About Red Light Running Accidents in Auburn

It’s no surprise that many people are tempted to save a little bit of time by running that yellow light to avoid sitting at the stoplight. Unfortunately, it’s also very common to misjudge a stoplight and run through a red light. Red light car accidents can be devastating for everyone involved, causing serious injuries and significant property damage.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a red-light accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Find out now by calling Haygood, Cleveland, Pierce, Thompson & Short at 334-821-3892.

How Alabama Views Liability

First, you’ll need to know about the concept of contributory negligence. This is used in Alabama, so it has a direct impact on your case. Contributory negligence means that you may not be able to recover any compensation in court if the jury finds that you had any liability in the accident. Even if you are only 1% liable for the accident, the jury would leave you with nothing. Most other states use a comparative negligence rule. This reduces the amount of compensation you receive in proportion to your liability.

This means that you’ll need to weigh your options carefully while negotiating. If your case goes to court, you risk walking away with nothing.

Red Light Accidents Can Have Devastating Consequences

This type of accident can often cause severe or fatal injuries. When someone runs a red light, they generally do so at high speed—either because they thought the yellow light had more time or because they were distracted and didn’t even check the light.

If you are crossing the intersection at the speed limit, this combination could cause tens of thousands of dollars in property damage and even more in medical bills. These accidents often leave entire intersections shut down for hours and result in multiple devastating injuries.

You should also know that many red-light accidents cause significant damage to public property. When a car T-bones you and pushes you through the intersection, you could hit the median, the stoplight on the opposite side, and barriers in the middle of the road. Not only do these barriers cause a lot of damage to your vehicle, but they are also very expensive to fix. This could all affect your claim.

Serious Injuries Are Likely

It’s important to seek medical attention after a red-light accident. Because of the speed of these accidents and the significant force involved in a crash where neither party is slowing down, you could sustain serious injuries. Possible injuries include broken bones, internal bleeding, organ damage, traumatic brain injuries, and amputations.

Some of these injuries are not immediately visible, which may mislead victims into thinking that they do not need to go to the doctor. This delays the process of getting lifesaving care, and when those serious injuries come to light, it may already be too late. No matter how you feel after a car accident, make it a priority to see a doctor right away.

You May Be Owed Compensation

If someone else is liable for the accident that caused your injuries, it is likely that you are entitled to compensation. However, you’ll need to prove liability before you can get what you deserve. A full and fair settlement may include money for your medical bills, your lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more.

The other party’s insurance company is unlikely to pay up without a fight, so it’s crucial to talk to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after a red-light accident. They can investigate the accident, figure out how much your injuries may be worth, and fight the insurance company on your behalf. This allows you to focus strictly on your own healing and recovery.

Explore Your Legal Options with Haygood, Cleveland, Pierce, Thompson & Short

The sooner you contact our team of personal injury attorneys, the sooner we can start investigating your case and building your claim. Set up a consultation with Haygood, Cleveland, Pierce, Thompson & Short right now by contacting us online or calling us at 334-821-3892.