration, can help resolve red-light accident claims without going to court. These approaches often lead to faster and less costly settlements, allowing both parties to negotiate fair compensation. Your lawyer can guide you through the process to achieve the best possible outcome.

Conclusion

At The Accident Helpers, we can make the aftermath of a red-light crash much easier to navigate. By quickly connecting you with a trusted and experienced attorney in your city who can evaluate your case and guide you through insurance claims or lawsuits, you can focus on your recovery.

So, reach out to us today, one of our consultants will get the facts of your case, and we will immediately begin the process of finding you an attorney. Our services are entirely free; contact us now!