When a traffic light turns from green to yellow, drivers are supposed to slow down and come to a stop. This is even more true when the light changes from yellow to red. Unfortunately, some drivers across America choose to press on the gas instead of the break to try to “beat” a light change. When a driver runs a red light, however, innocent pedestrians and motorists crossing the intersection can be seriously or even fatally injured. If you or someone you care about has been hurt by a driver in Nevada who ran a red light, you may be able to pursue monetary compensation for losses suffered.
The Dangers of Running Red Lights
While the majority of car accidents happen on interstates and freeways, there are numerous red light violations that happen in Las Vegas that result in car accidents and injuries for those involved. Red light accidents can result in serious injuries and death. There are many causes of red light accidents in Nevada. The most common causes include:
- Driving under the influence;
- Distracted drivers not observing light signals;
- Bad weather blocking a driver’s view of the light signal; and
- Motorists speeding through traffic lights.
The most common injuries that result from red light car accident:s include
- Broken bones;
- Cuts and bruises;
- Soft tissue injuries;
- Brain and spinal cord injuries; and
- Death.
Not surprisingly, a negligent driver’s car insurance company will claim that the driver did not actually run a red light. In fact, the other driver’s insurance company may blame you for the crash.
In typical red light intersection accidents, the first car lawfully entered the intersection on a yellow or green light and a second car, entering on a red light, slams into the first. For this reason, most of the time the driver who ran the red light is held legally liable for injuries caused by the traffic violation. When a red light accident happens, it usually is a violent collision that results in major property damage and severe injuries to the drivers and passengers.
The Statistics
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as well as other traffic agencies track drivers who speed and those who run red lights under differing categories. Nonetheless, running a red light and speeding often go hand in hand. More than 9,700 people were killed in 2018 in traffic-related accidents due to speeding, according to NHTSA data.
Moreover, research conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that there were 811 red light-related deaths in 2016. The IIHS’s 2015 national urban crash study revealed that 22% of all accidents that year involved stop signs, red lights, and other traffic control devices. Drivers who regularly speed, according to related studies, are more likely to run a red light and engage in other risky driving behaviors.
Finally, the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) found that 846 car accident-related fatalities and pedestrian and bicycle fatalities occurred in 2018 occurred as a result of driver’s running red lights.
Contact Our Attorneys
At Matt Pfau Law Group, our highly qualified Las Vegas personal injury attorneys have years of experience helping injured victims across Nevada. Contact us today for your initial case evaluation to learn about how we can help.
