Maison Law helps those injured in car accidents in California. Whether they’re along a busy road or at one of the thousands of intersections throughout the state, running a red light is one of the leading causes of car accidents. This can leave you facing serious injuries, but it also gives you certain legal options. To learn more, contact us today for a free consultation.
What Kinds of Car Accidents Happen Because of Running a Red Light?
It’s not surprising that running a red light leads to car accidents. In fact, the reason that running a red light is the sixth leading cause of car accidents in California is because it’s among the most aggressive things a person can do when driving.
According to the 2023 California Safe Roads’ Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP), 34% of serious injuries in California car accidents were the result of aggressive driving, which includes running red lights.
This, obviously, can lead to many different kinds of accidents. But most notably, it results in:
- Rear-end accidents – These happen when one vehicle hits the back of another that’s stopped or slowing down, often because the driver behind is rushing to beat a red light.
- T-bone accidents – These occur when a vehicle crashes into the side of another, forming a “T” shape. This often happens because a driver runs a red light or fails to yield to oncoming traffic.
- Head-on accidents – These severe accidents involve two vehicles colliding front to front, often at an intersection. Running a red light, distracted driving, or impaired driving are common causes.
- Sideswipe accidents – These happen when two vehicles traveling in the same direction collide, usually when one driver tries to change lanes at an intersection, usually right before or after running a red light.
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents – These are among the most serious accidents that happen when drivers run red lights, not giving pedestrians or cyclists enough time to cross at intersections, leading to serious injuries or fatalities.
Again, while it’s easy to see how running a red light causes a car accident, it’s unfortunately very serious because of the factors mentioned above. But it’s also a fairly stark example of negligence, which gives you certain legal options.
For more information, you can visit our blog naming the other top ten causes of California car accidents.
What Legal Options Do You Have After One of These Car Accidents?
You obviously never want to get hurt in any type of car accident, but the fact is, a lot of people are out there on the road in California, and not all of them are careful 100% of the time. So, when someone tries to run a red light and causes an accident, you could be facing serious injuries. But you also have legal options, namely the ability to file an injury claim to recover “damages.”
Generally, you can do this by:
- Filing an insurance claim
- Filing a lawsuit
Usually, the process starts with you filing an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. They’ll look into the accident and offer a settlement. Insurance companies’ main goal is to try to pay as little as possible. Our team can help you build a strong case and negotiate for a fair amount.
If the insurance offer isn’t enough, you might need to file a personal injury lawsuit. We’ll handle the legal process, starting with filing the lawsuit in court. Both sides will share evidence, and if mediation doesn’t work, the case will go to trial where a judge and jury will decide the final verdict. The lawsuit seeks to cover damages like:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life or companionship
- Wrongful death expenses
- Punitive damages, in cases of intentional or reckless negligence
With these damages, it’s very important to understand that your claim is going to depend on how well you present your case. So, every case proceeds differently. But with our team’s support, we’ll evaluate your case and guide you through every step.
Contact Maison Law After a Car Accident in California From Running a Red Light
If you’ve been involved in a car accident caused by someone running a red light in California, it’s important to get legal help right away. Dealing with the aftermath can be overwhelming, but having Maison Law’s experienced lawyers by your side is crucial for protecting your rights.
We have a proven track record of successfully representing clients in these types of cases. We will work diligently to:
- Investigate your accident
- Gather evidence
- Build a compelling case on your behalf
Don’t wait–if you’ve been hurt in one of these car accidents, contact us today for a free consultation.
