With two vehicles being in motion, accidents involving a driver running a red light can be extremely dangerous. As per the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 28% of all traffic crash fatalities that occur at intersections with traffic signals are caused by red light violations. Just about all of such accidents are perfectly preventable.
Pennsylvania Red Light Law
Pennsylvania law on red lights is simple. Drivers who approach a red light must completely stop before reaching a crosswalk or intersection. They can only proceed ahead when the light turns green. Drivers can turn right on red if there is no sign posted prohibiting turning right. Drivers might even be able to turn left from a one-way street onto another one-way street. If a driver comes upon a flashing red light, he or she must stop completely and proceed only when it is safe to do so.
Common Causes of Red Light Accidents
State highways and county roads are where many red light running accidents occur. Many of such accidents also occur on Philadelphia streets. They can happen for any number of reasons like the following:
- Operation of a motor vehicle while distracted by a cellular device, infotainment center or other source of distraction.
- Traveling at a speed that is too fast to prepare to stop.
- Trying to beat a yellow light before it turns red.
- Attempting unsafe left or right turns.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two.
- Malfunctioning traffic signals.
At the time of this article, there was a terrible accident at Front Street and Hunting Park in North Philadelphia. According to reports, a 32-year-old driver of a car was severely injured, and his 22-year-old passenger died in a midnight red light accident in May 2020.
Allegations of Comparative Negligence
For purposes of trying to mitigate its losses, one of the allegations that a negligent driver’s insurance company will make after its insured person caused an accident after failing to stop for a red light is that the injured victim either caused or was partially at fault for the crash. That’s why proving that the other driver’s light was red at the time of impact is so important. Witnesses at the scene can be of help, and traffic or security cameras can paint a precise picture of exactly what happened. No matter what the opposing insurer’s adjuster says, it’s probably best to never give that insurer any type of a written or recorded statement without an attorney from our offices being present on your behalf.
Contact a Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer
If a driver runs a red light, he or she puts everybody else who is on or near the roadway in danger. If you were injured by a driver who ran a red light, or if a family member died as a result of a red light accident, contact a highly rated Philadelphia Auto Accident Lawyer such as Edith Pearce. Unlike the huge firms with dozens of attorneys and many different attorneys handling different aspects of your case, Edith Pearce is personally involved in every case that we handle. She genuinely cares about her clients and you will not be treated like just another case or file.
