Injured in a Red Light Accident? Call us now!

Red light runners cause countless accidents every year here in the state of California. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 846 people lost their lives in crashes caused by red light running in just the year 2018 alone. It is an extremely dangerous practice that happens all too often in the United States.

Red light accidents often involve serious injuries that could have been easily avoided if only the driver had acted responsibly and stopped at the red light. Common injuries incurred by red light running include:

• Abrasions or bruises
• Broken bones
• Whiplash
• Back or leg injury
• Brain or spinal cord injury
• Dislocated limbs
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Death

If another driver ran a red light and caused an accident that resulted in harm to you or a loved one, that driver is responsible for your injuries. Every motorist should adhere to the “duty of care” legal principle, which means that they should not intentionally drive in a way that could put another individual in harm’s way. Running a red light on purpose violates that duty, so the driver will likely be found liable for any injuries sustained to victims during the crash.

What to Do After the Accident

If you or someone you love has been injured due to the recklessness of another driver, you may have some questions about what you should do next. Getting medical attention for any immediate health needs should be the first step that you take after an accident. Obtain a copy of any medical records or healthcare bills that are related to the accident. If you have been left with a disabling injury, be sure to include any physician recommendations for the rehabilitative care that you will require to recover in the months or years to come. These will all help strengthen your claim.

After being treated, the next thing you should do is call a Bakersfield auto accident attorney. People often make the mistake of speaking with the at-fault driver’s insurance company without attorney representation. This can result in lost financial opportunities because many individuals don’t have the expertise to thoroughly evaluate damages. They may overlook something they should have included in their claim, so they lose out on thousands of dollars in potential compensation.

Insurance agents may use manipulative tactics to get you to admit fault or otherwise say something that could reduce the value of your claim. A Bakersfield injury attorney will be able to review your case and advise you on how to handle the insurance company so that you don’t say the wrong thing. At the Law Office of Kyle W. Jones, we help drivers just like you navigate the claims process and work to get them the compensation they need to fully recover from their accident.

We can help you calculate the value of any missed work or future lost income if your injury has left you unable to work in the same manner as before the accident. If the other party refuses to admit fault, we can work with accident reconstruction experts and investigators to prove their liability so there’s no room for doubt. Our meticulous work can help you achieve a better result for your case than you could have on your own.

Avoiding Red Light Accidents

There are some things that you can do to help prevent red light accidents from happening again in the future. While some accidents are just entirely unavoidable, the following tips can help minimize your risk when you’re out on the road.

• Avoid speeding through a yellow light. This habit increases your chance of getting hit by a red light runner. As you each cross the intersection, the other car would likely hit your vehicle on its side, which can cause severe injuries, or even death, to occupants. This is because the sides of an automobile aren’t as heavily protected as the front and the rear of the vehicle.
• Remain alert of other drivers. So often, we become so focused on driving that we may not pay much attention to the other drivers or the flow of traffic around us. Keep in mind that drivers are human and will make mistakes. They often choose to multitask while driving, which increases the chance that they will run a red light or make another poor traffic decision that can put your life at risk. If you see a driver who is acting erratically on the road, get as far away from them as you can, even if it means taking an earlier exit.
• Don’t trust that other drivers will stop. When your red light turns green, make sure to pause before you enter the intersection. You should take a few seconds to ensure the path is clear of opposite traffic before moving your vehicle. Those few seconds can save you a lot of time and trouble you would otherwise have dealing with the aftermath of an accident.

Consequences of Red Light Running

Running a red light is typically considered aggressive driving by the law. This is because the drivers in question have shown blatant disregard for their safety and the safety of the others they may impact as a result of their reckless actions. When ticketed for red light running, drivers in California incur one point against their license. If they receive four points within a 12-month period, they risk license suspension and heavy fines. Drivers can also expect a significant increase in their insurance premiums, so it pays to be vigilant out on the road and avoid running red lights at all costs.

Contact Our Law Office Today

If you have been hurt in an accident that was caused by a red light runner, you should know your legal rights. The Law Office of Kyle W. Jones can provide you with a free case evaluation in the Bakersfield area. We’ll work hard to help you achieve maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact our firm today to schedule your appointment.

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