Involved in a Red Light Accident? 

 

Have you experienced an injury due to a driver running a red light? These accidents are all too common today, with approximately 1,000 injury crashes occurring at signalized intersections every single day in the United States. On average, someone runs a red light every 20 minutes in the nation’s urban areas. This negligent driving behavior can lead to serious injuries, such as: 

 

  • Broken bones 
  • Head trauma
  • Abrasions and bruises
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Internal bleeding
  • Organ damage
  • Even death

 

Red light accidents occur when drivers fail to stop at a red light, or they just stop too suddenly. When the roadways are busy, this kind of driving behavior can result in multiple car crashes. A safe stopping distance is about three car lengths, but this can be challenging at high speeds. Drivers often decide to stop at the last second, which puts everyone on the road around them at risk. It may be too late for the driver behind them to stop safely, so they rear-end the car that stopped so suddenly. A crash occurs, sometimes involving several vehicles at once. red light accident bakersfield california

What to Do in a Red Light Crash

There are several steps that you should take when you have been hit at a red light. 

 

  1. Navigate to a safe location – If no one has been seriously hurt in the accident, you should move your vehicle away from the intersection, such as to the shoulder of the road or somewhere else safe nearby, as long as your car is still operable and can do so safely. If someone has been seriously injured, however, you should wait for emergency personnel to arrive.
  2. Check on other vehicles involved – After you have ensured the safety of yourself and your passengers, you should check on the other drivers. If anyone appears unresponsive or injured, you shouldn’t try to move them. Call 911 for help at the scene. 
  3. Fill out an accident report – When the police officers arrive, they will have you go over the details of the accident and fill out a report. It’s best to do this as soon as possible while the accident is still fresh in your mind. This will help you when you need to review the accident with the insurance companies. You should be given an incident report number so that you can get a copy of the report later. 
  4. Take photos and/or videos of the scene – Ensure that you capture the vehicles involved clearly showing any property damage. It’s also a good idea to take photos of the location where the accident occurred in case there is any evidence left behind at the scene. 
  5. Gather contact information – Before you leave, you should make sure that you have all of the contact information, including insurance information(I added this), from the other drivers as well as any witnesses to the crash. 
  6. Seek medical attention – Regardless of how minor you think your injuries might be at the time of the accident, you should still get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible. This can ensure that any hidden injuries are uncovered before they have a chance to progress. And if you have to seek compensation for your injuries, these records will be crucial to prove the extent of your injuries. If you wait too long, it can adversely impact your claim because the other side could argue that you weren’t injured enough to require immediate medical assistance. 
  7. Consult with a lawyer – When you have been injured in an accident involving a red light, you should consult with an auto accident attorney right away. At the Law Office of Kyle W. Jones, we can provide you with timely advice for moving forward with an auto accident claim.

When Should I Speak With the Insurance Company?

This is an important question that’s often asked by our Bakersfield clients. The best answer is to wait until you have legal representation in place. This is because the other driver’s insurance company won’t work in your best interest like your lawyer will. Insurance companies are only concerned with their bottom line, which means that they will try to pay you as little as possible for your injuries. They may even use deceptive language and other tactics to get you to admit fault or something else that could limit your claim. 

 

A lawyer from the Law Office of Kyle W. Jones will be able to guide you on the right things to say to the insurance company, represent you in settlement negotiations, and help you handle any paperwork along the way. In cases where a settlement can’t be reached, your lawyer will be able to represent you in court to pursue the compensation that you deserve. 

What Should I Include in My Claim?

An auto accident claim will usually include several components. 

 

    • Vehicle repairs: The insurance company will have you obtain a written estimate for what it will take to fix your vehicle. This amount should be added to your claim. 
    • Health care costs: Your claim should also include any fees you paid or will have to pay for medical care related to the injuries that you incurred in the red light accident. This can include emergency care, follow-up visits, and rehabilitative care like physical therapy. 
  • Lost wages: In a serious accident, you may need to take time off to recover. If you have been seriously hurt, you may not be able to return to the workforce in the same manner as before. Your lawyer will work closely with you to determine if you are eligible to pursue compensation for lost wages or future lost income. 
  • Pain and suffering/emotional distress: An auto accident can leave you with severe physical and emotional pain. If this happens to you, a lawyer can help you move forward with the right legal action to pursue damages. 

Should I Go to Court?

In most cases, an auto accident claim can be settled outside the courtroom. You and your lawyer will determine an appropriate amount to attempt to recover from the insurance company. Then, the insurance company will either approve the amount or provide a counter offer, which is usually less than what you originally asked for. If the offer seems unreasonable, your lawyer will continue to negotiate with them through this back-and-forth process until a fair agreement has been reached. However, in some cases, both parties are unable to come to an agreement, and they must move forward to trial litigation. With the Law Office of Kyle W. Jones, you can trust that we will be prepared to represent you regardless of where your case takes you. 

Contact an Auto Accident Attorney 

At the Law Office of Kyle W. Jones, we represent clients all over the Central Valley who have been hurt in auto accidents involving a red light runner. If you believe that your injuries are the result of a negligent driver, we want to help. We understand that every accident is different from the next, so we carefully review the details of each case and provide personalized recommendations for moving forward. Our ultimate goal is to help you recover maximum compensation for your injuries. To request a free, no-obligation quote, contact our law firm today. 

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