Fort Worth Attorney Explains What Drivers Need To Know To Stay Safe
Drivers who run a red light and cause bad car accidents can be found anywhere in the country. Each year, many drivers run red lights and crash into another vehicle. But when it comes to these types of crashes, Texas is right near the top of the list, coming in second nationwide for the most red-light running accidents. And the problem’s only getting worse in the Lone Star State.
“It's a big problem here in Texas,” Daniel Armbruster with AAA Texas said in an interview with CBS News Austin. Armbruster was discussing the agency’s findings in 2019, when Texas hit a 10-year high for the number of red-light running fatalities – 101 deaths.
More recently, the National Coalition for Safer Roads ranked Texas 2nd nationwide for red-light running fatalities. Only California had more fatalities with 128 deaths. However, per capita, Texas had 7.5 percent more red-light running fatalities than California.
How Common Are Red-Light Running Accidents?
Drivers who run red lights cause thousands of intersection accidents every year. Nationwide, such drivers caused 846 fatalities and an estimated 143,000 injuries in 2019, according to statistics compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). That’s one injury every three minutes and 40 seconds.
In addition, more than half of the red-light running fatalities involved bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers or passengers in other vehicles struck by drivers who ran a red light, according to the IIHS study.
Why Do These Car Accidents Happen?
The IIHS study of accidents involving red-light runners found several patterns among drivers who cause such collisions. Many of the drivers who run red lights are “more likely” to be male, younger, not have a valid driver’s license and have been previously involved in an accident or convicted of drunk driving, the IIHS reported.
Other common reasons why drivers run a red light and crash into another vehicle include:
- Distracted driving, including texting while driving
- Speeding, especially drivers who speed through an intersection soon after a traffic signal turns red
- Tired drivers who fall asleep at the wheel and drive through a red light into another vehicle
These are just some of the reasons why these crashes often occur. Each one is different and requires its own independent investigation. That’s why it’s important to talk to an attorney as soon as possible after your red-light running accident.
Why Should I Hire a Lawyer?
You might wonder why you even need an attorney if another driver ran a red light and crashed into your vehicle. The other driver was clearly at fault. As a result, the at-fault driver’s insurance company should compensate you for your medical care, vehicle repairs, replacement income and other accident-related expenses, right?
Don’t be so sure. Because accident-related expenses can quickly add up to thousands of dollars or significantly more, many insurance companies do everything they can to reduce or deny claims rather than pay injury victims the money they are entitled to under the law.
When you have an experienced car accident attorney on your side, you can demand the money you deserve, whether it’s at the negotiating table in the form of a settlement claim or in a courtroom in the form of a verdict.
In Texas, accident victims trust Coby L. Wooten, Attorney at Law, P.C. in Fort Worth to fight for their rights. Our law firm has years of experience handling such complicated legal cases. As a result, we know exactly what evidence to look for, including traffic camera footage if possible. We also know how to track down witnesses and frequently consult with accident reconstruction experts.
Learn more about how we can help you after your red-light running accident. Contact our law firm and schedule a free case evaluation with a Fort Worth car accident lawyer you can trust to put your best interests first.