Crashes Caused by Running a Red Light

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on June 11, 2013

Many of the most devastating Washington car accidents occur at street intersections. Drivers who run red lights are often responsible for fatal or serious injury accidents that could have easily been prevented. According to the 2011 Washington State Collision Data Summary, there were six fatal collisions, 50 serious injury collisions, and 1,375 minor injury collisions resulting from drivers disregarding stop and go lights.

Under Washington State Statute 46.61.050, “The driver of any vehicle, every bicyclist, and every pedestrian shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device applicable thereto placed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, unless otherwise directed by a traffic or police officer.”

If you have been injured in a street intersection accident caused by a red light runner, you can file a claim against the at-fault driver to receive compensation for your injuries. Plaintiffs must prove that the at-fault driver was reckless or negligent. It may be necessary to rely on eyewitness accounts, police reports, intersection cameras, or footage from nearby building security cameras. A skilled Washington car accident attorney will track down all possible pieces of evidence to support your claim.

Damages that may be covered by a successful personal injury claim include medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning potential, disability benefits, property damages, and pain and suffering. Unfortunately, it is common for drivers to deny responsibility for their actions and for their insurance providers to offer inadequate settlements. An experienced Seattle personal injury lawyer at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S., reachable at (888) 228-3860, will be able to advise injured victims and their families in such cases about their legal rights and options.