Accidents Caused by Traffic Signal Violations

We often witness someone running a red light or otherwise disobeying a traffic signal in order to rush to his or her destination. These selfish and reckless acts can lead to serious collisions and life-altering injuries. The Miami car accidents at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon are dedicated to making sure that the victims of such accidents are properly compensated by the drivers who may be responsible. If you have been struck by a driver who ran a red light, we are ready to assist you.

Running a red light or otherwise violating a traffic signal can result not only in a traffic ticket but also in devastating harm to other drivers, passengers, bicyclists, or pedestrians. In 2013, almost 700 people in the U.S. were killed as a result of a red-light running accident, with an estimated 127,000 injuries sustained. In urban areas, motorists are more likely to be injured in a crash involving running a red light than in any other type of collision.

When an accident occurs due to a driver’s failure to obey a traffic signal, officers called to the scene will often issue a citation to the driver they determine to be at fault. These citations can be given for careless driving, running a red light, or failing to yield the right of way. Often, a citation can be used as a basis for determining who is responsible for injuries sustained in a collision. Witnesses and other testimony, such as accident reconstruction or camera footage, may also be essential in making sure that those who caused the accident are held liable.

If you were injured as a result of a driver who has disobeyed a traffic signal, you likely can recover damages for your harm through a personal injury lawsuit. These claims most often allege a defendant’s negligence in causing an accident. To show negligence, an injured plaintiff must establish that:

• The defendant owed the victim a duty of reasonable care;
• The defendant breached that duty;
• The breach caused the plaintiff’s injuries; and
• Damages resulted.

Drivers owe all others on the road a duty of care to act as a reasonable and prudent driver would act under similar circumstances. A driver who speeds through a red light or otherwise fails to obey traffic signals, hitting a pedestrian or another motorist, likely would be viewed as acting unreasonably. Damages that may be recoverable in these types of cases include past and future medical costs, loss of income, lost earning capacity, vehicle repairs, and pain and suffering. If a victim dies as a result of a red-light accident, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim against the party responsible to seek compensation for burial and funeral costs, as well as damages based on their relationship to the victim.

If you have been injured in an accident as a motorist, pedestrian, or bicyclist, the Miami car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon can put their experience and knowledge to work on your behalf. Our firm guides clients through the legal process, protecting their legal rights. Call 877.499.4878 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with a motor vehicle collision attorney. We also represent people in Miami, West Palm Beach, and other cities throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties.