Car Accident Information, Car Accidents, Distracted Driving

A Closer Look At Red Light Accidents

Red Light Accidents.

The running of red traffic lights is a serious problem across the United States. A yellow light is intended to signal to drivers that they should slow down and come to a complete stop. Instead, many drivers speed up upon seeing a yellow light to try to miss the red light and end up running it instead. According to statistics, collisions occurring as a result of a run red light often result in serious injuries and, in some cases, even death.

In 2013, 697 people were killed and an estimated 127,000 were injured in accidents that involved a driver running a red light. Statistics also show that drivers most frequently run red lights in the afternoon, with about 30% of all red light violations occurring between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

A report from the National Coalition for Safer Roads found that Houston, Texas is the most dangerous city in the United States for red light running, with 181 red light fatalities between 2004 and 2013. The study also found that red light running peaks during summer months and that 36% of drivers regularly run red lights or have run red lights previously.

If you’ve been injured in a red light accident, contact an Austin car accident attorney immediately. Drivers who run red lights often try to deny liability for a collision or shift some of the blame to another driver by claiming that they had a green light and the right of way when they did not. An experienced attorney will know how and where to gather the evidence necessary to defeat this type of defense – ensuring that you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

For more information, contact Terry & Kelly, PLLC at 512-910-2000 or through our website.