Running a red light is relatively common as people rush to get where they are going. However, it happens by accident most of the time. Not paying attention, speeding, and misjudging a light are common causes of red light running. However, running a red light can cause a serious accident.
If you or a loved one is hit by a car that runs a red light, consulting a Chicago red light lawyer can help. You may have a case to recover compensation from the other driver, which can help you cover your accident-related expenses. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 to learn more about your legal options.
Common Red Light Accidents
When cars run red lights, there are several types of accidents that can happen. These include:
- Rear-end collisions: A rear-end collision is when a car hits the back of another one. This type of accident is common when a car speeds trying to beat a red light, but the cars in front of it are not traveling quickly.
- T-bone collisions: T-bone collisions occur when a car hits another car on its side, creating a T shape. This is common when a car tries to beat a red light after the lights have already switched for traffic in multiple directions. This type of crash is exceedingly dangerous because it offers the least protection from safety devices.
- Turn collisions: Turn collisions can happen when a car is making a turn but a car in the opposite direction runs a red light.
There are other types of collisions that can happen that are not covered on this list. While some types of accidents are more severe than others, all car accident injuries have the potential to be serious. Seek medical attention as soon as possible after the accident, if you have not done so already. Then you can consult a Chicago red light lawyer to see what your legal options are. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to learn more.
Determining Fault
In a red light crash, determining fault is relatively easy. If a car runs a red light, that driver is nearly always responsible for the accident. This is because the driver did not have the right of way and violated the rules governing how traffic signals work.
The Federal Highway Administration has found that red light running is the most common and dangerous type of accident. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety confirms that red light running incidents have increased dramatically over the last 10 years, killing more than two people every day on U.S. roads.
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Long-Term Impacts
Organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also report consistent increases in the number of red light running accidents and fatalities. These accidents can have long-term impacts for both violators and victims. Being hit by a red light runner can result in serious injuries or even death. These injuries can take a long time to recover from or lead to disabilities.
Aside from any physical damage that occurs, there may also be a significant amount of mental trauma that can have lasting effects. Victims of accidents can suffer from trauma and have trouble driving in the future. Mental health services can be a positive intervention, but the cost may be difficult to afford. This is just one of the reasons why working with a Chicago red light lawyer may be a good option—the victim can receive compensation to help pay for medical expenses and other costs.
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Causes of Red Light Accidents
Red light accidents happen for a variety of reasons. These can include:
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of red light and other types of accidents. If a distraction takes a driver’s focus off the road for even a second too long, that driver can incorrectly time a light and cause an accident.
- Speeding: Traffic lights are designed to change with the posted speed limit. Excessive speeding toward a traffic light makes it difficult to time a stop or pass-through well. Often, drivers speed through the light and cause an accident on the other side by running into a car that turned into the lane or passed through ahead of them.
- Drunk driving: Drunk driving makes it very difficult to drive a car, let alone time red light stops properly. There have been many cases where drunk drivers have driven through red lights at the wrong time and caused accidents.
Any time you stop at a red light and it turns green, be sure to wait a few seconds and look around to see if there are any cars still passing through the intersection. While you cannot stop other cars from running red lights, you can try to avoid them as often as possible.
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Statute of Limitations
Being hit by a red light runner may lead to a personal injury lawsuit. If you are thinking of filing a lawsuit, then you should consult a Chicago red light lawyer as soon as possible. There is a statute of limitations—or a legal time limit—for how long you have to file your lawsuit.
The statute of limitations for red light accidents applies to personal injury, meaning any injuries that you sustained during the accident. In Illinois, you have a maximum of two years to file a personal injury lawsuit
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Contact a Lawyer to Discuss Your Case
If you or a loved one is injured in a red light accident, consult a Chicago red light lawyer as soon as possible. You may be able to file a personal injury case to collect compensation for your injury-related expenses. Contact Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 to discuss your case with our team.
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